The leather boot care guide

Although Le Chameau’s footwear originally became renowned due to our signature rubber wellies, the leather boots we now offer have quickly become a popular choice due to their reflection of the high-quality materials and innovative technologies that are evident in all our shoes.

If you’ve recently had the pleasure of experiencing our leather boots, the last thing you’ll want is for them to get muddy or become ruined. Ideally, you’ll want the boots to last for years to come. To achieve this, you’ll need to make sure they’re looked after and treated with love.

In this quick guide, we’ll run you through how to look after your leather boots, so they can continue to carry your feet across any terrain you encounter.

How to clean your leather boots

It’s vital to treat your shoes with the right care so you can enjoy them for years to come as they remain in the best condition possible.

For a deep clean, remove the laces of your leather shoes so that you can clean the whole boot with ease. Wash these in warm water to get rid of any dirt or grime.

Use a stiff brush to give the shoes a light buff to remove any loose dirt that has stuck. In future, try to give your boots a quick brush after each wear to prevent this build up, or at least once a week.

Dip a rag into some warm water and some dedicated cleaner if you have any, wring it out so that it’s just slightly damp. Then, rub the leather all over to remove any stubborn marks. Leave them to air dry.

Consider treating your boots with conditioner every few months to prevent any cracks. This will also keep the shoes supple, healthy and resistant to water penetration while restoring any unseen damage caused by the elements.

How to store your leather boots

Consider investing in boot shapers as these will help to keep the boot’s shape and will prevent creases. Alternatively, create your own by cutting carboard to pad out the shoe down to the toes and up to the ankles, then stuff these with either tissue or old newspapers to maintain the mould of your foot.

Our boot bags also provide optimum protection for your boots, especially when you’re travelling and don’t have a cool, dry place to store them. These bags feature a large front zip opening, a top handle for ease of carrying and ventilation netting to ensure your boot is protected from dampness.

How to pull on and remove boots without causing damage

One option is to use a shoehorn to pull on your boots as this avoids the heel from becoming misshapen and damaged.

Then, when removing the boot, use a boot jack to prevent damage to the back of your boots. Using a boot remover will prevent excessive stress wear to the boot heel and will also place less stress on your back.

Avoid using your other foot or a step as these will gradually weaken the leaather over time, causing cracks and splits in the material.