Cleaning & Conditioning
Properly cared for, a pair of hiking boots will last for years. Common mistakes
many backpackers make is to dry their boots next to a hot campfire which can crack
the leather. Also damaging is storing boots in damp locations. In general, to care
for your boots, there are three steps to follow: cleaning, drying and conditioning.
Cleaning On a regular basis, brush away surface dirt with a soft
brush. After extended, rugged use, wash with mild soap and warm water. Be sure to
rinse all soap off as it is hydrophilic.
Drying Open boot fully, remove footbed and laces and dry at room
temperature. Never expose to heat!
Conditioning Recommended treatment depends on construction and
materials of boot (most treatments do alter the color and appearance of boots).
Top Grain Leather Biwell,®
Boot Guard®, NikWax®,
Paste Wax, NikWax®, Aqueous®
or ReviveX®, Leather Waterproofing Gel, and
ReviveX® Boot Cleaner*.
Nubuck or Split Grain Leather NikWax®
for suede/nubuck and Cadillac® Suede Renew.
Fabric / Leather Treat leather areas in a similar fashion to treating
all leather boots. Treat fabric areas with Tectron,®
Zepel,® Scotchgard®
or NikWax® Fabric/Leather.
Pigskin Leather Because Wolverine®
Performance™ Leather (pigskin) is treated against water and stains, leather
conditioning is not necessary, however Cadillac®
Suede Renew and Wilsons® Suede Cleaner can
be used.
Pittards® Leather (WR100)
Because waterproofing is inherent in the leather itself, do not treat WR100 with
any waterproofing agents. Remove excess mud/dirt and dry naturally.
Shearling Clean shearling with Cadillac®
Sheepskin Cleaner.