Hiking is, without a doubt, the most enjoyable, rewarding and satisfying out-of-door activity. It allows you to connect and explore nature’s magical, serene sceneries. For a hiker, whether a beginner or a veteran hiker, hitting the trail and getting out into nature with the right footwear is the most important thing.
When buying your footwear, it is important to consider the following factor:
- Comfort and fit: Your footwear should be comfortable enough to wear longer without causing blisters. Make sure you get the right size of boot that fits you well.
- Protection: A good hiking boot should protect your feet from cuts and damage caused by other elements.
- Weight: The weight of your hiking boots should be comfortable for your feet. Most hiking boots for men may be quite heavy for women to comfortably hike with.
- Consider high-quality boots as an investment: Buy hiking boots that are durable and long-lasting. Cotswold Outdoor is home to high quality outdoor gear for both men and women. You can find a variety of hiking items from hiking apparel for women to hiking boots for men.
After getting a comfortable fit, required density, and a hiking boot with waterproof capabilities, it is important to take care of your hiking boots. Use the following tips to take care of your hiking boots.
- Resole them when needed.
- Clean and maintain your boots regularly.
- Waterproof your boots.
- Break your boots in properly.
Things to Never Do To Your Hiking Boots
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Never Put your Hiking Boots next to a Direct Source of Heat
High humidity can cause the material of your hiking boots to crack, weaken the adhesive and prematurely age the boot’s leather.
Avoid using heat sources such as hairdryers, wood stoves, fireplaces, heaters, and radiators to dry your boots.
Also, avoid leaving your hiking boots in the hot sun to dry.
Tip: Allow your boots to dry naturally at normal temperatures with low humidity and away from any direct heat source or high temperatures.
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Never Put Your Boots in Stuffy Places
Avoid leaving your hiking boots in cold damp places as they may take longer to dry. Do not leave your boots in plastic bags as they can build up odour and are in danger of getting mouldy.
Tip: Always put your hiking boots in dry and airy locations.
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Never Put your Hiking Boots in a Washing Machine
Avoid using a washing machine when cleaning your hiking boots, as it can severely damage them.
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Avoid Using Bar Soap and Detergents
Most bar soap and detergents contain chemicals that can damage the waterproofing membrane or the leather material on your boots. Using bar soap and detergents might also make the leather hard and force the leather surface to peel and develop cracks.
Tip: Use a mixture of 20 percent vinegar and 80 percent water to clean your hiking boots.
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Never Soak Your Hiking Boots for Long
Soaking your hiking boots for too long softens the material of your footwear.
Tip: Straight after taking your hiking boots off, use a brush to scrub off excess dirt or mud, remove your shoe laces, and use a mild soap and water without soaking your boots; after thoroughly scrubbing and removing all the dirt, rinse your boots with clean water ideally under the tap.
If there is stubborn dirt or mud, soak your boots for a few minutes in a bowl of warm water; this will soften the dirt and make it easier to clean.
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Avoid Using Mink Oil or Oils Designed for Industrial Boots
Never use mink oil to moisturize hiking boots as it over-softens the leather, making your footwear prone to tear.
Tip: When the boot leather appears dried out and cracked, you can use a conditioner. The conditioner should be used reasonably and not regularly.
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Never Waterproof your Boots When They are Dry
If you want to waterproof your hiking boots, consider doing so when they are wet. Most hiking boots are waterproof, and you will not need to do so until you start noticing that water no longer beads on the surface.
Tip: Use a waterproofing shoe polish or wax-based waterproof coat.
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Never Freeze Your Boots
This is done by filling freezer bags with water, placing them inside your boots and then placing the boots in the freezer. The aim of freezing the boots is usually to stretch the boots to the required density. However, this could lead to seam splitting and damage to the leather due to extreme exposure to cold temperatures.
We hope this article gives you some insight into how to maintain and look after your boots.
