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Leather boots require regular cleaning and conditioning with special products. These treatments keep the leather waterproof and prevent it from drying and cracking. It is essential to maintain the condition of the leather if you would like your boots to last as long as they were designed to.
Here are 4 tips you should commit to memory:
- Clean boots after every tramp. A brush and some water are all your need
- Remove insoles/inserts to allow the entire boot to dry
- Do not expose boots to excessive heat when drying (fire, direct sunlight)
- When water stops beading on boot uppers, add a waterproofing treatment to restore their water resistance.
At the end of a tramping trip get into the habit of caring for your boots as soon as you can. Storing them for long periods of time muddy and wet will do irreversable damage to the leather.
Use a brush to remove dust and dirt. Choose a specialized tool or an old dish brush or toothbrush. For maximum thoroughness, remove laces prior to cleaning. Add running water and ideally a specialized boot cleaner, saddle soap or maybe a mild soap if no other options exist. Be relatively gentle yet persistent in cleaning away dirt and debris. Do not use detergents; they typically contain surfactants that attract water; detergents may also include fabric brighteners that can leave residues.
To help dry wet boots, stuff in some newspaper. This will speed up the process and helps keep the toebox in shape. Remember to remove the insoles. Do not leave boots to dry next to a fire or other heat source, and never dry them in direct sunlight. This dries the leather too fast and often results in cracking, warping or delamination.
Hiking boots used for work on a farm should be cleaned on a daily basis.
Now its time to look at some waterproofing and conditioning products your boots may require.
Lowa Waterstop Spray 
$30
250ml spray
Ideal for all leathers, all shoe textiles. This patented new boot care product improves waterproofing and conditions fine leathers.
Lowa Waterstop is a waterproofing spray that closes the pores of the leather, preventing water absorption, while maintaining the breathable properties of fine leather.
The cleaned boots are still very “open-pored” and will soak up water
even more due to the application of cleaning products. In order to “close” the leather again, an impregnating spray should first be used when they are still damp. Impregnating the leather prevents water absorption.
The leather still keeps its breathing properties. Smooth or waxed leathers are easier to care for than nubuck or suede and more resistant to water and dirt.
Detailed care can be found here at Lowa.
Lowa Moisturising Active Cream
$20
75ml tube with applicator
Once your boots have been water-proofed they should also regularly have a wax-cream or wax-emulsion rubbed or polished into them (with a brush), especially when they have had a soaking.
Lowa Active Cream is ideal for all leathers, all shoe textiles.
This patented new boot care product conditions fine leathers, extending the life of your boots.
Detailed care can be found here at Lowa.
 Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel
$15.90
Cleans all types of leisure, lifestyle and sports shoes and boots.
Revitalising cleaner for all footwear.
- Removes dirt and helps to release stains.
- Improves the appearance of dirty footwear .
- Prepares the footwear for proofing with an appropriate product.
- Prolongs the life and performance of all types of footwear.
- Maintains breathability.
- Ideal for footwear with breathable linings e.g. Gore-Tex.
- Easy to apply.
- WaterBased - environmentally friendly, biodegradable,
non flammable, non hazardous.
- Does not contain fluorocarbons.
- For all types of footwear, any material and any combination;
sports or leisure.
- Safe to use on footwear with breathable membranes,
e.g. Gore-Tex, SympaTex, eVENT etc.
Sponge-on waterproofing. Waterproofs, maintains support and breathability.
- Adds water repellency.
- Prolongs life and performance of all fabric and leather combination footwear.
- Can be used on wet footwear.
- Easy to apply - available in spray-on or sponge-on formats.
Can be used indoors unlike solvent based sprays.
- Will not soften leather.
- Will not affect cosmetic appearance.
- WaterBased - environmentally friendly, biodegradable,
non flammable, non hazardous.
- Does not contain fluorocarbons.
- Suitable for all fabric and leather combination footwear
(work, fashion, leisure and sports).
- Ideal to use on footwear with breathable membranes
e.g. Gore-Tex, SympaTex, eVENT etc.
Sponge-on waterproofing. Waterproofs, maintains support and breathability.
- Adds water repellency.
- Prolongs life and performance of all nubuck or suede footwear.
- Maintains breathability.
- Ideal for footwear with breathable linings e.g. Gore-Tex.
- Can be used on wet footwear.
- Easy to apply - available in spray-on or sponge-on formats.
Can be used indoors unlike solvent based sprays.
- Will not soften leather.
- Will not affect cosmetic appearance.
- WaterBased - environmentally friendly, biodegradable,
non flammable,non hazardous.
- Does not contain fluorocarbons.
- Suitable for all nubuck and suede footwear
(work, fashion, leisure and sports).
- Safe to use on footwear with breathable membranes
e.g. Gore-Tex, SympaTex, eVENT etc.
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Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof
Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof