Are your hiking boots covered in mud and sand from a fantastic hiking adventure? Yes, hiking boots are designed to withstand harsh conditions, such as rugged, muddy terrain or rocky trails but don’t interpret this to mean no maintenance. Here’s our advice on how to care for leather hiking boots so they last a lifetime, from routine maintenance or deep cleaning tips.
It’s not a good idea to throw them into the closet and expect them to last without proper care and upkeep. In fact, if you properly care for your shoes, you’ll save money because by not replacing them frequently.
Savings you can reserve for gear or future adventures. Perhaps Mt. Kilimanjaro or Meru?
Table of contents
If I don’t clean my hiking boots, what will happen?
Ideally, aim to clean your hiking boots after a day out on the trails. If you’re too exhausted afterward and cleaning isn’t the first thing on your mind (while relaxing on the couch is), don’t stress about it; clean them the next day. Earlier is better than later.
As you stretch and flex your boots, soil, and sand embed into their uppers, wearing down the fabric. In fact, the hiking shoes may look as if you tied them to your car and dragged them behind you. Ultimately, how you care for leather hiking boots will either make them age faster or maintain them based on how you clean and condition them. Mud dehydrates leather by absorbing moisture from it, leaving it less supple.
Time to clean: 10-15 minutes
Equipment needed: water, sink or tub (outside is better), boot brush, cleaner, No products found.and a rag. Also, a disinfectant or deodorizer for stinky or moldy shoes.
What can I clean leather boots with?
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- A special No products found. or a toothbrush (not the one you’re currently using).
- Boot scraper. If it’s been a few days since that hike and cleaning them is more of a priority now. Eventually, as soon as you get off the couch.
- Specialty boot cleaner or saddle soap. But, if your boots are baked in mud and shriveled because you waited too long, we have a DIY boot cleaner solution. If this seems complicated to make, it’s actually relatively easy. In fact, all you need is 1 tablespoon of dish soap mixed into 2 cups of warm water and a clean rag.
Clean Them After Hikes:
If your hiking boots are caked in mud, remove as much as possible by submerging them in water or stream. Don’t allow for the soil to harden, or it will be tougher to clean them.
If you can’t make the time to do a proper cleaning, here’s one tip on how to care for leather hiking boots. Remove as much soil from the boots as possible. This technique will buy you some time before you clean them.
Another technique is to thump the soles together to force out mud and gravel and repeat until dirt no longer flies off.
How to Clean Hiking Boots at Home
- Before you start, pick an area where you don’t mind dirt and gravel flying from your hiking shoes. Ideally, outside is better.
- Next, remove the laces and insoles, rinse or wash them off, and allow them to dry in an airy place.
- Then, use running water to loosen any mud from your boots and soles. If needed, use a boot brush and gently remove any remaining caked-in dirt and grit left over. But, if your hiking shoes require a deeper cleaning, use a boot brush with boot cleaner to remove any mud left.
- Finally, apply boot cleaner, saddle soap, or your DIY boot cleaner solution and gently wipe with a rag or apply with a clean polish brush and buff the upper. If you have a Gore-Tex upper and want to re-waterproof them, use a product like Nikwax Fabric/strong strong& Leather Proof to spray on the material. Nixwax can be used to waterproof your newly cleaned leather hiking boots and other gear.
5 Easy Steps to Cleaning Combat Boots:
Our reader Stephen gave us these helpful care steps to clean combat boots.
- Step 1: Leave your boots to dry.
- Step 2: Eliminate any persisting mud or dirt.
- Step 3: Coat a layer of conditioner.
- Step 4: Buff with a chamois/soft cloth.
- Step 5: Let your boots air-dry
Additional Hiking Shoes Care Tips:
- Before applying any product to your boots, read the care instructions and directions to ensure you don’t damage or discolor the leather upper. Do a spot test of the solution, under the tongue or in less noticeable areas. You want to make sure it is safe to use on hiking boots.
- Also, avoid using bar soap as it contains ingredients that might damage the boot leather.
- Moldy or stinky hiking shoes? To remove odors or mold, mix 80% distilled water and 20% white vinegar. Then, dip your boot brush or rag into the vinegar solution and lightly scrub the moldy areas. Afterward, apply a waterproof product.
And never put them in the washing machine. You risk ruining their shape and design.
As a side note, finding waterproof hiking boots that you like can be a challenge. But, know you have the option to add a water-resistant layer to non-waterproof boots. During the breaking-in period, you can follow these steps to waterproof your shoes.
How to Clean Hiking Boot Outsoles:
Mud might not harm or damage the soles, but it may restrict traction. Therefore, removing the dirt is essential so your outsoles will have traction. How to care for leather hiking boots with lugged soles:
- First, bang the soles and edges together to dislodge any remaining mud from the lugged soles.
- For caked-in dirt, soak the outsoles for a few minutes, then hose and brush off the mud.
