Hiking shoes
are shoes designed and manufactured for climbing and traveling, ideal for outdoor sports. Water resistance is the primary function of modern hiking shoes. The waterproof and breathable performance of hiking shoes is unmatched by ordinary sports shoes.
Outdoor knowledge: How to clean and maintain hiking shoes.
1. Storage: After each wear, remove the insole, loosen the laces, and let the shoes dry naturally. If the shoes are very wet, stuff them with newspaper or shoe holders (don’t forget: change the newspapers that are already wet from time to time). Also, avoid leaving your shoes in a high temperature environment (including inside a car). Do not store dry shoes in damp spaces (leather is a natural product and is prone to mold)
2. Cleaning: Dirt particles can enter the leather fibers, causing them to fray and break
a) For dirty GORE-TEX shoes – clean with a brush and water first. For non-leather shoes (such as nylon surface), just use a sponge to clean with warm water. If it is oily, or very dirty, it is best to use a leather cleaner and a nylon brush to clean the surface. As for the inner lining of the shoe, wipe it with a damp cloth, because the salt from sweat will quickly pass through the inner lining. Enter into the pores of the leather, and destroy the leather structure, making it dry and cracked
b) Cleaning the nubuck GORE-TEX shoes – when the shoes are dry, brush off the floating soil and treat with a water repellent . Do not use shoe wax or shoe polish, they will impair breathability of the shoe
c) Wash non-leather GORE-TEX shoes – wash in cold water and dry naturally. Treat with water repellent after drying. Do not use shoe wax or shoe polish, they will impair the breathability of the shoe
3. Drying:
a) All shoes must be dried at room temperature. Because the leather is easy to burn, deform and bend, dry and burst, do not put the shoes near heat sources or expose them to the sun
b) Thick mud let the wind dry and clean up. Do not use fire to dry hiking boots. Excessive heat will dry and wrinkle the leather, and the adhesive properties will also be destroyed, which will melt the soles of the boots
c) Do not use stoves or hair dryers to dry! If you use a stove or hair dryer to dry, it will not only be seriously deformed, causing cracking or cracking, but also seriously affect the service life.
4. Maintenance: properly maintained hiking boots can last for several years. Regularly use footwear care products to maintain leather and restore surface water resistance. Without the maintenance and water-resistant treatment of GORE-TEX shoes, the waterproof breathability of GORE-TEX membranes will not be compromised, but the breathability, durability and comfort of the entire pair will be compromised. The water repellant recommended by GORE can be used.
a) You can use the leather protective spray wax or GORE-TEX special spray wax to evenly spray the hiking shoes 2-3 times, which is beneficial to prolong the service life
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b) Water repellent treatment: Treat non-leather shoes with water repellent after drying. Water will penetrate from the seam line, and the waterproof agent can improve the waterproof degree of the upper and the stitching. The newly purchased hiking boots must be re-applied with the waterproof agent for a period of time. At the same time, the hiking boots must be kept dry and clean. The waterproof agent must be applied and stitched. Lines and pinholes, one to two days before the event, you must apply a waterproof agent to the upper to allow the leather to fully absorb. Nylon hiking boots are not easy to be waterproof due to many pores, so you can use a silicone-based spray, no matter any boots must be kept dry.
c) Rub oil on the tongue to prevent the leather from emitting Noise, rubbing oil on metal parts can prevent them from oxidizing and rusting
5. Replace the sole: the sole wears out faster than the upper, and generally high-priced hiking boots can replace the sole, update The sole of the boot will be tighter because the upper has changed the original size.
6. Keep the insole clean
(Source: CDC)