How To Maintain My Children's Hiking Boots?

Since hiking boots can be an investment, it is advised to take good care of your children's hiking boots. If you are not familiar with how to maintain hiking boots and how to prolong their lifespan, we recommend reading through our useful guide below.

How Do I Check My Children's Hiking Boots Before A Hike?

To keep hiking boots in mint condition, it is essential to check them before you go for a hike. When the hiking boots have been worn before, it is possible that they may require some extra maintenance before you head out with the kids. Below, we have provided the essential checking steps before heading of.

Check the waterproof layer - Leather has a natural waterproof quality, but this can fade over time. To protect the material of your hiking boots, it is essential to use a waterproof spray from time to time, this will renew the waterproof layer on the boot and protect it against damage.

Please note that there is a difference between waterproofing leather boots and synthetic boots. Waterproofing products for leather will usually have an oil base, while those for synthetics are silicone based. When in doubt, you can always contact Anaconda for advice.

Check the laces - Always make sure that the shoelaces of the boots are in good condition. If there is significant fraying, it could cause the lace to snap during a hike, which obviously is far from ideal. Fortunately, you can easily replace the shoelaces once they become frayed.

Check for visible signs of wear and tear - You should also perform a general check of the shoe. Are there any cracks in the material? Is the sole still glued properly? Is there a problem with the stitching? Even though these problems may require you to replace the hiking boots in question, you want to spot them before they become a problem during a hike.

How Do I Clean My Kids Hiking Boots?

Once you have been on a hike, it will be necessary to clean and maintain your children's boots. But what are the best methods to keep hiking boots in the best possible condition?

Remove debris - The first thing you will do is removing the debris from the hiking boots. The sole of the boots can contain anything from dirt to seeds and other unwanted stuff. Use a stiff brush to remove this debris from the sole. If there is any dirt or grime on the upper part of the boot, only remove it with a soft brush. Using a stiff brush could cause damage to the material.

Dealing with wet boots - It is likely that hiking boots will get wet at one point or another. When this occurs, it is essential to let them dry naturally. Do not put them near a heat source, because this could damage the glue around the sole. Instead, stuff some newspaper in the boots to promote the drying process and help the boots maintain their shape.

Clean on the inside - While most hikers have no problems cleaning the outside of the boot, they often forget about the inside. Unfortunately, the salt released from sweat can damage the material on the inside. Therefore, it is always recommended to wipe the inside too. You can also use some warm water to remove any stains caused by sweating.

Waterproof the boots - Once you are done cleaning the outside and the inside of the boots, you will have to apply another waterproof layer. While you could wait until before a hike, it is always best to do it after a hike, this prevents damage in case you forge to apply a new waterproof layer. If your child has leather hiking boots, you should also apply a good leather conditioner to maintain the leather and stop it from drying out.

Buying Hiking Boots For Kids At Anaconda

Anaconda has a wide range of hiking boots for kids in its catalogue. We have low hiking shoes, but also medium and high hiking boots for maximum stability. If you need a new pair of hiking boots or shoes for your kids, be sure to check out the overview of hiking shoes in our catalogue to get a great deal.