Allingtons Blog | How to Keep Your New Leather Boots in TOP Condition

It's all about a little bit of Leather Boot Care!

Getting a new pair of boots is so exciting! The smell of fresh leather and that satisfying ‘pop’ as you pull them on when they’re brand new is gold. They look amazing, and they feel amazing too.

If you want to keep that feeling going for the lifetime of your gorgeous boots, you’ll need to show them some consistent love. That sounds like hard work, but it’s not really. And for your small investment of time, they will reward you with years of faithful service, just like your old dog - and we know how much you love your dear old dog. Not only that, they’ll probably go on just as many adventures as your beloved canine, if not more.

So, it’s important to properly care for them. Not only will a bit of love keep them looking amazing, it will also prolong their life. So, you won’t have to replace them for years to come - they may outlast more than one dog!

The way you look after your leather boots will depend entirely on what type of leather they have been crafted from, but for all of them, we recommend treating them with a non-silicone water proofing spray before their first wear.

How to Care for Smooth Leather Boots:

Wipe your smooth leather boots clean after each wear with a damp cloth. For most of us it’s highly unlikely that we will take the time to do this every time we take our boots off, but your boots will appreciate this little gesture as often as you’re prepared to offer it!
If smooth leather boots become saturated, remove the innersoles, and stuff them with newspaper while they dry. This will help them to keep their shape. Allow them to naturally air dry away from direct heat. Do not be tempted to dry them with sunshine, a heater or a hair dryer!
To clean smooth leather, you can use a leather cleaner or saddle soap. Each cleaner will have tailored instructions, so follow the instructions on your specific product. Once they are completely dry, you can polish them.
To condition leather, make sure the boot is dry and spread the cream or liquid conditioner over all the leather of the boot. Once it has dried to a dull finish, brush off any excess conditioner.
To polish smooth leather, use either a neutral polish, or one that is the same colour as your boots. While neutral polish is more versatile – you can use the same polish on all of your boots – a coloured polish will help to restore a consistent colour to your boots if they have been scuffed or scratched. Polish is designed to penetrate the leather, so apply it with a soft cloth or just by hand, leave it for a few minutes – or up to 24 hours – then buff with a shoe shine brush. Finish off by buffing with a soft cloth to get a good shine.
Finish with a spray of non-silicone water proofer for ultimate protection.

How to Care for Distressed Leather Boots:

Brush your distressed leather boots clean after each wear. Use a slightly damp cloth to gently remove mud or dirt that doesn’t come off with the brush. I know, for most of us it’s highly unlikely that we will take the time to do this every time we wear our boots, but your boots will appreciate it as often as you’re prepared to do it!
If distressed leather boots become saturated, as with smooth leather, remove the innersoles, and stuff them with newspaper while they dry. This will help them to keep their shape. Allow them to naturally air dry away from direct heat. Do not be tempted to dry them with sunshine, a heater or a hair dryer!
To condition distressed leather, make sure the boot is dry and spread the cream or liquid conditioner over all the leather of the boot. Once it has dried to a dull finish, it can be buffed with a brush.
Finish with a spray of non-silicone water proofer for ultimate protection.
Do not use polish on distressed leather.

How to Care for Suede Leather Boots:

We cannot recommend highly enough treating your suede boots with a non-silicone water proofing product before you wear them!
If you have a pair of suede boots that you haven’t treated with a water proofer, follow the instructions below and then treat them asap! If the weather is looking exceptionally wet, perhaps choose to wear another pair of boots from your wardrobe that are not suede.
Clean your suede leather boots with a suede brush after each wear. Again, for most of us it’s highly unlikely that we will take the time to do this every time we wear our boots, but your boots will appreciate it as you’re prepared to do it!
Use a quality suede eraser to remove dirt and minor scuffs. Each eraser will have tailored instructions, so follow the instructions on your specific product.
Use a quality suede cleaner to remove any stubborn marks or stains. Follow the instructions on your specific product.
Never use polish or leather conditioner on suede.

How to extend the life of your leather boots:

Regularly clean, condition and polish
Use specialised cleaning erasers or a terrycloth
Waterproof the leather a few times a year
Use boot trees to help retain the shape of tall boots
Never place your leather boots near a heat source

For even longer wear, avoid wearing the same pair every day. The combination of body heat and bacteria from your feet can speed up deterioration. If you wear boots for work, consider having two pairs that you can alternate, and get yourself some naturally anti-bacterial bamboo socks to wear with them. Replacing the innersole every few months will also extend the life of your boots.

How often you clean, polish, and condition your boots will largely depend on how often you wear them. Be kind and give all your boots a regular turn to go for a walk, and they will be happy. Just like your dog. If your boots will be staying in your wardrobe for an extended period (more like a bear than a faithful dog), remove the innersoles and condition them every 2-3 months to keep the leather from starving and cracking during hibernation.

Look after your boots and they will look after you! A good pair of leather boots are definitely worth the investment, so give them some regular TLC to prolong their life.

Check out our leather care range, and our full range of footwear from the most trusted brands in the country.