Have you ever been out for a hike and noticed that your feet were wet? It might be from sweat, but it could also be because your boots weren't waterproof. In rainy weather, water can seep into the boots and soak through to your skin. You'll have to dry them or end up with blisters on top of blisters. This is what happens when hikers don't take care of their footwear properly!
If you are like me, then you don't always have the time to dedicate to cleaning your walking boots. It's not that I am lazy (just a little), but it just seems like there is never enough time in the day.
You probably don't want to hear this ! Picture yourself after a lovely walk, feeling refreshed, mentally in a good place, all is well ! Time to take off your walking gear, then 'Oh Noooo' your walking boots are filthy. You ask yourself - Do I just leave them, or do I clean them before the mud dries ? The answer even if not a popular solution at the time is to actually clean them straightaway - so they are ready for your next walk. Rinsing the Boots with Warm Water is a good method and use a fairly stiff brush to get rid of the muck which doesn't come off from the initial rinse. To maintain the Shape of the Boots don't over wet the boots as this will cause softening of the leather uppers and eventual shape distortion.
The weather can make or break a day, but the worst thing to happen when you're out for a walk is your walking boots getting soaked. So how is the best way to keep your boots waterproof and dry so that you can stay safe and comfortable as you enjoy the outdoors!
Using a Boot Proofer will certainly help to keep your feet dry by waterproofing your boots. There are a variety of Boot Proofers on the Market. There are Waterproofing Sprays such as Collonil Waterstop which gives perfect protection for delicate and sensitive leathers. Another top quality Footwear Proofer is Mountain Warehouse Universal Footwear Proofer which offers Maximum Water Repellency whilst maintaining breathability.
The best bit of advice here is dont't rush it. Let the boots dry naturally in a warm room or outside on a good day. Don't make the mistake of trying to dry them to quickly by putting them on or next to radiators etc...
If you have a pair of Scarpa Walking Boots they advise that after each use their boots should be rinsed with clean water, removing any stubborn dirt with a sponge, damp cloth or a brush. When drying the boots you should leave them to dry naturally in a cool dry place with good air circulation. Read the full article here