How to Care for Boots

When you''ve got the perfect boots, it would be great that you can wear them anytime as the day you bought it. If you take good care of those boots you can get years, possibly decades out of them. Here are some tips on getting long life out of your boots.

1. Waterproof them as soon as you get home.
If your boots are made from leather, you can use an oil based product to waterproof them. Stay away from waxes or silicones that can clog the pours and shorten the boots life.

2. Break your boots in before going hiking in them.
Wear your boots around the house, when going to the store, at work for several days, any opportunity where you can soften up the sole and get the material to stretch a little to the shape of your foot.

3. Keep them clean.
Bang your boots together to get the dirt out of the lugs. Then, use a stiff nylon brush to brush the dirt off. If your boots are still dirty, use a damp cloth to wipe the dirt away, be careful not to soak the leather. If you are removing volcanic dust, use a vacuum and keep away from water. Once you have cleaned them up follow the directions on your selected boot cleaner. Then, waterproof them again. Wait until they are fully dried from cleaning before repeating that process.

4. Never heat dry wet boots.
Don''t place your wet boots by a fire or heater to speed up drying. It only damages the material, effects the fit, and if you get your boots to close to the heat source, can melt the cement holding the sole to the upper. Let them natural air dry in a warm dry place.

5. Don''t store your boots for an extended period of time.
Wear them periodically to keep them stretched out and comfortable. Use them to run errands or around work if you get up and down.

6. Don''t walk around with them unlaced.
Walking around with your boots unlaced causes unnecessary wear on the inner linings and will shred your laces.