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3 Ways To Extend The Life Of Your Winter Boots

4 August 2016 by Bojana Graus

You may only wear your winter boots for a few weeks or months out of the year, but the frigid cold weather combined with wet snow and ice can do a lot of damage to your footwear in a short amount of time. You can experience shrinkage or warping of your boots or even cracks or holes in the protective lining due to poor care or extreme weather conditions. Here are 3 ways to extend the life of your winter boots so they can last for many seasons.

Dry them after each use

A boot dryer, which can be purchased from any outdoor supply or shoe care supply store, is a great way to keep your boots dry between uses. This dryer features individual stands that your boots sit upside-down in while being dried with a gentle, constant warm air. Allow a few hours of drying time to completely dry your boots. If you don't have a boot dryer, you can use a traditional hair dryer on a cool setting to dry the exterior of your boots while the liner can be removed and placed on a hanger to dry.

Bring them indoors

While winter boots are designed to be hardy and able to withstand great temperature changes, they should not be left outside uncovered and left to the elements. Snow and ice piling on unused boots can warp the protective rubber and leather exterior, and the liner can get damaged or stained from moisture. Bring your boots inside and place them by your door, or at the very least, cover them with plastic grocery bags before leaving them outside so they can be protected from moisture.

Apply a waterproof coating

Your winter boots should already have some waterproof qualities, and you can make them even more water-resistant by applying a waterproof coating to them every few weeks. This coating comes in a spray and applies a transparent layer of water-resistant protection on your rubber, leather, and other outdoor materials. If your winter boots are leather only, you can apply a thick waterproof wax to them, which can be found at your local outdoor supply store.

You want your winter boots to last for many years, and the best way to do this is by taking care of them each season. There are many boot supply items you can purchase to keep your boots protected, from using a boot dryer to applying a waterproof coating, to make them even more durable. For more information, contact professionals like White's Boots.

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