The ultimate mountain boot cleaning guide from Hanwag | Sport Conrad Blog | Advices, Guides, News and Outdoor Equipment

Regular care for hiking boots not only keeps them functional and extends their lifespan, but also saves you money in the long run. Hiking and mountain boots are built tough—their materials and construction are designed to accompany you on countless adventures. However, you’ll only get to enjoy them for many years if you give them a little attention on a regular basis: clean them properly and care for them afterwards.

That’s why we asked the Bavarian boot specialist Hanwag, who has been making shoes for over 100 years: What are the most important steps when it comes to cleaning and caring for your boots?
Spoiler: it’s easier than you might think!

CLEANING AND CARING FOR HIKING BOOTS: THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS AT A GLANCE

Always clean your boots with a brush and water after every hike
Do not use aggressive detergents or cleaning agents
Allow them to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated place
Never dry or store them on or next to a heater or stove
Care for leather only with boot wax, followed by a waterproofing spray
Store boots in a dry, well-ventilated, shaded place
Proper (dry) storage prevents premature hydrolysis of the midsole

CLEANING HIKING BOOTS – OUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Clean your mountain/hiking boots thoroughly as described
Allow enough time for drying
Then move on to the right care

1. CLEANING YOUR HIKING BOOTS

After a great hike, don’t just leave your boots in the car or dump them in a damp basement. They’ve been through a lot on the trail and have likely picked up plenty of dirt.
How often should you clean them? Ideally after every tour. On dry days with only light dust, a quick brush-off is usually enough. But if your hike was muddy, you should clean and care for them right away.

If your boots look like the ones on the right in the picture, it’s time to clean them right after your hike. Photo: Hanwag

Since dirt doesn’t just disappear on its own and will eventually damage your boots, you should always remove it after every trip. First, take out the laces and insoles so you can reach all those tricky spots more easily.

What You Need to Clean Your Hiking Boots

To clean hiking and mountain boots, all you really need is a simple boot brush. For stubborn, dried-on dirt, you can use lukewarm water.
Important: Never use hot water! It will damage the leather. You can either rinse the boots under running lukewarm water or use a small basin. Don’t forget to clean the tongue of the boot, where needles, small stones, and dust often get trapped.
A special leather cleaning product is only necessary when regular brushing and lukewarm water are no longer enough to remove the dirt.

Your cleaning kit:

Boot brush
Small basin of water
Optional: special cleaning product

Most of the time, a boot brush and some water are all you need to get your boots clean. Photo: Hanwag

Cleaning the Inside of Your Boots – What You’ll Need

For leather linings: a sponge
For textile linings: a lint-free cloth
Lukewarm water

Use the sponge or cloth to wipe away any dirt from the toe box, working your way out toward the opening of the boot.

Insoles can often be washed by hand—but always check the manufacturer’s instructions. For leather insoles, simply wipe them clean with a damp cloth.

Hiking Boot Cleaning: Step-by-Step Video Guide

2. DRYING YOUR HIKING BOOTS

Once you’ve removed all the dirt, it’s time to let your boots dry slowly. Take your time with this step—drying them too quickly or in the wrong way can damage the leather.

Important: Never put wet or damp hiking boots in direct sunlight, and don’t place them near a heater or stove. Artificial heat is very harmful to leather. Ideally, let your boots dry gradually in a well-ventilated place.

For the impatient:
You can speed up the drying process a little by stuffing some paper into the toe box and replacing it regularly. This trick is especially useful on multi-day tours when you need to get the moisture out of your boots overnight.

If your boots tend to develop an odor, you can use a shoe deodorizer once they’re dry.

After your boots are dry, you can assess the condition of the leather and care for them accordingly. Photo: Hanwag

3. CARING FOR YOUR HIKING BOOTS

When the leather is dry:

You can always tell the condition of the leather by its appearance. If it looks dry and lighter in color than when it was new, it’s time to act. For this, you’ll need pure boot wax and a microfiber cloth. Important: Do not use grease or oil. These clog the pores of the leather, compromise its breathability, and can alter its properties in ways that won’t benefit your next hike. Work the wax evenly into the leather with the cloth. The goal is for the leather to regain its rich color without looking greasy. Make sure you cover all areas of the boot.

If you want to save time and effort, Hanwag has developed a special care product called the Care Sponge. This 2-in-1 product nourishes the leather with wax while also adding a protective layer. This prevents water from forming a film on the leather—just like with waterproofing, it beads up and rolls off. The Care Sponge is applied using the integrated brush attached to the bottle.

If your boots need a bit of extra care, you can also treat them with a special boot wax. Photo: Hanwag

When the leather is still in good condition:

If your boots are in good shape and the leather doesn’t look too dry, it’s still a good idea to apply a waterproofing treatment. It almost doesn’t matter which spray you use, as long as it is specifically designed for leather boots—so check before you buy.

Spray from a distance of about 30 cm (12 inches). Spraying too close can leave stains on the upper material, while spraying from too far away reduces the spray’s effectiveness. Make sure you cover every part of the boot evenly. Only then will you achieve optimal protection. This protection usually develops fully about 24 hours after application.

After cleaning, it’s always a good idea to waterproof your hiking boots. The best way to do this is with a dedicated waterproofing spray. Photo: Hanwag