How to keep Leather Boots from Cracking

Last Updated on August 1, 2024 by Sarah Jaffe

Leather boots are both stylish and practical, something that any shoe lover can appreciate. Though people are satisfied with the reliability and durability of this footwear, cracks begin to form in the material after extended use.

Caring for your leather boots properly is key to making them last longer. By following these few steps, you can keep your boot in pristine condition for years to come. Storing them properly, cleaning and protecting them regularly, and repairing any damage as soon as it occurs will help extend the life of your favorite footwear.

You can make your beloved shoes last longer by taking proper care of them – and it’s not as hard as you might think. By following this guide, you’ll be able to keep them shiny and avoid pesky creases.

Tips to Keep Your Leather Shoes Free of Cracks

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that statement especially holds true when it comes to preserving leather footwear.

Following are some critical precautions for protecting leather boots from cracking;

1: Maintain your leather shoes spotless constantly

Keeping your leather boots clean is one of the most vital things you can do to avoid them from cracking. This is due to filthy leather, which becomes hard, rigid, and unpleasant to wear when it gets dirty.

Thus, it is best to get into the habit of cleaning your footwear regularly – both inside and out – before you store them away or at the end of each day. Use mild soap and a damp cloth to clean them.

2: Conditioning

As leather is a natural substance that dries out with time as you wear it more, Hence, it is crucial that you use natural oils like mink oil or neatsfoot to condition your leather boot. You should use a leather conditioner on any black or dark-colored leather items you want to preserve. 

Not only will it help preserve your footwear by hydrating and softening the leather, but it will also avoid cracks and loss of fragrance.

3: Avoid over-exposing to sunlight or heat

Just like your skin, too much sun can damage leather. It will make the leather dry, hard, and eventually crack. If you must expose your shoes to sunlight, do so sparingly and only for a few minutes at a time.

4: Polishing

Another crucial piece of advice to avoid cracks from forming and extending the life of your leather boots is to use polish on them.

Make a habit of regularly shining your footwear for them to look great. This will also help to lock in moisture and stop cracks from forming, as well protecting the leather from dirt and debris.

5: Store them appropriately

It’s also critical to maintaining your leather boot correctly. They should be kept in a cool and dry location, which means they mustn’t be exposed to extreme heat or humidity.

If you can’t keep your boots in a such place, shoe trees are an excellent way to preserve the shape of your leather footwear while also absorbing moisture and providing ventilation.

6: Remove Creases on Tim

If you don’t take care of creases timely, they will turn into cracks. Cracks are irreparable and will ruin the look of your product. This implies that, as soon as you begin to notice creases in your leather boot, you should get rid of them. To do so, you can use a shoe stretcher or rub them down with some oil.

7: Don’t use Grating cleaners

If you want to maintain your leather products including boots looking great, use pH-balanced or neutral cleaners to prevent the leather from drying out. You can always ask the seller before purchasing a cleaner or read the package information. If you cannot find extensive details, then it is best to bypass them altogether.

8: Waxing

Wax can help extend the lifespan of your leather boot by forming a protective barrier between the leather and outside elements. To avoid fractures from forming, you should apply beeswax to your boots on a regular basis.

How to Repair lengthy splits or Snags in Leather Shoes

While it may seem daunting, fixing cracks on leather footwear is certainly possible. If your beloved footwear is starting to show its age, don’t despair – with a little care and attention, you can easily breathe new life into them.

Use Filler:

A filler, such as shoe goo, can be used to repair cracks on your leather shoes. Shoe goo is a great illustration of this concept since it comes in a variety of colors and may be used to fill gaps or holes in your boots.

It’s also simple to use and dries out quickly, so you won’t have to wait long before putting your boot on.

Although a filler will provide a temporary remedy, it is important to keep in mind that the cracks in your leather shoes will still be visible, and they may reappear after some time has passed.

Changing the whole Segment:

If your leather shoes have cracks, you can either replace the broken section with new parts or repair the existing crack. Although it costs more money, this option is the most effective and long-lasting solution.

A cobbler can fix it for you. It’s not always easy to replace leather parts of your shoes, so get a cobbler with experience if possible.

Use Leather Crack Restorer:

If you don’t want to replace the entire section of your leather shoes, you may use a leather crack repair solution instead.

Many leather restoration kits on the market today can repair cracks in shoes effectively. Before using it on your boots, check the materials of your shoe to see if it is compatible.

Conclusion

Adding a pair of well-cared-for leather boots to your outfit can really make it pop. Be sure to follow these tips so you know how to best take care of them.

Furthermore, if you follow the advice carefully, your valuable leather boots will endure a long period. When properly maintained, leather boots are a smart investment. Not only do they look great, but they’ll also last you many years. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it was informative and helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below. Have a great day!

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