How To Weatherproof Your Leather Boots

22 July 2016
 Categories: , Blog

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Leather boots can be worn in at least three of the four seasons with dresses, skirts, jeans or leggings. Boots come in all shapes and sizes - over-the-knee, knee high, calf height and bootie (ankle height). Wearing your boots in all seasons means they not only see the sun, they see rain and possibly some snow. To keep your boots looking like new, you'll need to take good care of them; this means making them weatherproof. See below for weatherproofing tips for your leather boots.

1. Get Them Clean

Before attempting to put anything on your boots to weatherproof them, you'll need to get them as clean as possible. Use a dry brush to get any dust, dirt or mud off of them. Pay special attention to any cracks in the leather that can hold a lot of dirt. Once the dirt is mostly removed, use a soft, damp cloth to remove any other dirt the may remain. Allow them to dry before moving to the next step.

2. Apply Leather Cleaner

Look at your local store (shoe store or grocery store) for a leather cleaner. Test it in a small area before attempting to put the product all over your shoes. Apply the leather cleaner using a soft cloth or pad. If your boots have laces on them, take them out so you can get the entire boot clean. Allow the cleaner to dry completely.

3. Restore The Natural Oils

Your leather can dry out on your boots, which is why they crack or discolor. You need to restore those natural oils to make your leather pliable again. Look for a leather conditioner at your local store. Be sure when applying it to your boot that you again test a small area first, then make sure you allow time for the boot to soak in the conditioner, don't just slather it on. Apply it in light coats. If your boots need more than one coat, apply as many coats as needed until your boots are back to their original color. Allow your boots to dry.

4. Apply Leather Protector

Now that your boots are clean and their beauty has been restored, it's time to protect them. Apply a leather protector to help seal out water or snow that can damage your boots. You can find this type of product at your local store as well. Apply it in light coats, it will most likely be some sort of wax, which can leave a bit of a haze on your boots. Pay special attention to the lower portion of the boot (which can see more water damage), as well as the seams. Allow the leather protector to dry completely before attempting to wear them outside.

Protecting your boots from weather can mean the difference in wearing your boots for one season or multiple seasons. With the price of boots, it's in your best interest to protect them and maintain them so you can wear them over and over.