How to clean hiking boots?

Cleaning hiking shoes and boots is essential for any adventurer who wants to keep their outdoor gear in tip-top condition. Outdoor footwear is born to get dirty. But dirt, mud and gravel can take their toll on your boots and affect their performance. Not to mention leaving them smelling less than appealing. To ensure your trail walking shoes can continue looking after you on the trails, you must also take a few caring steps to maintain them.

Regular cleaning helps your mountain shoes last longer, so you don't have to replace them too soon. Some of the reasons for cleaning your trekking boots include:

• It may not be mud on your comfortable hiking shoes. Depending on where your hike takes you, it's fairly easy to walk in oils, acids and other corrosive chemicals without knowing. These can work their way into the materials and gradually weaken and compromise the waterproofing linings and membranes of waterproof hiking shoes.

• Each time you flex your foot in your hiking boot, tiny particles of grit and dirt penetrate deeper into the fabric and leather, wearing them down like sandpaper.

• Dirt can suck out moisture from leather as it dries, leaving leather hiking boots less flexible and accelerating the ageing process.

• Caked-on dirt can stop moisture from escaping from the walking shoe, leaving the inside feeling damp.

• Dried and caked-on mud can fill the gaps in the sole's tread, almost as if there is no tread. This can stop the boots from being able to grip effectively.

Depending on the different brands, duck and goose down are commonly used in these insulated jackets. Goose down, which is what we use in all our down clothing, is considered superior due to its larger clusters. After all, geese are bigger than ducks. Duck down is still effective at insulating and is often less expensive. Goose down jackets are generally better suited for very cold conditions, while duck is better for milder temperatures.

All the goose down we use in our jackets is certified by the Responsible Down Standard or RDS. This is a voluntary code that demonstrates our commitment to the welfare of birds. At every stage of the supply change, the well-being of the birds is monitored, with no live plucking or force-feeding permitted.

Ideally, if you notice your boots are very muddy before you leave the trail, rinse them off in a stream if there’s one nearby. However, even if your walking shoes are exceptionally muddy and dirty, it doesn't take long to clean them again. Get yourself a boot brush, old toothbrush, saddle soap or specialist boot cleaner. However, a mild soap or a few drops of washing-up liquid will also work.

• Remove the insoles and laces and set aside.

• Use the brush to remove any dirt or mud from the sole. If the mud is dry and hard and proving difficult to remove, don't be tempted to use anything sharp, as this can damage the rubber. Use a flat table knife or key to gently loosen it before brushing it.

• Use the brush to remove the dirt from the rest of the boot. It's easier to do this when the mud has dried to avoid moving it around the shoe.

• Using a small amount of boot cleaner or washing up liquid and warm water, carefully scrub away any remaining dirt and mud. Finish by wiping with a soft cloth.

• Use a small amount of a degreasing agent to remove stubborn oil, grease or ink.

• Be careful not to soak your boots, which can soften the uppers, cause your footwear to lose shape and affect the waterproof lining.

• Use disinfectant spray, white vinegar, essential oils, or baking soda to absorb and neutrlise any odours.

Remember to follow the instructions for care and maintenance for all your gear, from your mountain hiking shoes and hiking socks to your hiking jacket, to ensure they last as long as possible.

If you have full-grain leather hiking boots, regularly applying some leather conditioner will keep them looking and performing at their best. Be careful not to use too much or aggressive conditioner, as this can make the boots soft and reduce the support they can provide. You can also use conditioner to help you quickly break in new leather boots. Other types of leather, such as nubuck or suede, don't need conditioning or wax.

Do you need to update your gear? Check out our range of hiking clothes for women, women's hiking shoes and waterproof shoes for men. We can kit you out from head to toe.

Once you've finished cleaning your boots, gently dry them with a towel to remove excess moisture and leave them to air dry. Whatever you do, don't be tempted to use a heat source to dry them, such as putting them in a clothes dryer or on top of a heater. This can prematurely age the leather, weaken adhesives and make the material split or crack. If the inside is still very wet, here's our tip. Scrunch up some newspaper and stuff it inside each shoe. This will remove the excess moisture while helping the shoes keep their shape.

If you're looking for a new pair of men's or women's hiking boots or a low hiking shoe, you're in the right place. Columbia Sportswear® has a great choice of hiking footwear for every type of hiker and terrain. Our all-terrain shoes range includes everything from warm and cosy winter shoes to cool and breathable hiking sandals for men. Thanks to our superb collection of trail gear, you can always be sure of looking and feeling your best in the great outdoors.