Dijukno you can be proactive in how long your boots will last and how waterproof they will be for your next hike?
Helpful Tips And Suggestions
Remove the
insoles/inserts after a hike to permit the entire boot to dry.
Do not
expose your boots to excessive heat. Store them at room temperature.
When
water stops beading on your boot uppers, add a waterproofing treatment to restore
their water resistance.
Keep any
care instructions provided; well, check the internet or contact the manufacturer if you didn't keep that information. Don't worry though because we will help you
enjoy your boots for a long time with a few simple tips.
New
hiking boots rarely require treatment out of the box because, nearly all boots
are factory treated with a water repellent finish. If a manufacturer recommends specific
treatment prior to first use, be sure do so.
If a
flex point of a leather boot is slow to break in, apply a conditioner to that
spot to make it more pliable.
After
any hike, CLEAN YOUR BOOTS.
Cleaning
Tips
Be
diligent in cleaning your hiking boots. If you're too tired after a hike to clean
your boots, clean them the following day.
With
every flexing motion, particles of dirt, grit or sand left on a boot's upper
can creep deeper into a boot's fibers, and grind away like sandpaper.
Mud can
suck moisture from leather as it dries, leaving leather less pliable and
vulnerable to accelerated aging.
Removable
sock liners found in some boots, or insoles may be machine washable. Check your
manufacturer instructions. Remove liners
or insoles to air them out.
Note
Never,
ever put your hiking boots in a washing machine.
Use a
brush to remove dust and dirt. Choose a specialized tool, old food cleaning brush,
or toothbrush.
Remove laces prior to cleaning.
Be
relatively gentle, yet persistent in cleaning away dirt and debris.
If you
were ready to quit after the most challenging adventure of your life and allow
mold to form on your boots, brush in a mixture of 80% water and 20% vinegar.
If
needed, wash off the outsole, too. Remove stones and other stubborn junk that
plug your traction. If mud is really caked on, soak the outsoles in a shallow
pan of water for several hours then hose off the sludge.
Drying
Tips
Allow
boots to dry completely at a normal temperature.
Remove
insoles and let them air dry separately from the boots.
Do not
place wet boots close to a heat source
such as a fireplace, campfire, wood stove, radiator, or heater, because
high heat can weaken the
adhesives used in bonding your boot. It can
also bake the upper, which could turn the leather brittle, or cause it to
shrink and curl, which potentially could squeeze your boot's toe counter (a nylon
reinforcement in the toe area), which would alter its fit.
Recommended Speedy Dry Method
Place boots (insoles removed, tongue propped open) in the
path of a fan at room temperature.
If you
don't have a fan available, stuff a sheet or two of newspaper into each boot.
Newspapers are a decent moisture absorber. Change the paper each hour.
Boots
dry faster when positioned upside-down.
Store
boots in a place where temperatures are stable and normal. Do not store boots
in attics, garages, car trunks or any unventilated spaces where heat can
rapidly accumulate.
After Extended
Use: Clean, Condition, Waterproof your boots.
You can
use three types of boot care products. Here's a description for when and how
often to use them:
Cleaner
Use a
cleaner when preparing to apply waterproofing, or any time stubborn residue
(dust, mud, grime) is visible on the upper.
Use a
cleaner periodically. A simple brush-off or a rinse-and-wipe may do the job
just fine. But if boots are muddy or really dusty, adding a footwear specific,
residue free cleaner will optimize your effort. Boots simply perform better and
last longer when clean.
Note
Always
clean boots thoroughly before applying waterproofing.
Conditioning
Use a
conditioner when full grain leather boots appear dry or cracked. It can also be
used if new boots need to be broken in quickly.
Use a
conditioner judiciously. Healthy leather (like your skin) functions best when
moisturized. Too much conditioner can make boots too soft, reducing the support
they provide on rugged terrain.
Note:
Do not
use Mink Oil or similar oils better suited for logging/industrial boots; it
over softens dry tanned leather used in modern hiking boots.
Waterproofing
Use a
waterproofing treatment when water does not speedily bead up, and roll off a
boot's surface, allowing water to sink into the exterior layer.
Use it as needed. The frequency depends on how hard you use your
boots. It is not uncommon for serious trail blazers who do a lot of wet weather
hiking to apply waterproofing several times a year.
Low Cost Blister Prevention Tip
Low Cost Blister Prevention Tip
No comments :
Post a Comment
Your comments or suggestions for future Dijukno blogs are greatly appreciated.