Caring for your new boots

Disclaimer - Remember to follow any instructions provided by the manufacturer. The following are recommendations and do not supersede the instructions provided by a products manufacturer.

Step by step book care guide:

1. Condition new boots to help give a better fit.
2. Use pull tags when putting on your boots and take off using hand or boot jack.
3. Alternate boots to avoid fungi and bacteria growth.
4. Allow to dry naturally,
5. Apply a quality leather conditioner,
6. And then polish with boot polish.
7. Do not delay any repairs.

In most cases your new boots have been carefully stored in a box from the date of manufacture till you purchased them. It’s a good idea that once you get your new boots home give each boot a few light coats of a quality leather conditioner to soften the leather giving you a better more comfortable fit.

Hint – Know the leather that your new boots are made from some leathers will require special treatments or may be damaged if the wrong products are applied.

To reduce the over-stretching and the collapse of the back of the boot it is recommended when putting your new boots on to use the tags, loops, or finger holes to help pull the boot onto your foot. And to remove them use your hands or a boot jack to prevent damage to the heel and back of your boots.

Moist, warm, and dark conditions are perfect for the growth of fungi and bacteria which is detrimental to leather. To protect the thin inner lining found in some boots it is recommended to alternate your boots every few days with another pair to allow the boots time to dry from the natural perspiration of wear.

When leather becomes wet from perspiration, rain, or wet grass it should not be ignored. Natural drying is the best way to keep your boots in top condition, even if they have become saturated with water. Force drying by an external source can cause your boots to harden and shrink as the leather dehydrates and in the extreme the leather can burn causing discolouration and weakening of the leather. Once dry use a leather conditioner or boot oil to bring the leather back to its natural suppleness.

Leather is prone to cracking, tearing, hardening, and shrinking when dry. So a careful balance needs to be kept to extend the life of your boots, too much can be just as bad as too little. If you find your leather stiff to touch, has deep creases, or is becoming a lighter colour these can be signs that it is drying out and needs a light condition. Apply the conditioner and gently massage into the leather paying close attention to the areas of most wear e.g. across the toes.

Once the condition of the leather has been addressed then the look of the boot can be worked on. To maintain the colour and lustre of the boot it is necessary to use a quality polish. To use apply using a soft brush or cloth using a small circular motion. Allow the polish to dry slightly then use a soft polishing cloth to buff the leather to bring up a nice shine. Repeat as necessary.