Why should you invest time in outdoor footwear care? Are you ready to prevent painful blisters, extend your boots’ lifespan, and avoid common footwear failures on the trail? Discover how simple maintenance routines can keep your boots performing at their best and protect your investment.
In SHORT…
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What are the essential daily care steps to keep your boots clean and waterproof? Learn when and how to wash, dry, and reproof your footwear for lasting durability and protection.
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How do you avoid common mistakes like over-drying or using the wrong products? Understand why natural air-drying and specialised cleaners matter to preserve your boots’ materials and coatings.
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When should you inspect and repair your boots to prevent failures? Find out how regular checks and simple fixes can save your footwear from cracking, sole separation, and odours before they become a problem.
Outdoor footwear care: Footwear SOS
Back in’t day, we were all told that outdoor footwear care was the most important piece of outdoor equipment to get right. A slightly baggy-fitting pair of trousers won’t ruin your day, but a big nasty blister just might.
Or how about the fabric of your boots splitting or the sole coming off?
Now, obviously we can’t tell you that you’ll never have kit failures, however, we can tell you that the likelihood of it happening will be greatly reduced if you’re happy spending some of your time partaking in some general maintenance.
Sounds easy, right? That’s because it is!
Why should you bother?
To put it simply, you wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and never have it serviced. Like a car, kit needs maintenance to perform at its best for as long as possible.
I’m just going to diverge slightly for the purpose of this argument. As an example, your footwear has a ‘DWR’ — a ‘durable water repellent’ coating.
A 20-year-old boot, jacket, etc, most likely would have had a harmful chemical included (Perfluorinated Chemicals, or ‘PFCs’).
Using this harmful chemical, old primitive coatings would have made the garment or shoe extremely resistant to water and general wear and tear, however, they stick around in the environment for longer than we can imagine.
Fast forward to today, harmful chemicals are no longer being used in any of Nikwax or Grangers’ aftercare products and are being gradually phased out of mass production in the outdoor industry.
That being said, these products will only hold up for a certain amount of time and eventually deteriorate and wear off. Their job is to prevent water, mud and general detritus from soaking into the fabrics of your boots or shoes.
Without this coating, the detritus will simply become one with your footwear, making them heavy, soaking wet, clammy and smelly.
Well, what if I told you this could all be prevented by spending some of your well-earned time on your precious boots? You’d do it in a heartbeat I’d hope!
Some House Rules- key guidelines for outdoor footwear care
Following these simple outdoor footwear care rules, you can add years of life to your favorite pair of shoes or boots.
- If they are muddy, wash them! Don’t let dry or damp mud sit on your footwear for long periods of time as it’ll increase rot in the stitching and dry out the fabrics.
- If the outer fabric is wet, air dry only, ideally away from direct sunlight and not next to or on a heat source; this will cause leathers to crack and glues to fail.
- If the boot is wet on the inside , take out the footbed, give your shoes or boots an inch of water inside and very gently clean with Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel or Grangers Footwear Cleaner in a small circular motion. Do not use a hard brush as this could damage the inner fabrics or membrane. Fill them with loose balls of newspaper until they are saturated — keep repeating until dry.
- If you notice that your outer footwear is no longer repelling water or the leather is looking dry, it’s time for a deep clean and reproof.
How to Wash Fabric & Leather Footwear
1. Remove loose dirt and debris from the outer by rinsing with cool water.
If it helps, you can remove the laces for easier access to the intricate crevices of your footwear.
2. Grab your footwear cleaner (don’t use washing up liquid, Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel or Grangers Footwear Cleaner both work) and apply it to the outer of your footwear.
Use a nylon brush (a nail brush is ideal!) to work the cleaner into the fabrics.
Do the same for the sole unit but be prepared for some splash back!
3. Whip out the footbed, fill the boot with around an inch of water and carefully clean the inner fabrics with the same Nikwax or Grangers products.
Don’t use any tough brushes here as it could damage the inner fabrics or worse,
the membrane of your boot if it has one.
