LIFE-PROOF YOUR FOOTWEAR

Footwear has the hardest life of all. Our walking boots and shoes have to endure all terrains and all weathers. Without regular and rigorous upkeep, they can crack, leak and start to fall apart.

Periodic cleaning and re-proofing is key to longer-lasting footwear. Start by removing the laces and insoles, then loosen the tongues. An old, blunt knife is ideal for hooking out dried mud and stones clogging the rubber soles. Wet the uppers with a sponge or the sprinkle setting on a garden hose (don’t submerge them or use a high-pressure jet setting) and scrub away caked-on muck with a soft brush. A footwear cleaning gel (we’ve used Nikwax’s, £4) can help shift ingrained dirt. Rinse once clean, and while the uppers are still wet, you can apply a re-proofing and conditioning product, dabbing away any excess with a cloth. From time to time, it’s also worth cleaning out the insides. Removing the insoles first, pour in a little warm water to swill out gunk and grit (stuffing them with scrunched-up newspaper or kitchen roll speeds up drying).

There are specially formulated spongeon and spray proofers for synthetic uppers and napped leather (nubuck and suede). For old-school leather, you might prefer the nourishing rain and stain protection of a rub-in wax or paste. Conditioners keep leather soft and supple – less likely to crack and easier on your feet. Leave your boots or shoes to air dry. Et voilà, they’re good to go.