Making a Pair of Boots Last Several Seasons

Boots usually fail at the seams and the midsole long before the outsole wears through.

Drying

Never dry wet boots on a radiator or in front of a fire. Rapid heat hardens leather and separates adhesives. Loosen the laces, pull the insoles out and stuff the boots loosely with newspaper, changing it once after a few hours.

Cleaning and proofing

Brush off dried mud before it draws moisture out of the leather. Reproof while the boots are still slightly damp, which helps the treatment penetrate rather than sit on the surface.

Store boots somewhere cool and ventilated rather than sealed in a bag, where trapped damp will do more harm over a winter than a season of walking.