How to care for your horse riding boots

Proper care of your leather riding boots (like all your riding tack) will keep them looking great and extend their life tremendously. Do you want your boots to last you 6 months or do you want years of riding out of them?  Its all in how you care for them.

 

1. The number one rule is to not wear your riding boots when you are not on your horse! Put on some paddock boots or gum boots / wellies to fetch your horse from the paddock or stables and tack up.  Change into your riding boots just before you get on and take them off again as soon as you get off your horse.  It is estimated that half an hour of walking around in riding boots is equivalent to at least 5 hours or more of riding in terms of the wear and tear on your riding boots.  If you use your riding boots for walking around in, specially in the paddocks, they will not look good within a short period of time.


2. Clean and dry your riding boots after each use: Wipe and dirt or dust from the surface of your riding boots with a barely damp cloth or sponge. Mud, dirt, manure, horse sweat etc can leech moisture from the leather and can rot the stitching, lining and elastic. They can also cause abrasions and cracking. Remember to clean the sole too.


3. Ensure your boots are properly dry and then use cleaning and conditioning products designed specifically for leather boots, rather than using a tack cleaner. Never use household cleaners on your boots as they may permanently damage the leather and apply oil-based products to wet leather. It is best to check your boot manufacturer’s guidelines for the appropriate product. When it comes time to shine your tall riding boots, apply a boot cream or boot polish to a clean boot with a soft rag, then buff with a boot polishing brush followed by another clean rag until the boot is shiny. Always apply leather cleaning/conditioning products to the cloth first and not directly to the boot.  Test a small section first when using new products.


4. Protect your boots on wet days by using overshoes. Be sure to remove overshoes before storage. Condensation forms between the boot, your foot and the overshoe when you wear these covers, so air must be allowed to circulate and dry the sole of the boot to prevent mildewing and to preserve the integrity of the stitching afterward. If your tall riding boots get wet, allow them to dry completely and naturally at room temperature before wearing them again. Never place wet leather boots near a heat source such as a radiator, fireplace, wood stove or space heater.


5. Insert boot trees in your tall boots when not being worn to maintain their shape and the life of the zippers. Allow perspiration inside the boots to dry naturally before inserting boot trees. As with all leather products, your tall riding boots should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment that is free from rodents. Extreme heat and cold temperatures are detrimental to leather.

6. Boot bags are great way to store boots, and they keep them safe from damage while travelling, too.


7. Synthetic riding boots should be cleaned with a damp cloth only and not with leather cleaner – this applies to any synthetic parts of a leather boot. Certain leather cleaners may actually deteriorate the synthetic parts of a boot.


8. Zips:

    • Ensure your leg measurements do not exceed the size prescribed for your brand of boots. This is the key to the longevity of your boot zippers (and elastic panel). If they are too big and bunch up, this can also affect the zips.
    • Pull the zipper down completely before you slip your foot into or out of the boot.
    • Be gentle!! Never force a zipper to open or close. Get someone to help you if your zip gets caught on your breeches or sock – yanking it will cause it to break.
    • Remove salt, dust or sand from the zipper teeth using a toothbrush or similar tool. Add just a bit of water to the brush if you need to remove salt from the zipper.
    • Use a silicon lubricant designed for boot zippers to extend the life of your zippers and make them zip smoothly.
    • Don’t let the boots flop over when not being used, as it could damage some of the teeth

    FAQs

    Q. If I buy a more expensive pair of boots, will they last longer?

    A. Not necessarily. It all depends on how you care for them. The softer, more premium leather that will give you a close contact feel, can be more vulnerable to scuffs from stones etc than some cheaper options.  Protect your riding boots by caring for them properly and you will get much more use from them.

    Q. How often should I clean my boots?

    A. Ideally after each ride. If your boots got wet or muddy, extra care will be required.

    Q. How long should a pair of riding boots last?

    A. With proper maintenance, quality boots can serve you well for several riding seasons. Of course, the lifespan also depends on how often you ride and the conditions they endure. Treat them right, and they'll be your loyal companions on many a riding adventure. However, without the right care you might only get a season out of them.