TUTORIAL - How to Clean and Waterproof Hiking Shoes 🥾 | Decathlon, by Decathlon EN on YouTube. 4 min 51 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 51 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes plus drying time
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Set out a soft brush, a sponge or cloth, mild soap or shoe cleaner, lukewarm water, newspaper and a waterproofing spray or leather wax. Work outside or over a sink.
Take out the laces and insoles. Let the mud dry, then brush it off with a dry brush so you do not push wet dirt deeper into the fabric.
Mix a little mild soap in lukewarm water. Scrub the upper with the soft brush in small circles, dipping the brush as you go. Skip harsh detergents.
Clean the sole and tread lugs with a stiffer brush and dig out grit with a small tool. Rinse the brush often so mud does not spread.
Wipe the whole boot with a damp cloth to lift soap residue. Do not soak the boots or hold them under running water.
Stuff the boots with newspaper and let them air dry at room temperature. Keep them away from radiators, fires and direct sun.
For synthetic and mixed boots, spray waterproofing treatment evenly over the clean, dry upper from about 20 cm away. Let it dry fully before wearing.
For leather boots, warm a little leather wax or conditioner in your hands and rub it in with a cloth. Buff off the excess and let it soak in.
After every hike, brush off dry dirt and rinse the sole. Store the boots laced, clean and dry, never sealed in a damp bag.
Tips and common mistakes
Test any spray or wax on a small hidden patch first, since some treatments darken leather or change the colour of synthetic mesh.
Spray waterproofing outdoors or in a ventilated room and avoid breathing in the mist.
Never dry boots on a radiator or in a tumble dryer, because heat softens the glue and shrinks leather.
Reapply the treatment when water stops beading on the surface, usually every few months of regular hiking.
Questions
How often should I clean my hiking boots?
Brush off dry dirt after every hike and do a full wash and waterproofing every few months, or whenever the boots are muddy and water stops beading.
Can I put hiking boots in the washing machine?
No. Machine washing and drying breaks down the glue, leather and waterproof membrane. Clean them by hand with a brush and a little mild soap.
Do I need to waterproof new boots?
Most new boots come with a factory water repellent finish. Reapply a spray or wax once water no longer beads on the upper.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
