Hiking
How to clean and dry walking boots without damaging them
Clean and dry walking footwear without damaging it, choose model-appropriate care products and spot small repairs before they get worse.
Clean walking footwear lasts better when dirt is removed gently and drying is unhurried. The right care product depends on whether the upper is leather, suede, fabric or a mixture.
Clean after the trip
Remove the laces and insoles where the design allows. Brush away dirt, then clean using the maker's recommended method. Pay attention to the tread and the join between upper and sole. Remove all soil before taking footwear into kauri areas.
Dry without cooking it
Let the footwear dry with good airflow. Avoid heaters, open fires, strong heat and a hot car, which can damage materials and bonding. Treat leather or renew water repellency only with products approved for that model; a product suitable for one leather finish may change another.
Check what cleaning reveals
- Is the sole beginning to separate?
- Are hooks, eyelets or stitching damaged?
- Is the heel lining worn through?
- Are the laces fraying where they pass through a hook?
Deal with a small repair before another long walk. Keep the model name and care instructions with your gear records. When inspecting a used pair, look beyond a freshly polished upper: the sole bond and inner condition can tell you more about how it will perform.
Read next: Hiking boots or trail shoes: choosing for the track.
Sources and photo credit
Information checked 29 September 2026.
Photo: DocteurCosmos. Original photograph; CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for web display.
