5 best tips for riding boots maintenance
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Time to read 3 min
Unamari designs, manufactures, and sells equestrian equipment under the brands Catago, Horse Guard, and Equipage. That’s why we exclusively offer the full range of riding boots from Equipage right here on this page, for both children and adults.
Riding boots are an essential part of every rider’s gear. They go through a lot. To ensure your riding boots look great and last a long time, it’s important to take proper care of them.
We’ve gathered five valuable tips for caring for riding boots made from different materials. At the end, you’ll also get a bonus tip you might not have thought of.
💡 Did you know
Unamari owns, designs, and develops the riding boots from Equipage. This means we can focus on every single detail, ensuring you always get riding boots that combine high quality with maximum comfort and an elegant look.
1. Regular cleaning of your riding boots
The most important aspect of boot care is cleaning. No matter what material your riding boots are made of, they will suffer damage over time if not regularly cleaned of dirt, grime, and sweat. While it might be tempting to hose them off or soak dirty boots in water, we recommend avoiding excessive use of water. Instead, follow this method:
Whether your boots are made of leather, vegan leather, rubber, or winter materials like nubuck or nylon, you should ideally wipe them down with a damp cloth after every ride - such as a cotton or microfiber cloth. This not only helps preserve the boots, as dirt and sweat can break down materials unnecessarily over time, but also helps protect your horse. Dirty boots pressed against the horse’s sides during riding can irritate and damage the coat and skin in the leg area.
For a deeper clean of your leather or vegan leather boots, you can use a dedicated cleaning product. Apply the product and gently work it into the material, making sure to cover the entire boot, including along the seams. Let the product sit for a moment, then wipe off the boots with a clean, dry cloth - like a dish towel.
⭐ We recommend
For effective and gentle care of your riding boots, we recommend Bense & Eicke Leather Cleaner for deep cleaning and Bense & Eicke Leather Conditioner to refresh and protect the leather. For cleaning soles and other materials, Bense & Eicke Multicleaner is a versatile and effective choice.
2. Caring for leather riding boots
Leather requires regular care. After cleaning, it’s a good idea to apply a conditioning product. This helps restore moisture to the leather, preventing it from drying out and cracking.
Apply a small amount of the conditioner to a soft cloth and rub it gently into the leather. Wait for the product to absorb, then finish by polishing the boots with a clean, lint-free cloth.
You can choose either a neutral product or a tinted one that matches the color of your boots. A clear conditioner is ideal for new boots, while a tinted one can help bring older boots back to life.
Make sure to check whether the product is recommended for use on footwear. Many leather care products designed for saddles or bridles have softening properties that are not suitable for the types of leather used in Equipage riding boots.
We recommend Bense & Eicke Shoe Cream in clear or black, or Leovet Leather Care Intensive.
3. Waterproofing riding boots made from different materials
Weather can have a significant impact on your riding boots. As a rider, you can’t avoid rain, snow, and mud—but these elements can damage the materials over time. To protect your boots against the elements, it’s a good idea to apply a waterproofing spray.
Spray an even layer over the entire boot and allow it to dry completely before wearing the boots again.
4. Do your riding boots have a zipper?
If your riding boots have zippers, don’t forget to take care of them too. Brush away dirt and sand with a soft brush, and keep them well-lubricated by regularly using a zipper spray.
We recommend Pharmaka Hypofekt Zipper Spray.
5. Storing your riding boots
Your riding boots are best stored in a warm place, such as the tack room, away from sunlight and direct heat sources. Sunlight can cause fading over time, and direct heat can dry out the materials. If your boots are damp on the outside or inside, make sure they dry completely before your next ride to prevent mold from developing.
To keep the shafts of your riding boots from collapsing, we recommend using Equipage boot shapers or, alternatively, hanging the boots with Equipage boot hangers. It’s also a good idea to invest in an Equipage boot jack, which makes it easy to take your boots off.
Taking your boots on the go? We offer the full range of boot bags from both Equipage and Catago.
Bonus Tip!
When was the last time you inspected, cleaned, and maintained your stirrup leathers? Doing so regularly is not only important for safety, but also for preserving your riding boots. Dry and neglected stirrup leathers can develop sharp edges that wear down the inside of your boots unnecessarily.