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Often our hiking boots become our faithful companions for decades: we use them, we re-use them, every occasion is good to take them out of the cupboard - even in bad weather or on trails that test both us and them.
That's why it is essential that we take the best possible care of them, so that we can keep them perfect and functional for as long as we want!
Here are our tips for caring for nubuck boots.
Keep them well cleaned
Every time you come back from a hike, arm yourself with a brush, lukewarm water and above all elbow grease: it is very important to clean them immediately, before the dirt and grime dries out and becomes impossible to remove (compromising the characteristics of the boot).
Very important: never use soaps or detergents, they would plug the pores of the materials - if you must, look for ones specifically for nubuck in specialised shops or sites!
Take care of the interior
When cleaning them, remove the insole and also give the inside a wipe with a damp sponge - this is the part most subject to stress and heat, being in direct contact with the foot and sweat.
Replace the insole regularly
The insole is the part of the boot that deteriorates the fastest, always being crushed by our weight and absorbing all the moisture from the foot: always let it dry outside the boot, and as soon as you see that it starts to wear or deteriorate, replace it immediately (your feet and your back will thank you most of all!).
Air-dry them
Once the boots have been cleaned, absolutely avoid leaving them exposed to the sun and direct heat sources such as fireplaces or radiators: the change in temperature irreparably ruins the materials, as well as risking that exposure to the sun will fade the colours. Leave them in a dry place protected from light.
Trick: if you want to dry them faster, stuff the inside with newspaper sheets.
Don't worry too much
The boots are ultra-durable, designed to be used as much as possible - so don't worry about ruining or creasing them, instead, enjoy your hikes without any worries!
