Leather offers exceptional natural properties, including water repellency and foot temperature regulation. To preserve these qualities over time, proper care is essential. Here are the right steps to take.
Leather is an organic material, which is why regular care is vital to make it last as long as possible. Regular, quick, and simple maintenance prevents premature aging, stops it from drying out and cracking, and preserves its suppleness—along with all the qualities you look for when buying leather boots. Making proper care a habit will significantly prolong your footwear's lifespan so you can get the most out of every trek.
Cleaning
After every outing, remove all traces of mud and debris like dust or gravel, which wear down and abrade the leather. Dirt and dried mud will also dry out the leather upper of your footwear over time.
Before stepping inside, knock your outsoles together to dislodge packed dirt and debris. Then carry out a basic clean with a brush. If you have been hiking in wet, rainy, or muddy conditions, wash with clean water and gently scrub with a brush.
Every now and then, treat your footwear to a deep clean. Remove the insole (take the opportunity to rinse or wash it), loosen the laces, and clean both the outside (including the outsole and tongue) and inside of the shoes using a soft brush and clean water (or mild soapy water).
Finally, ensure your shoes are completely dry before storing them in an open, dry, dust-free space. Drying should always be natural: keep your footwear away from direct heat or intense light sources, such as radiators, hair dryers, or direct sunlight. To speed up drying, stuff the inside of your shoes with newspaper.
Nourishing leather treatments
As mentioned, leather is an organic, living material. It needs to be nourished and hydrated to retain its suppleness, maintain its natural properties, and prevent premature aging. Applying a conditioning cream prevents leather from cracking, protects the surface, restores natural water repellency, and helps resist stains. Using a protective cream extends the lifespan of your leather footwear while preserving full technical performance.
Warning: make sure you choose a product tailored to your specific leather type (split leather, full-grain, or nubuck). Before applying any treatment, ensure your footwear is thoroughly clean and free of dirt.
Waterproofing products
There are numerous water-repellent treatments on the market (often labelled "waterproofing sprays") designed to restore the water repellency of your shoe uppers. We recommend applying this type of treatment to leather shoes once or twice a year. Again, various formulas exist depending on the leather: solid waxes for smooth leather uppers, or liquid formulas for nubuck. If your footwear features a Gore-Tex® membrane, note that specialised treatments are available to reactivate Gore-Tex® water-repellent properties without damaging the membrane.
As a rule, avoid applying heavy grease or shoe polish to technical leather footwear, as this will clog the pores and reduce breathability. Apply products evenly and allow your shoes to dry completely before storing them away.
