Last updated on April 13th, 2021 at 09:19 pm
Diehard hikers live for tough trails. And, more often than not, we’re choosing high quality gear for each journey. A great pair of trusty hiking boots will carry you comfortably through many adventures, so why not try yo keep them longer? It’s the easiest way to save money and enjoy your gear to the fullest. So, we’ve put together this post to share how to take care of hiking boots properly.
Caring for your hiking boots is fairly simple and relatively quick. In fact, with a few techniques and tools you’re well on your way to better hikes. By taking care of their boots, hikers see many more miles and additional seasons out of their favorite boots.
Why Do Hiking Boots Need Maintenance?
It’s easy to kick off your boots after a tough hike and throw yourself into the shower, especially after a cold, muddy trail. In fact, the best I’ve been able to muster at times is to dump mud out pre-hike. However, in recent years I’ve been compelled to care more deeply for my belongings, and I’ve found that it helps preserve them in many ways.
First and foremost hiking boots need to be maintained to boost their longevity. Even the best quality hiking boots wear out faster when exposed to constant moisture and dirt without proper care. In short, mud and water seeps into uppers and creates extra friction or dries producing cracks.
Not only is cracking material unsightly, it weakens waterproofing capabilities and compromises the structure of your boots. So, take care of your boots after every hike to maintain your lacing system, ankle stability, and foot structure.
Basic Hiking Boot Care
Regardless of their quality or price tag, there are basic practices applicable to all boots. And, not only are they simple to perform, these measures are very inexpensive and easy to remember.
Break-In New Hiking Boots
First, your newly purchased hiking boots will need to be broken in. Even if they fit right out of the box, this is a necessary step to size them to your feet.
RELATED: Best Waterproof Hiking Boots for Men
This process is most efficient when carried out gradually and in your normal hiking socks. Start by wearing them around your house and then move on to walking through your neighborhood.
Naturally, leather boots will be more rigid and take a couple weeks to become pliable and give in. However, avoid moistening your boots to speed the process, this can make them break down quicker. We go over this more in depth in our post about breaking in hiking boots.
Thoroughly Clean and Dry Boots
As mentioned above, proper cleaning will prevent your footwear from a quick death. And, you’ll simply need a soft brush or cloth, lukewarm water, and mild soap (like castile soap or saddle soap) to begin.
Start by clearing dirt from the tread, and around the soles. Then, brush each boot’s top extensively; reaching in crevices, paying attention to around laces and eyelets.
Additionally, remove your insoles to scrub separately and wipe the interior to remove sweat. We find that pushing a damp rag into the ankle collar will help guide out dirt. The same goes for drying, push a dry rag into the collar to absorb water.
Finally, to dry, opt for a fan or another slow drying method to preserve your boot materials. We like to use the good-ol’ newspaper trick; stuff wads of dry newspaper into the entire boot and leave overnight at room temperature. And, change out new newspaper every hour or so for quicker results. Furthermore, ensure your boots are fully dry before packing for storage.
Keep Boots Away from Direct and Extreme Heat
Most importantly, proper drying is essential to keeping them from falling apart. However, hiking boots are not made to endure heat!
For example, extreme heat from a fire or heater damages glues and seams that hold their shape. In fact, even the trunk of your car can reach temperatures enough to wear down your best boots.
Apply Conditioner to Flex Points
Boot conditioner is applied to make older leather supple and pliable again. And, conditioner can allow additional flex when added to pressure points such as bunion areas.
It’s also best to apply conditioner to the flex points of your boots when they look dry. Areas such as side of foot and toe box are most prone to creases and cracks. This is especially true in dry weather or after lots of wet trail hikes.
However, do note that over-conditioning can make boots soft and reduce their structural support.
Reapply Waterproofing When Necessary
Occasionally, waterproofing will need to be reapplied. With the constant moistening and drying of my boots, I tend to reapply waterproofing at least once a season. Not only will this protect your feet, it helps keep your boots intact and ready for action.
If your boots are waterproofed, water should bead on the surface instead of being absorbed. You’ll know it’s time to waterproof when you begin noticing moisture saturating the leather.
How to Waterproof Hiking Boots
Just as there are different boot materials, there are various waterproofing products available. It is best to apply waterproof treatment when the boots are still wet from cleaning.
Waterproofing Leather Hiking Boots
For leather boots, we have two subtypes, full grain and nubuck. Side note, the latter needs extra care while cleaning and must not be dipped into water.
Wax is a major component for waterproofing leather boots, and one that we love is Nikwax Waterproofing Wax Liquid for full-grain leather. And, the applicator it comes with makes it easy to apply. Additionally, wax can only be used for full-grain leather, so be sure to choose the correct product for your leather.
For nubuck, we also love Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Leather Waterproofer. We find that it takes a bit of the spray to get into every crevice, but it’s well worth it!
Waterproofing Synthetic Hiking Boots
Just like nubuck leather, synthetic boots don’t have natural waterproofing properties. This is compensated for by a waterproof membrane and the a coating of waterproofing during manufacturing.
For this class, the Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof is suitable. Moreover, it works well with combination footwear, where leather and synthetic materials are both used. Synthetic boots should also be wet before waterproof treatment is applied.
How Long Should Properly Cared for Hiking Boots Last?
Many factors determine how long your hiking boots can keep up with you on the trails. However, maintenance is a main component. According to expert hikers, if you can stick to the above recommendations, you can expect 600-1000 miles out of your favorite boots!
Brush Them Off and Get Going
The trails are awaiting exploration, and getting there in your favorite boots is just a step away. Furthermore, if you also despise the process of buying new boots, keep them a bit longer with good practices. With your boots kept in their optimum state, get ready to see many more miles out of each pair! So, why not give them a good wash after your next trek and make more memories together!
Image Credit: Alan Levine|(source)|Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) — reduced file size and image