- To remove any excess mud, use a boot scraper and brush the outsoles to dislodge stuck sand.
How to Dry Hiking Boots:
Allow your hiking shoes to air dry naturally without trying to speed up this process. Likewise, avoid using heat sources, like radiators, campfires, or heaters. In short, intense heat weakens adhesives and prematurely ages your shoes.
- Don’t try to speed up the process by placing them near a heater or in the sun. As a rule, let your hiking shoes dry thoroughly at room temperature in a well-ventilated space.
- If you need to dry your boots quickly, stuff the insides with newspaper and place them in front of a fan on its lowest setting. As soon as the newspaper becomes wet, remove it and fill the shoe insides until this no longer happens. In short, you quicken the drying process.
- Lastly, make sure your boots are absolutely dry before inserting the insoles and replacing them. If your shoes are stinky or musty, insert each of 5-10 unused fabric softener sheets.
The dryer sheets keep the odors away and hiking shoes smell fresh. In fact, I like to insert softener sheets into all my closed-toe shoes, duffel bags, backpacks, and anything made of material stored in a bag. This is an easy way to keep away any nasty odors forming in your gear bags.
How Often Should You Clean Hiking Boots:
After every hike:
- Remove the insoles
- Air out your shoes in a well-ventilated and dry area
- After muddy treks or your shoes look filthy
- Get rid of the mud before it dries
- Follow the hiking boots cleaning steps above
- Dry ’em out.
If you can’t get rid of foot odor or moisture, spray a disinfectant or a shoe deodorant to the insides and let them dry.
Then, if the shoes still smell, the culprit may be the insoles or laces. We have advice on how to choose the best insoles for hiking.
How to Use a Hiking Boot Conditioner:
When using a conditioner on your leather boots, you ensure that the upper remains supple and doesn’t get rough, cracked, or dry. However, different leather types, such as nubuck or suede, do not require conditioning.
In general, how to care for leather hiking boots post-cleaning is to apply a leather conditioner to your hiking boots every few months. After all, well-cared leather hiking boots feel better and last longer.
Conversely, using excessive conditioners might reduce the leather’s life and weaken its support. And remember to avoid using oil treatments designed for work and military boots. These oils tend to over-soften and clog the pores of leather hiking boots versus leather conditioners, designed to restore and maintain good flexibility.
How to Store Hiking Boots:
It’s best to keep your hiking boots in a dry and open-air place where temperatures won’t fluctuate. Similarly, avoid keeping them in plastic bags and super hot, damp, or unventilated spaces. In brief, it would not be wise to store them in your closet.
If you are between trips and won’t use your shoes for a few months, then remove the insoles before storing them. Make sure they are clean and dry before setting them aside. Add a few dryer sheets or odor absorbing bags to the hiking boots and they’re reading for the next adventure.
Recommended reading: Hiking Outfit Men Guide – Top 10 Pro Tips That You Need to Know , Best Energy Bars for Hiking to Keep Hunger at Bay
Final advice:
- Cleaning your hiking shoes is vital if you want them to last longer.
- Use fresh hiking socks for each day of your hikes. You’ll feel better and your shoes won’t be as smelly.
- Make sure you only use hiking shoes, sports sandals, or hiking boots for hiking. Your running shoes or walking sneakers do not have enough support or traction to grip the trails.
Conclusion:
Let’s wrap up our chat about one of the essentials of hiking gear: caring for your leather hiking boots. Keeping them in top shape not only extends their life but also ensures your hikes are comfortable and safe.
In a nutshell, caring for leather hiking boots involves cleaning, drying, conditioning, and proper storage. After a good hike, take the time to clean off any dirt or mud, as this can dry out the leather over time. Once they’re clean, let them air dry naturally – avoid direct heat as it can damage the leather.
Conditioning your boots with a suitable leather conditioner helps keep the leather supple and water-resistant. And finally, store your boots in a cool, dry place to prevent any mildew or damage.
FAQs
Mink oil can be used on leather hiking boots to enhance waterproofing and soften the leather. However, be cautious as mink oil can darken the leather. It’s best used on darker leather boots. Apply it sparingly and evenly, and always test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to see how your boots react.
Regular shoe polish might not be the best option for hiking boots as it can clog the pores of the leather, reducing its breathability. Instead, look for products specifically designed for outdoor leather boots that enhance the leather’s water resistance and durability. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying any product to your boots.
Absolutely! Regular conditioning often adds a degree of water resistance, but for extra protection, you can apply a waterproofing treatment. Just make sure it’s suitable for the type of leather your boots are made of.
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Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There are 5 steps to clean leather combat boots. Step 1: Leave your boots to dry. Step 2: Eliminate any persisting mud or dirt. Step 3: Coat a layer of conditioner. Step 4: Buff with a chamois/soft cloth. Step 5: Let your boots air-dry
Thanks for the advice Stephen! We will add that your tips to our post.
I really like your article. Thanks for sharing!