Filson 101: How to Care For Your Leather Boots

HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE LIFESPAN AND MAINTAIN WATER REPELLENCY OF YOUR LEATHER FOOTWEAR.

Every now and then, your trusty boots will need a little TLC to keep them ready for any weather. This is not the fanciest method, but it’s simple, straightforward, and will do the job.

FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS TO RECONDITION YOUR FILSON LEATHER BOOTS:

black and white image of workboots with a cloth and polish

YOU WILL NEED:

1. Leather boots
2. Leather conditioner or boot oil/weather sealant.
3. Shop rags
4. Wire or stiff bristle brush (not absolutely necessary)

 

STEPS:

1 – UNLACE & CLEAN
Brush off any loose dirt from the upper. For caked-on and tough dirt, use a stiff-bristled cleaning brush. The stiff-bristled brush isn’t recommended for areas other than the sole, as it could scratch the leather. After removing dirt, further clean with a damp shop rag.

person sitting with hand inside boot, removing shoelaces
hand holding boot administering polish to brown leather boot

2 – LET DRY
Allow shoes to dry fully before conditioning/protecting. You do not want to lock in any moisture by applying boot oil, leather conditioner, or weather sealant before the boots are dry. NOTE: don’t put boots too close to a heat source; it might crack or shrink the leather.

legs of person sitting on chair next to boot with no laces with polishing cloth in lip of empty boot

3 – CONDITION & PROTECT
Using a clean dry shop rag, gently apply an even coat of oil or weather proofing to the leather of the entire shoe. A little goes a long way, so be careful not to oversaturate the leather. Using the rag, work the oil into the boot evenly, making sure to get into all the hard-to-reach areas. After you’ve thoroughly it, let the boot rest until dry.

hand holding tin of polish preparing to administer with cloth to unlaced boot
hand administering polish to unlaced brown boot with cloth

4 – RELACE
Lace them back up and you’re ready for any weather.

hand holding two pairs of brown boots

Shop Boots

hands tying tall brown boots Shop Boots