t Hanwag, we make all our footwear using complex techniques that require a high level of craftsmanship. As a result, all our footwear can be resoled. Look after your boots correctly and they will last you a lifetime. I talked to the Hanwag team and collected our top tips for good shoe care for you…
1. CLEANING
Remove insoles and the laces too if they are very dirty.
Outside: Brush off any dirt every time you’ve worn the footwear. If the dirt is hard to remove, rinse the footwear under running water. Special leather cleaners should be applied if nothing else helps. Soap damages the impregnation and most types of leather.
Inside: Leather and textile linings (as in most GORE-TEX®boots) are best cleaned with a sponge or a soft brush and fresh water. Do not use hot water.
Drying: Thoroughly dry your boots after cleaning in a well-aired, dry and shady place with their tongues wide open. If really wet, stuff leather-lined footwear with paper and exchange it several times. The same applies to GORE-TEX ®boots which dry faster and more effectively with paper (toilet or kitchen paper – never newspaper). Also here it is important to exchange the paper at least once every half an hour.
Please note: Never keep wet or damp shoes in non-aired and humid places like plastic bags, car boots, basements etc. Never dry boots near an oven or over fire or any other source of heat. The leather will burn, turn brittle, dry and crack. Another downside is that the entire shoe can lose its shape.
2. IMPREGNATION
Regularly apply impregnation sprays (also on new footwear). Spray on the dry footwear after cleaning. The impregnation achieves its full effect after 24 hours. Spray carefully and keep about 30 cm distance. Don’t forget the shoelaces and the inaccessible corners on the tongue.
Our tip for leather uppers: Use Hanwag Care Sponge on dry boots, ideally after cleaning. Apply the emulsion with the sponge to the leather and allow to dry for at least 24 hours. Don’t forget hard-to-reach spots (e.g. the tongue).
3. LEATHER CARE
Dry leather needs moisturizing. Use special wax (no grease or oil). Massage a thin coat of wax into the dry leather. Please note: With each wax application, the rough surface of nubuck, suede or any other split leather will darken slightly. If you don’t like this effect you can roughen up the leather again with a special suede brush and remove any excess wax.
Please note: Nubuck, suede or other split leather will darken slightly and become smoother every time you apply wax. If you don’t like this effect, you can always roughen up the leather again with a special suede brush. Simply brush off any excess wax.
4. FURTHER TIPS
- Only store your boots upright with no pressure in a dry and well-aired place. Tip: Use a shoetree.
- Don’t let your footwear come into contact with oil, diesel, petroleum or slurry. If this happens clean your footwear immediately.
- After a longer period of storage, roughen the tread on the sole a little bit, using a wire brush or fine sandpaper.
- Brush off your boots every time you’ve worn them.
Click here to find Hanwag care products in our online shop
