Boot Care & Maintenance

My old man always told me growing up, “You take care of it, and it’ll take of you.” He learned this from his father who I would go as far as saying learned the phrase from his father as well. This advice was usually stated to me in reference to my ball glove. Breaking in and conditioning our ball gloves when I was young was more or less a family event. We’d all take the time before the season to make sure the leather was conditioned perfectly and taken care of so that during the baseball and softball seasons, they’d handle the sun, sweat, and abuse that goes along with the sport. I’ve kept that principle in my head and pretty much apply it to everything in life now, especially when it comes to hunting gear. 

Before 

I have a lot invested in my hunting and outdoor equipment. Outdoor pursuits put a lot of wear and tear on gear, making upkeep imperative. I've learned that proper care and maintenance play a pivotal part in the end performance and how long these items will last me. A piece of gear that I find is oftentimes overlooked and forgotten about in terms of care is boots. No matter the adventure, my boots are coming along. They take constant beatings in the field, year after year. They get wet from rain or snow, caked with mud, dirt, and everything in between. They see it all and take it directly. That is why it is imperative to take the time every offseason to condition my boots so they'll stand up to anything thrown at them and last me season after season. My personal preference in boots are those of leather construction. I’m a strong believer in leather boots for a handful of reasons, primarily due to the fact that they handle weather better. Leather boots tend to have less seams that non-leather materials. Less seams equals less areas where moisture can penetrate and/or leak. Plus, if taken care of properly, a good pair of leather boots can last a lifetime. Let's get into it. 

Things You’ll Need

• Sink or tub
• Water
• Leather conditioner (I like Schnee’s or Nikwax)
• Dish brush or similar
• Clean towel

Here's the Procedure

First, I take the laces completely out of my boots and hand wash those in warm water and Dawn dish soap. Why wash the laces? Well, laces are usually made of a nylon material that traps and holds dust and dirt in the webbing of the material. Giving them a good wash and rinse eliminates buildup of dirt and freshens up the laces making them last longer. After my laces are nice and clean, I wring them of any extra water and then hang them to dry. 

Next, I take my boots and thoroughly rinse them with water until the surface is clean and the leather is penetrated. The leather will darken when this is accomplished. The goal here is to rinse any dust particles from the pores of the leather, returning the leather to a clean state. Pay attention to avoid getting unnecessary water inside the boot. 

Once my boots are wet, I take the conditioner and apply a liberal amount all over the leather areas of the boots, taking the time to massage it into the leather. Get the conditioner in all the nooks and crannies, especially around the lace hooks where dirt build up is prevalent. Once the boots are all oiled up, I take a clean towel and buff out the boot, removing any excess oils. Once the boot is buffed out, I'm left with a brand-new looking pair of boots! I like to let the boots dry for 24-48 hours if possible before putting them back into use. Once dry, I put the laces back in and then I am ready to head out for my next adventure. 

After

Taking care of my equipment is important to me. Not only will it last longer but it creates a sense of preparedness for yourself that can be used in other aspects of life. My boots take care of my feet, so I take care of them. With proper care, I’d expect the soles to wear out before the leather. While my father's words of wisdom were usually in reference to my ball glove, I believe it holds true to just about everything in life. Always remember, whether it's boots, family or your own self, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. 

Until next time...stay wild.

Brock