Winter is on the way and it is officially the boot season. You want to look for ways
to make your favorite leather boots last through a long season of snow, sleet and
cold? Probably everyone wants to make their high quality leather boots last long,
hopefully for years ahead. To do this, you will want to take good care of your
leather and suede boots so they keep their comfort and their look after the cold
season. Before even the first wear, it is important to protect the leather of your boots, so you won’t damage the leather of your boots.

The steps are divided in three categories: the cleaning, the conditioning
and the waterproofing.

Here is a what you will need to have in hand to prepare your leather and suede boots for the winter season:

First, the LEATHER boots.

The Cleaning

1. Remove the laces

They could keep you from reaching all the crevices of the boots. Wash the
laces in soapy water or get new ones if they are worn out.
*If it has zippers, try opening the zippers - dust can get on the leather
behind.

2. Place your boots on an old piece of cloth or newspaper - flattened on
a table or floor

3. Brush your boots with a soft-bristled brush - like a horsehair brush -
to remove any dirt, dust and light stains (or salt particles).

4. Use a damp rag and saddle soap.
Dip the damp rag in the saddle soap and rub the leather on the boots with
circular motions.

5. Let the boots air dry - about 10 minutes.

The Conditioning

This part is crucial to keep the quality of the leather for several years. The
conditioning will keep a balanced moisture of the leather to keep cracks from
happening or to weaken the leather. Prevention is the key! There is no way to
repair it once that happens. Always keep the leather supple, healthy and resistant
to water penetration. Conditioning is the solution.

Always test your leather conditioner or balm before using it all over it - apply a
small spot on your boot and try waiting for a couple of hours. This substance
could change the color of the leather quite drastically (note that the color of your
boots may be slightly darker for the first few days).

1. Lay the boots on a piece of old cloth or newspaper.

2. Rub-down the boots with a clean dry rag.

3. Apply some leather conditioner or balm on the boots with a second clean
dry rag*. Use a light press in circular motions - the product should get in all
crevices and creases.
*If you have sensitive skin, it might be good to wear some gloves for this step

4. Wipe off any excess of the product.

5. Let the boots air dry - about 20 minutes.
**if your boots are very dry or they have not been treated in a while, they could
need 2-3 applications of conditioning. Observe the leather on the boots. When it
looks damp with the conditioning substance, you’ll know they have the
conditioning they need.

6. Polishing and shining - this part is not necessary, but it gives the leather
more smoothness overall.

Waterproofing

In general, high quality leather boots are water-resistant. Be consistent with
conditioning your boots before they first wear of the season - before getting wet

or exposed to the elements outside. This should do the trick to be water resistant.
However, if you want to take extra measures to waterproof your leather boots…

1. Use a wax-based polish after conditioning

2. Apply a waterproof spray over the leather - it has to be the last thing you
put on your shoes.

SUEDE BOOTS

Suede material does not need the same care of leather material. It is more fragile
and delicate, so you need to keep that in mind when you clean your suede shoes.

1. Remove the laces
They could keep you from reaching all the crevices of the boots. Wash the
laces in soapy water or get new ones if they are worn out.
*if it has zippers, try opening the zippers - dust can get on the leather
behind.

2. Place you boots on an old piece of cloth or newspaper - flattened on a table
or floor

3. Brush your boots with a suede brush (very important) - to remove any dirt,
dust and light stains (or salt particles).

• Rub the boots over with a suede brush in circular motions with a light

press - too rough or scrubbing too hard could wear off the boots

4. Use a suede protector spray. Spray evenly on the surface of the boots.

5. Let the boots air dry - about 20 minutes

CARE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON

Even if you have high quality leather or suede boots and you take good care of
them before each winter season, they can get damp occasionally. Keep in mind
to always let your leather shoes dry at room temperature. Not next to a heat
source, such as a fire, because it could cause the leather to dry too quickly and
then crack.

Once a week

• Brush your leather boots with a soft-bristled brush (horsehair brush)
• Brush your suede boots with a suede brush

Every month (for a daily use) or every three months (for occasional use)

• Cleaning and conditioning the leather boots by following the steps above
• Brushing and spraying your suede boots by following the steps above