How to clean, maintain and reproof leather grisport boots

Top tips on looking after your Grisport boots and shoes

If the leather on your  Grisport boots or walking shoes becomes wet, its natural breathability capability reduces. This causes wet feet, as a result of sweating and condensation.

Leather can be a bit temperamental but if you follow the simple guide below, you are sure to be successful in ensuring that your leather Grisport boots last for many years to come.

Important:

Never try to force your leather boots or shoes to dry out quickly but, instead, allow them to dry naturally and in a cool area, away from natural light. By drying your Grisport boots near an open fire or radiator the leather will dry out too quickly and over time, the leather will crack resulting in leaking boots. Also, the inner waterproof and breathable membrane (e.g. SpoTex, Sympatex) will also shrink, resulting in leaking boots. If the leather dries out too quickly, the manufacturers warranty will also become invalid.

Tools for the job:

• Shoe Brush
• Nail Brush (optional)
• Damp cloth
• Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel
• Nikwax Conditioner for Leather
• Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather

Steps:

1. Lay newspaper down on the table, or floor, ready to catch the dirt.
2. Remove the laces
3. Using a shoe brush, remove any dried or cakes of dirt onto the newspaper. Use a small brush (such as a nail brush) to get between the lugs on the sole to remove soil and debris. Pay extra attention to ensure all dirt is cleaned from around the lace hooks.
4. Use a cleaning gel such as Nikwax Cleaning Gel to remove water absorbent dirt and any stains from the leather. This will help to revitalise the water repellency and revitalise the breathability of the boots.
5. Rinse well with clean water and wipe with a damp cloth
6. If you feel that the leather needs softening, apply a conditioner. This will soften and restore the suppleness of the material, preventing the leather from becoming dry, stiff and then possibly splitting. Nikwax Conditioner for Leather will nourish the leather keeping it in top condition. This conditioner can be applied to new boots to help to ‘break them in‘. It can also be used on old boots to nourish, soften and revitalise the breathability of the leather.
7. Apply a waxing agent such as Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather. This formula will improve the water repellency and breathability of the leather and can be added when the boots are wet or dry. (For more information on its benefits, please view the video further down below!)
8. Allow your boots to dry naturally. Store your leather boots away from a heat source (e.g. radiator) or direct sun light.

Your walking boots won’t need to be conditioned and reproofed every time you wear them. A brush and wipe with a damp cloth will suffice. It is recommended (depending on how often you wear your boots) that your leather boots are conditioned and reproofed at least once a month.

Please always follow the guidance recommended by manufacturers, in order to avoid any damage or changes to the colour of your footwear.

Click here to view the care, maintenance and reproofing of Grisport Nubuck and Suede boots and/or shoes