4. Allow to air-dry — this means no radiators, fires, tumble driers or forced drying.
Loosely scrunch up pieces of newspaper and place inside the boots if you want to speed up the process; just don’t squeeze them in there too tightly as it could distort your boots while they’re wet and pliable.
Outdoor footwear care: Inspection Time
Okay, now it’s time to determine whether you need to reproof your boots or not.
Once dry, pour a little water on the uppers. Is it beading off nicely or is it simply sinking into the fabric?
If the latter is true, you’ll need to follow the below. In the case of leather footwear, if the leather is looking a little dry, you’ll also need to read on. If not, you’re good to go.
Reproofing Your Footwear (Fabric)
1. Dampen your footwear again. Yes, I know this sounds counterintuitive, but trust me.
2. Use either Grangers Performance Repel+ or Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof and follow the instructions on the bottle. More often than not, it’s just a matter of applying, leaving a few moments and wiping off the excess. Same as waxing a car.
3. Leave to dry out of direct sunlight. Done.
Reproofing Your Footwear (Leather)
1. Are the uppers dry and faded? If so, you’ll have to repeat this step a few times.
2. Here we’ll be using Grangers G-Wax — this is ideal for those looking for a traditional method. Apply a small amount of wax with a clean cloth, or if you prefer, you can use your fingertips; this helps to warm the product and makes it easier to apply to dry boots. Rub in circular motions until it sinks in.
3. Repeat if necessary. By ‘necessary’, we mean if the leather still looks dry. Ideally, your boots will need 2 – 3 layers worth to help soak up the goodness from the beeswax. If it’s darker and glossier than before, the chances are it’s good to go.
4. Leave to dry out of direct sunlight.
Reproofing Your Footwear (Nubuck & Suede)
- Dampen your footwear and apply Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Proof.
- To do this, pop the lid off, press the sponge applicator down to break the seal and rub it onto the uppers of your footwear. If you forget, it’s on the back of the bottle. You can also use the Granger’s Repel+ if you’d prefer a spray.
- Leave a few minutes and wipe off the excess.
- Leave to dry out of direct sunlight.
Outdoor footwear care plays vital role in our outdoor pursuit. We underlined the significance of maintaining your outdoor footwear and offers insight into how little effort can prevent potential kit failures
Nobody likes having stinky shoes: Granger’s Odour Eliminator does just that.
Common Footwear Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When it comes to outdoor footwear care, even well-meaning hikers and adventurers can make mistakes that shorten the life of their boots. These small errors can lead to bigger problems, such as cracked leather, loss of waterproofing, or sole separation. Let’s look at the most common footwear care mistakes and how to avoid them.
Over-Drying Your Boots
The Mistake: Many people are tempted to speed up drying by placing their boots next to a radiator, fire, or in direct sunlight. While this seems logical when you’re eager to get back outside, excessive heat can dry out and crack leather, degrade waterproof membranes, and weaken the glue that holds your boots together.
How to Avoid It: Always allow your boots to air dry naturally, away from direct heat sources. Remove the footbeds and laces, and stuff the inside with newspaper to absorb moisture faster. Swap out the newspaper as it becomes damp and be patient. It’s worth the wait to avoid long-term damage.
Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
The Mistake: When you want to clean your boots, it’s easy to reach for household cleaners like dish soap or laundry detergent, but these products can strip away important protective coatings, leave behind residues that harm the material, or even compromise waterproofing.
How to Avoid It: Stick with products specifically designed for outdoor footwear. Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel and Grangers Footwear Cleaner are great options for cleaning your boots without damaging the materials. These cleaners also prep the boots for reproofing, ensuring your waterproofing treatments adhere properly.
Forgetting to Reproof Regularly
The Mistake: Many people think they’re set for life once they’ve bought a pair of waterproof boots. Unfortunately, the durable water-repellent (DWR) coating that keeps your boots waterproof wears off over time. If you don’t reproof your boots regularly, they can become soggy, heavy, and uncomfortable.
How to Avoid It: After a thorough cleaning, check if water is still beading up on the surface of your boots. If not, it’s time to reproof. For fabric and leather boots, you can use products like Nikwax Fabric and Leather Proof or Grangers Performance Repel+ to restore water repellence. Grangers G-Wax will keep leather boots nourished and waterproof.
