Product Care Instructions - Boots & Footwear

While your hiking boots or shoes are designed to take serious punishment while out on the trails, regular care will ensure you can keep lacing them up trek-after-trek. Mountain Designs recommends the following care instructions:

Cleaning Your Boots/Footwear

• Remove the laces and liners.
• Scrape away any mud that has caked on to the soles or outer.
• Wash off superficial dirt with cold water and a cloth.
• Scrub with a soft-bristled brush to loosen ground-in dirt, and then rinse with cold water to remove fine particles.
• Wash the lining with a mild soap to get rid of accumulated salts, and then rinse with cold water.
• Let your footwear air dry in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Do not use a direct heat source (such as fire), as this might damage the fabrics even without catching fire.

Conditioning Your Boots/Footwear (for full grain leather only)

• Leather uppers need care just like skin. Without proper conditioning they will dry out, stiffen and ultimately crack. Conditioners are used to restore lubricants to the leather, keeping it supple and, in some cases, waterproof.
• Before applying a new conditioner, make sure your footwear is dry.
• Use a cloth to apply the conditioner, rubbing it into the footwear in a circular motion.
• During conditioning, pay special attention to the crease in the upper where your toes cause the sole to flex. The upper might crack here if left untreated. Also make sure you cover all the seams and joints.
• Apply two thin layers, allowing your footwear to air dry between each application.

Waterproofing Your Boots/Footwear

• We do not recommend the use of waterproofing waxes or greases as they can seriously affect the footwear's breathability.
• Apply only treatments, polishes, conditioners and dressings recommended by the manufacturer. Always check the manufacturer's care instructions on the label of your footwear first, as each shoe is different.

Storing Your Boots/Footwear

• Store your footwear in a cool, dry place that has good ventilation. Ensure they are completely dry before you store them.
• Avoid storing your footwear in direct sunlight or packed up in bags for any length of time.

General Tips & Notes

• When your footwear gets dirty or wet, clean and dry them as soon as possible after your hike. This ensures the leather won't dry up, stiffen or crack.

Print Care Instructions