Written by Paddy Maddison in Tips & Advice on the 5th January 2017

If you’re anything like us then you’ve probably reached for the trusty winter boots at least a handful of times already this year. As temperatures continue to drop and the rain continues to get worse they’re probably going to be getting a lot of outings. More outings means more wear and tear. Winter boots are not the kind of footwear you can just leave be, they need care and attention to keep them in prime condition and looking their best – not to mention increasing their lifespan. After all, when you’ve forked out a heap of cash you’re going to want to get your money’s worth – cheap boots aren’t good boots, and good boots aren’t cheap boots.

If you’re in the dark about how to care for leather boots then don’t worry because we can give you a helping hand. Just follow these steps and you can’t go wrong. You’ll just need to invest in the following: Leather cleaner, Warm water, A toothbrush, A dry cloth, Leather oil, Protector.

Step 1: Cleaning your boots 

The first step in the process is to remove any excess dirt that is clinging to your boots. To do this, you’ll need to use your warm water and toothbrush to gently brush off the bulk of it and then use your cloth to wipe the boots clean. If there are any parts of your boots that are in need of a serious clean you can use a clean cloth or brush to apply some leather cleaner to the affected area. Once that’s done you can use the cloth to wipe away any excess cleaner and leave the material to dry out before attempting the next step.

Step 2: Treating and conditioning 

There is an endless number of products out there for conditioning your leather boots but we’d recommend going for a natural boot oil or conditioner. Once you’ve chosen your product you can get to work by using either your fingers or a clean cloth to gently rub it in using circular motions. Once you’ve applied an even layer over both boots you can move onto step three.

Step 3: Protecting your boots 

The last step is to make sure your boots stay looking fresh by applying a protector. You’re going to need a different kind of protection to what you might use on your trainers so you’ll need to pick a product that’s specially formulated for leather. Liquiproof, a brand we recently reviewed, make one of the best leather protectors on the market, which will keep your boots safe from the elements.

We show you how to clean and maintain men's footwear in this Ultimate Guide to Caring for Leather Boots.