How to make your boots last longer

26 June 2008 16:10

Boots are given a walloping in the hills. If it’s not razor-sharp rock attacking the outside, it’s the salts and oils from your sweaty feet gnawing at the boot’s inners. So if you want one of your biggest outdoor investments to give you good service in the hills, follow these steps...

Dry them
To dry your boots after a walk, leave them in a warm, dry environment, with newspaper stuffed inside, and give them time to dry fully. Don’t put them close to radiators or other artificial heat sources as this will damage the leather.

Proof them
Good water repellency helps to prolong your boots’ life, so regularly reproof with products from Nikwax or Granger’s.

Cut your toenails
Eww! This is a major area of stress to the inside of your boots and an easy one to address. Trim your nails and it’ll also make your walking more comfortable.

Deal with sweat
Your feet produce four times more sweat when hill-walking than at other times. These carry oils and salts into the boot lining which can have a major impact on breathability. So treat your boots with a specific cleaner and leave them to dry naturally. You can also pick up a boot deodorant when you buy new boots and use it right away.

Clean that mud off
Abrasive dirt can seriously deteriorate the boots’ uppers, causing cracks and tears as well as seriously hindering breathability. Clean your boots in a stream on the way back to the car and then clean them again when you get home. Use a specific reproofing agent. Sheep poo is acidic, so wash this off as quickly as possible.

Buy decent socks
The inners of your boots can suffer from abrasion from poor-quality walking socks. To minimise this, buy a decent pair and make sure you keep any grit out of the boot.