A quality pair of leather work boots is a ten-year investment if you maintain them. Most people do not, and wonder why they are replacing boots every two years.
The Daily Habit (2 Minutes)
Remove boots at end of each day and knock out bulk dirt. Leaving compacted dirt in the welt and around the sole edge accelerates deterioration.
Weekly Cleaning (10 Minutes)
Brush off remaining surface dirt. Wipe leather with a slightly damp cloth — not wet. Allow to dry naturally. Never put boots near direct heat — it desiccates leather and causes cracking.
Conditioning (Monthly)
Leather needs moisture. A good leather conditioner — beeswax-based products like Dubbin, Leather Honey, or Sno-Seal — keeps leather supple and prevents cracking. Apply with a cloth, allow to absorb 30 minutes, buff off excess.
Waterproofing
For boots in consistently wet conditions, a dedicated wax-based waterproofing treatment applied over a clean, conditioned boot provides best protection. Do not expect 100% waterproofing in deep water — leather is not a membrane.
Sole Care
Check welt stitching and sole adhesion periodically. A welt starting to separate can be re-stitched by a cobbler for $20 before it becomes a full sole replacement.
Storage
Store with boot trees or stuffed with newspaper. Avoid plastic bags — leather needs to breathe. Cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
See our range of leather work boots.
