If you’re just like us, you love your new leather boots. Not only are they comfortable and stylish, but these beautiful boots can be worn season after season without going out of style!
However, the only problem with high-quality leather boots is that they tend to crack as the leather loses its suppleness and flexibility as it ages.
Luckily, with these helpful tips on keeping leather boots from breaking, you can ensure that your favorite pair of boots will last for years!
Why Do Leather Boots Crack?
With their supple and nubuck leather, all great boots are made of natural material.
They will last for years without cracking if adequately maintained, but many people don’t support them. Most of us neglect to do some basic things to keep them in shape.
The worst thing about leaving your boots cracked for long periods is that it makes them more complicated and sometimes impossible to repair effectively.
There are quite a few reasons why leather boots crack; below is an overview of each cause.
- The first reason is that boots are worn every day. Even if you take them off and keep them in a dry area, cracks can form. Footwear can’t be 100 percent waterproof, so water will end up seeping into your shoes whether it rains or snows outside. Water and moisture contribute significantly to leather cracking.
- Another reason why boots crack is the heat. Leather is sensitive material, and the effects of extreme heat can be visible after just one summer.
- Also, leather shoes tend to crack because shoes often have gaps between seams that allow excessive movement. Bending shoes with too much weight on one side also causes this problem.
- And finally, if you regularly walk on uneven surfaces like gravel or stones, these materials will slowly wear away at the soles of your shoes and eventually even penetrate through the entire shoe, causing deep cracks in leather shoes.
The Difference Between Smooth and Rough Crack
You must know the difference between smooth and rough, deep cracks to stop leather boots from cracking.
Soft cracks are not deep and usually only occur when the leather is exposed to water or excessive sweat.
Rough cracks often happen because they’re deep and make your boots hard to wear. These can be repaired using a soft cotton cloth and some leather cleaner. You can use saddle soap, mink oil, shoe cream, or shoe polish for these cracks.
Avoiding A Leather Boot Crack
Leather boots are a popular choice in footwear because they last much longer than regular shoes, but they still crack over time. Leather cracks when the fibers are damaged and become dry.
The leather can be repaired with a product like a leather conditioner, which restores the moisture to the leather boot. Soft cotton cloths also restore the natural sheen to cracked leather boots.
If you see that your boots have become dry and cracked, don’t hesitate to find a simple solution to avoid cracking before it happens! There are many different ways to prevent leather boots from cracking:
- When wearing them regularly, use mink oil or another leather conditioner on the inside of your leather shoes to prevent dryness. In this way, they will maintain their shape and will not crack.
- To prevent leather cracks, keep your leather shoes away from water.
- Another way to avoid boot cracks is to take them off after walking around for a few hours. Then, wear the boots back on again for the rest of the day. By taking off your shoes periodically, you reduce stress and strain on the shoe’s structure and increase its durability by allowing it to rest.
- It’s also essential to choose carefully when buying new leather boots to fit properly from day one. A tight pair of leather shoes will always lead to cracks at some point in time as they wear out more quickly than loose-fitting ones would. You should consult a shoe fitter before purchasing new boots to determine how much room you need for your toes and ankles.
What To Do If You See Cracks In Your Boots?
If you see cracks in your boots, the best thing to do is take them to a reputable shoe repair store and have them repaired.
If you don’t want to fix them, here are some ways to improve cracked or scuffed leather boots yourself at home without taking too much time out of your day. A few methods to repair leather boots are listed below:
- Apply mink oil, shoe cream, or another type of leather conditioner with UV protection to keep moisture from damaging the leather.
- If applying oil doesn’t seem like enough protection for your boot’s leather, clean the leather boot with saddle soap and use a light coat over it before applying oil or other conditioners. Once that dries, apply more oil or leather conditioner as desired.
- Waxing is also a great way to repair cracked leather boots because the wax will form a protective barrier against water or dry air. You should rub the wax into the broken area using circular motions until the wax starts coming off onto your fingers. Allow the polish to dry and repeat as needed until it forms an even layer that protects the boot’s surface.
Cleaning Your Leather Boots With Care
Remember when caring for your leather boots that the harsher you are on them, the sooner they will start to crack—cleaning your shoes with care, using saddle soap, and avoiding harsh solvents or abrasives.
You should first give your boots a good wipe-down with a microfiber cloth to remove any dust or dirt from the surface.
Next, use a small amount of gentle soap and water to clean away any grease or grime. Avoid using aggressive products like acetone or dishwashing detergent. Let your boots air dry before applying polish to maintain the softness of the leather’s surface.
Conclusion
Leather boots are excellent because they can last for years with proper care. There are many ways to prevent leather shoes from cracking.
However, the best and most important thing you can do is take care of them and make sure that you clean and moisturize them regularly.
