| Your hiking boots are obviously your most | | | | ever unsure about waterproof boots, you can |
| valuable piece of hiking equipment, and maintaining | | | | check with the manufacturer for information as |
| them is essential to making them last a long time. | | | | well as advice on compatible waterproofing leather |
| If you take care of these boots in a proper | | | | products. Hiking boots are made with many |
| manner with leather cleaners and routine leather | | | | different materials so different methods of |
| conditioning, you will be able to enjoy thousands | | | | waterproofing are sometimes needed. Wax-based |
| of miles of hiking on your favorite trails. This | | | | waterproof compounds are great for leather |
| article will teach you how to break your boots in | | | | boots, and is a leather product similar to shoe |
| properly, waterproof leather, leather cleaning and | | | | polish. In addition, silicone-based waterproof sprays |
| how to get your hiking boots resoled if needed. | | | | work great for nylon hiking boots. A lot of hiking |
| Last but not least, knowing when to buy a new | | | | boots consist of a combination of both leather |
| pair of hiking boots will also be addressed for | | | | and fabric, so both products may be needed. It is |
| those who have boots that have seen a lot of | | | | also important to avoid spraying stitching in the |
| wear. | | | | boot with the silicone spray, as this can cause |
| When you buy a good quality hiking boot, you are | | | | damage. |
| making a very good investment that you can | | | | It is also important to keep your boots clean. If |
| expect to last a long time if proper leather care | | | | you are on a hike, especially if the terrain is |
| and maintenance is observed. You always want to | | | | muddy or wet, then be sure to shake off excess |
| break in a new hiking boot to soften them so you | | | | dirt when you stop along the trail. You can do this |
| don't hurt your feet. You want to make them | | | | by banging the sole of the boot against a rock or |
| flexible at your ankles and toes. To do this, you | | | | tree. After each hike, be sure clean the mud and |
| want to walk around in them as much as possible | | | | dust off your boots with a brush. If you let mud |
| for the first few days. If you can soften the | | | | dry on your boots it will soak out the |
| leather during short distance walks, you will be | | | | waterproofing and will slowly destroy the leather. |
| much more comfortable on our longer hiking trip. | | | | A damp cloth can also help preserve the nylon |
| While hiking shoes and some day hiking boots | | | | material. |
| may not need to be broke in, your heavier boots | | | | If your boots are still nice and feel good you can |
| should be as flexible as possible. Never try and | | | | have them resoled for about forty to eight |
| break your boots in by getting them wet and | | | | dollars, a fraction of the cost of buying new |
| wearing them until they dry out, as this can | | | | boots, which is another way that proper leather |
| considerably damage the leather. | | | | care can help save you money. Using these |
| Although a lot of hiking boots are already | | | | leather care techniques to care for your hiking |
| equipped with some form of waterproof material, | | | | boots can help you protect your investment for |
| it is always a good idea to add additional | | | | many years to come. |
| waterproofing to be on the safe side. If you are | | | | |