Hiking and outdoor footwear is one of the most important purchases you make with your outdoor gear. Therefore, proper maintenance and regular care is essential to get the most out of your footwear and ultimately all your adventures. Hiking boots are built to easily tackle muddy, gravelly trails and keep you supported even in difficult conditions. If you enjoy adventuring, you undoubtedly have tried-and-true hiking boots that you take with you on every trip. With the right care and attention, they will last you for many years. Find out below how you can clean and care for your hiking boots!
Care for and clean hiking boots made of leather, nubuck leather, etc. during outdoor activities
Always remove all stones, dirt, sand, seeds, etc. from inside your shoes during your outings. These foreign bodies are not only annoying hitchhikers, but over time they can damage the lining (waterproofing) of your footwear. At night or during longer stops, take off your shoes, take out the insoles and air your footwear. Even if your shoes get muddy, you should remove the mud as quickly as possible. If you allow mud to dry on shoes (especially leather), over time it can draw moisture out of the leather and cause cracks.
If your shoes are wet, do not dry them in front of a fire, in direct sun, or other direct heat sources as this may damage them. Here too, leather is the most affected and can crack or shrink. Direct heat can also cause the soles to separate from the shoe uppers by damaging the adhesive. If you have newspaper or a cloth handy, stuff it into the shoes to absorb the moisture. Remember to take shoe care products with you on longer trips. Bringing a lightweight pair of slippers will allow you to give your feet a rest at the campsite and give you more time to air out your footwear.
Cleaning and caring for hiking boots: This is how to do it after a hike
You should do this outdoors
A few minutes of care at the end of a hike can significantly extend the life of your hiking boots. Even if they don't look that dirty, small bits of dust, sand, dirt and mud can penetrate the leather or fabric and wear down your shoes like sandpaper. While still outdoors, tap them together to shake off any large pieces of mud and dirt. Tip the shoes upside down to shake out any sand that has become trapped inside.
Clean hiking boots: Clean them like this at home
Use a shoe brush to gently remove dirt, mud, and dust from the outside of shoes. If you have removed most of the dirt, everything is fine. If your shoes look really dirty and a quick brush isn't enough, it's time for a more thorough cleaning. You can find out here what you can do to clean and care for your hiking boots. What you need:
- A brush:A shoe brush or an old toothbrush work well.
- A cleaner:special cleaner or a mild mixture of dish soap and water. Do not use detergent or hand soap as these can damage the leather boots and Gore-Tex waterproof membranes.
- A bucket.
- Some vinegar:If your shoes somethingare moldy or smell particularly bad, wash them with a mixture of 80% water and 20% vinegar.
Danger: Never give up your hiking bootsinto the washing machine. This would damage both it and possibly the washing machine itself.
Do you have everything together? Here's how:
- Fill your sink or bucket: Usewater and a little dishwashing liquid.
- Remove the laces and pull out the insoles: If they are dirty or smelly, put them in a small bucket or bowl with water and a little dishwashing liquid and scrub them thoroughly with the brush. Then let them dry while you wash the rest of the shoes.
- Brush off dry dirt: Use the brush to remove as much dirt as possible while it is still dry.
- Start scrubbing: Dip the brush into the water and gently scrub the mud and dirt off your shoe. Make sure you reach all the small crevices where dirt and sand can get stuck.
- Rinse your hiking boots: Use clean water to remove any soap residue.
- Waterproof or wax hiking boots: Complete the necessary steps while the shoes are still wet. If they are dry or not wet enough after cleaning, wrap them in a very wet towel and leave them in a sink for a few hours. Once the water has completely penetrated the shoes, apply shoe wax or spray your hiking boots with waterproofing spray. Read and follow the application instructions for your product carefully.
- Dry Them: Drying hiking boots helps keep them drysmell fresh, and it only takes a few minutes. Open the tongue of the shoe (you can also stuff newspaper). This will prevent moisture from becoming trapped in the shoes and causing odors. Place your shoes in a well-ventilated area and away from direct sunlight and heat sources that could dry out and crack the leather.
- Store your hiking boots in a dry place at room temperature: Once dry, replace the laces and insoles and store them cleanly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place out of the sun.
