Ultimate Guide To Restoring Leather Boots // Back To Life In 4 Mins, by Real Men Real Style on YouTube. 4 min.
- Video length
- 4 min
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes plus drying time
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Pull the laces out and take out the insoles if they lift free. Brush off dry mud and dust with a stiff brush, working into the welt and around the eyelets.
Work saddle soap into a damp brush until it lathers, then scrub the leather in small circles. Go over the whole boot, including the sides and heel.
Wipe the soap off with a clean damp cloth. Rinse the cloth as you go and do not soak the leather or leave water sitting in the seams.
Push shoe trees or rolled newspaper into the boots so they hold their shape. Let them air dry at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
Put a small amount of leather conditioner on a cloth and work it in with your fingers in thin coats. Cover the whole boot and let it soak in for 20 to 30 minutes.
Buff the leather with a horsehair brush using quick back and forth strokes. This lifts excess conditioner and brings up the shine.
Dab cream polish in a matching colour onto scuffs and worn patches. Buff again once it dries.
Apply a thin layer of wax or waterproofing spray to the seams and lower boot. Let it dry fully before you wear them.
Put the insoles back, lace the boots up and store them with shoe trees in.
Tips and common mistakes
Never dry wet leather on a radiator or in direct sun, because it cracks and shrinks.
Clean off mud and road salt soon after a walk, since salt stains set into the leather.
Use a spray waterproofing product outside or in a ventilated room.
Condition every few months, and more often if the boots get soaked regularly.
Questions
Can I use normal soap instead of saddle soap?
A mild saddle soap or dedicated leather cleaner is safer, because washing up liquid and harsh soaps strip the natural oils. If you only have mild soap, use very little and condition afterwards.
How often should I condition leather boots?
Every two to three months with normal wear, and straight after the boots have been soaked or dried out. Over-conditioning makes leather soft and floppy, so keep the coats thin.
Will this work on suede or nubuck boots?
No. Suede and nubuck need a suede brush and a special suede protector, not saddle soap or cream polish. Check the label or the look of the leather before you start.
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.
