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Now In: Equipment Care & Advice - Boots

Equipment Care & Advice - Boots

Top boots tip

If your leather boots are wet but you need to wear them the next day, it is OK to apply a coating of treatment when the leather is damp. Any resulting white residue can be ignored or wiped away the next morning with a soft cloth.

Three principal types of boot material exist for the outdoor market; fabric, leather and plastic. Almost all plastic boots are designed for mountaineering and ice climbing. Plastic boots are 'double' boots consisting of a plastic shell that is virtually maintenance-free and an insulated inner boot that should be removed after use to allow it to dry out.

By contrast, a boot made from fabric or leather needs to be cared for in order to prolong its useful life. Manufacturers of bootcare treatments produce dedicated cleaners, restorers and waterproofing agents to match most types of leather and fabric. Some of these are also suitable for treating boots that have a built-in waterproof/breathable membrane. However, take care not to treat leather boots too often or you may end up softening the leather so much that it fails to deliver the support and protection you originally purchased it for.

Whatever type of boot you own, the principles of care remain the same:

1. Remove all dirt and mud with a brush and cold water.
2. Remove insoles and leave to dry in a cool, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight and away from direct heat (such as a radiator). Stuffing the boot with newspaper will speed drying time.
3. Apply the appropriate treatment.

Many boots can be re-soled when the tread wears thin. The cost for this is approximately one-third to one-half the cost of a new pair of boots. But this is likely to be money well spent as many potentially dangerous slips are caused by worn soles. Before handing your boots in for repair, they must be cleaned of mud, grit etc but should not be treated as this may reduce the effectiveness of adhesives used in the repair.

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