Your walking boots are there to look after you on the hills so make sure you look after them too! So here are our top tips on how to keep your boots in peak condition.
Get the perfect fit
A pair of boots that fit correctly not only will feel more comfortable, but will also avoid damage to your boots.
If a pair of boots are too small you can damage the material by the toes, normally caused by your feet hitting the front of the boot when walking down hill. There isn't much you can do about this - so make sure your boots fit just right before you wear them for a walk.
The best way to get a pair of boots to fit properly is to visit a store with expert boot fitters, but if you are buying online we have put together this guide to help you fit them at home.
Having boots which are too big can also be a problem. If your boots have too much volume (empty space which your feet don't fit) this can cause creases to form at flex points and eventually cracks or holes to appear.
Again it is best to find a great fitting boot in the first instance, but you can fix this issue with a volume reducer or aftermarket insole.
Cleaning and Proofing
Cleaning your boots is the best thing which you can do to protect your boots. This might sound like an arduous task but it can extend the life of your boots and save you money in the long run.
You should clean mud off after every walk as the acidic soil can cause issues with the leather or fabric in the upper of your boot. Then do a "deep clean" regularly to make sure all the hidden dirt is removed.
Finally reproofing is key to keeping your boots waterproof - this can be done alongside your cleans.
For a full rundown on how to clean and proof your boots take a look at our Boot Care Guide.
Drying
Whilst it might be tempting to pop your boots on the radiator or next to the fire so they are dry for the next day's walk - this can damage your boots. Direct heat sources can cause leather to crack and the glue which holds your boot together to deteriorate.
To dry your boots remove laces and insoles, stuff the boots with newspaper and leave them to dry naturally away from direct heat.
Resoling
The soles of your boots (whilst durable) are normally the first parts of the boots to wear away. So just like you would change the tyres on your car rather than buy a new one, you can get a new sole put on your boots and extend their life further.
Resoling involves completely removing the existing used sole unit, cleaning and preparing the footwear, and then placing the footwear back on the original last (the last is the original model or shape around which your SCARPA boot or shoe is constructed.
Once the footwear has been re-lasted, only then is the whole sole unit (not just the rubber outsole) is replaced with the newest version.
Find out more about resoling on our Resoles page.
