Taking care of your footwear is simple, and consists of cleaning the exterior and the interior, drying and protection.
- For correct cleaning of the exterior, we recommend avoiding aggressive products in favour of a soft brush and warm water. If your boots have been used in particularly dry or sandy conditions, you’ll first need to remove the dust. To do this, you can clean using a paintbrush before washing your boots, or remove dust using compressed air. You should not only clean the upper, but also the sole, eyelets and hooks. If you’re very keen, you can use special detergent products which are commonly available. While the leather is still damp, we recommend using a waterproofing spray, which improves the performance of your boots and prolongs their life.
- To clean the interior, first you need to remove the insole, which can be washed and dried. Once the insole is removed, it’s easy to put your hand inside and brush the interior; take particular care not to damage membranes and seams.
- After brushing your boots, prevent damage as they dry by placing them out of the sun and away from heat sources, completely unlaced to avoid unwanted creases. Your boots should be dried at room temperature.
- The best way to store your boots is with scrunched-up paper inside to retain the shape.
CHECKING THE CONDITION OF FOOTWEAR
Each time you go out it’s a good idea to check the condition of your boots both inside and outside, especially after long periods without using them. Soles in particular, if not used constantly, are subject to the chemical process of hydrolysis, in which the polyurethane molecules it contains break down. If your boots are fairly old, you should check them at home. If their condition is not great, it might be a good idea to carry a spare pair, to prevent unwanted surprises spoiling your day.
WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER RESOLING?
If you’re thinking about getting your boots resoled, don’t put it off too long. A boot in terrible condition will be more difficult to resole, and the results will probably not be so good. Resoling reduces both waste and the consumption of resources , including by the manufacturer, who must design footwear that can be repaired. You can access this service via our network of official resolers or at any of our SCARPA retailers; read more on the “long life design” page.