Storing Wet Boots
The Mistake: Tossing wet boots into a closet or leaving them in a bag after a hike is a sure way to ruin them. Dampness encourages mould, weakens stitching, and can cause rot in natural materials like leather.
How to Avoid It: After a hike, take the time to clean and dry your boots properly before storing them. Once fully dry, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Never leave them in damp areas; avoid sealing them in bags or airtight containers that trap moisture.
Neglecting the Inside of the Boot
The Mistake: Many people focus only on cleaning the exterior of their boots and forget about the interior. Over time, sweat, dirt, and moisture accumulate inside, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and odours.
How to Avoid It: Regularly remove the footbeds and gently clean the inside of your boots. Use Nikwax or Grangers cleaning products with a soft brush or cloth to remove buildup. For added freshness, consider using a deodorising spray like Granger’s Odour Eliminator.
Not Inspecting for Damage
The Mistake: Failing to inspect your boots regularly can lead to unnoticed damage, like worn-out soles, cracked leather, or frayed laces. Left unchecked, small issues can become bigger problems, potentially causing a boot to fail during a hike.
How to Avoid It: Give your boots a quick once-over after every hike. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as loose stitching, sole separation, or dry, cracked leather. Catching this early will allow you to make minor repairs before they become serious problems. Replacing laces, applying leather conditioner, or re-glueing soles can significantly extend your boots’ life.
Ignoring the Break-In Process
The Mistake: Heading out on a long hike with brand-new boots is a recipe for disaster. New boots must be broken in to soften the materials and mould to your feet. Otherwise, you risk blisters and discomfort.
How to Avoid It: Always break in your boots gradually by wearing them on short walks or hikes before heading out on a longer trek. This step will allow the materials to soften and conform to your feet, ensuring maximum comfort.
FAQ
Ideally, you should clean your boots after every big adventure or when they’ve gotten muddy or wet. Regularly removing dirt and debris will prevent long-term damage like rot or cracking. For light use, a good clean every few hikes should suffice.
No, that’s a big no-no! Washing machines can ruin your boots by weakening adhesives and damaging the fabrics. It’s always best to clean them by hand using a specialised footwear cleaner, like Nikwax or Grangers.
It’s an easy test! Just pour a little water on the uppers. If the water beads off, your waterproof coating is still intact. If it sinks in, it’s time to reapply it. Also, if your leather boots look dry or faded, they’ll need some TLC with wax.
Patience is key! Air-drying is the safest way to dry your boots. Avoid radiators, fires, or direct sunlight, as heat can cause leather to crack or adhesives to fail. Stuff them with newspaper to help speed up the process.
It’s better not to. Regular soap or liquid washing up can leave a residue that may affect water repellence. Instead, use dedicated footwear cleaners like Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel or Grangers Footwear Cleaner. They’re designed to clean without harming your gear.
Boot odour can be a real issue, especially after long hikes. Always let your boots dry fully after use, and remove the footbeds to let them air out. You can also use products like Granger’s Odour Eliminator to keep things fresh. If the insides are particularly grimy, gently clean them following the care guide.
Cleaning removes dirt and debris from your boots, while reapplying DWR restores water repellence. After cleaning your boots, you may notice water no longer beads up on the surface—this is when you’ll need to reapply a waterproofing treatment to protect the material.
Absolutely! Like other materials, Suede and Nubuck need reproofing. Use products specifically designed for them, like Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Proof. Regular care will help maintain the look and functionality of your boots for longer.
For leather boots, stick with waxes designed for outdoor footwear, like Grangers G-Wax or Nikwax. These waxes are specially formulated to protect and nourish the leather, keeping it soft, waterproof, and durable without making it overly greasy or stiff.
Most outdoor footwear comes with a DWR coating to keep water and muck at bay, but this coating wears off over time. Regular cleaning and reapplying will keep your boots in tip-top shape and extend their lifespan.
Store your boots in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Ensure they’re completely dry before putting them away to avoid mould or mildew buildup. Stuffing them with newspaper or boot shapers can help retain their shape.
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