Because your lightweight hiking and work boots are the most important part of your hiking equipment and deserve looking after!
Caring for your boots, though not the most fun part of a hike, will be worthwhile over the long term. Not only will you extend the life of your boots (and pay out less frequently for new ones) but you will also help in keeping water out of them.
So, after a muddy walk brush off all the mud, sheep poo, cow dung and everything else and give them a good wipe down but do not use detergents.
If your boots get saturated after prolonged walking in the rain and/or in wet conditions, or just damp from perspiration stuff them with dry newspaper and leave them overnight preferably in a warm place. Newspaper really does work well.
Boots need to be treated from time to time with a good leather care type product such as Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather whether you hike in dry hot conditions or in wet wintry conditions. We use Nikwax as it dries into boots quite easily and makes them look cared for.
Once a year take the laces out and wash them in a cloth bag in the washing machine. Check them for damage etc. Always carry at least one spare boot lace in your rucksack even if it has been used.
Always carry plasters and compeed or equivalent for blisters – just in case someone else needs them!
If you feel your boot rubbing deal with it straightaway by putting on a plaster or compeed. Do not wait another 5 miles by which time your foot will be well sore and blistered and incapable of recovery for tomorrow’s walk!
