Care tips

The hike is successfully completed, you sit together tired and happy and the mountain boots stand unnoticed in the corner. But they deserve a bit of attention after the tour.

There are numerous myths surrounding the correct and necessary care of hiking boots. We have summarised here what is really important and what are widespread misconceptions.

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR LOWA SHOES PROPERLY

Good care will keep your shoes comfortable and water-repellent for a long time! The following tips apply to all LOWA models made from smooth, nubuck and suede leather. To ensure that the leather stays that way and you can enjoy your high-quality shoes for a long time, you should look after them regularly. Newly purchased shoes do not require any additional care before the first tour, but it makes sense to refresh the leather impregnation.

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1.Preparation
If your shoes have become wet and dirty, dry them in a well-ventilated room, but away from heat sources. The leather could dry out or crack. Remove the laces so that the care products can also reach the hidden areas of your shoe. Remove the insole too, this is particularly important after several days of touring: a lot of moisture collects in the insole.

2.Basic cleaning
Brush your shoes thoroughly to make the leather air-permeable and breathable again. Then clean it with warm water and a brush. If the shoes are very dirty, we recommend using lukewarm soapy water or a shoe cleaning agent (e.g. LOWA Shoe Clean). The cleaning agent opens the pores of the leather and should be rinsed out well with water. The leather is now in an unprotected state: the water is immediately absorbed by the leather. You should therefore waterproof the shoe after it has dried.
Take care when drying: Leave the shoes to dry in a well-ventilated room. Under no circumstances should they be left in the sun, in the bathroom, by the radiator, near the oven or in a hot car! The wet leather can "burn", causing irreparable cracks. Your shoes can develop mould in damp rooms.

3.Waterproofing
The shoes should be slightly damp when you spray them with the waterproofing spray (e.g. LOWA Water Stop PRO). The wide-open pores allow the waterproofing to penetrate deep into the material. It takes full effect after 24 hours. Your shoes are now water and dirt repellent again. The effect wears off after approx. three weeks. Regular re-impregnation prevents the absorption of water and dirt. The breathability of the leather is also maintained: The leather does not soak up water afterwards and is water-repellent. Your shoe is then protected all over again. You should re-waterproof your shoes before your next tour.

4.Care
If you use your shoes often and they are frequently exposed to moisture, you should treat them with care products. Rub in a wax cream (e.g. LOWA Active Cream) or wax emulsion with a soft brush (e.g. LOWA care brush) to keep the shoes resistant. This is also essential for shoes with a GORE-TEX membrane. Leather that is not cared for dries out, becomes brittle and tears. The shoe is then irreparably damaged. Give your shoes enough time to dry out. You should waterproof your shoes again before a tour. Do not use pure oils or greases; although they make the leather very soft and almost waterproof, the leather pores are closed and the shoes lose their stability and breathability. Adhesions can also come loose.
A special feature of nubuck and suede leathers: The surface of these leathers becomes smoother, shinier and also darker when the wax is applied. The surface of suede leather can be brushed with a suede brush (e.g. LOWA triangular brush), but the original look will be lost somewhat. This process is not necessary or not possible with smooth and nubuck leather.

5.Storage
Store your shoes in a shoe bag or box in a dry, airy place. To maintain the shape of the shoe, it is advisable to use a wooden shoe tree. It maintains the shape of the shoe and prevents a crease from forming. Alternatively, you can also stuff crumpled newspaper into the toe area. The paper absorbs the moisture and also maintains the shape. Change the paper every day until the shoes are dry.

CARE FOR THE INNER LINING PROPERLY!

If you sweat a lot, the leather lining should be rubbed with a leather milk or wax emulsion from time to time, as the often very aggressive foot perspiration, with the salts it contains, dries out the lining and makes it brittle and hard. The GORE-TEX inner lining does not require any special care, but can be cleaned occasionally with lukewarm water and a light soap solution. However, incorrect or inadequate leather care renders the membrane ineffective. It is therefore not sufficient to simply spray intensively used GORE-TEX shoes with a waterproofing or care spray!

GORE-TEX SHOES ALSO NEED CARE

A big myth is that GORE-TEX shoes do not need to be cared for. The waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX lining is located inside the shoe and therefore has nothing directly to do with the external care of the leather or synthetic materials. A GORE-TEX shoe also needs to be regularly cleaned, cared for and waterproofed in accordance with its upper materials. The GORE-TEX lining will also appreciate a wash with a little shoe cleaner and a soft brush from time to time.

MYTH: "ALL MOUNTAIN AND HIKING BOOTS CAN BE RESOLED."

All taped shoes in the TREKKING and MOUNTAINEERING categories can be resoled at LOWA. Whether this makes sense depends on the condition of the shoes. Age does not play a role. Even very old shoes can be fitted with a new sole and a fresh anti-scree rim.

However, the leisure and lightweight hiking boots in the ALL TERRAIN CLASSIC and ALL TERRAIN SPORT categories cannot be completely resoled due to their design. The soles of these models are injection-moulded using a special process and cannot be replaced. However, it is possible to replace the heel. If necessary, the LOWA service team will be happy to advise you.

MYTH: "A SHOE LASTS FOREVER WITH THE RIGHT CARE."

LOWA shoes are designed for durability and many things can be repaired and replaced. Nevertheless, some materials have a limited lifespan, such as the cushioning wedge of the sole. This plastic material ages over time and eventually becomes porous. This is a natural wear process. For this reason, LOWA offers a complete resole for its TREKKING and MOUNTAINEERING shoes, in which both the cushioning wedge and the outsole exposed to wear are completely replaced. But even this all-round renewal does not invalidate one realisation: nothing lasts forever.

MYTH: "YOU CAN DO ALMOST ANYTHING WITH A GOOD MOUNTAINEERING BOOT."

Whether it's a hike or a stroll through the city, a good and stable outdoor shoe can cover many areas of use. Nevertheless, every shoe category at LOWA has a certain limit and the corresponding models are not designed for every adventure. Safety comes first here. For example, multifunctional shoes in the ALL TERRAIN CLASSIC or ALL TERRAIN SPORT categories may be very light, but they are not suitable for use on scree or for hiking tours in rough terrain. For optimum protection and sufficient stability, you should opt for a trekking shoe. Every area of use therefore has a shoe that suits it.

MYTH: "THE SHOE SIZE IS ALWAYS THE SAME FOR ONE MANUFACTURER."

Even if the length of the shoes of one size at LOWA remains approximately the same, the sizes in the shoe sector are not standardised. This means that there can always be small differences in size between the different categories and shoe manufacturers. The shape of the shoe also plays an important role in the perception of size. A rather narrow shape makes a shoe look smaller, a wide shape rather larger. In addition, the foot naturally changes over the course of a person's life. They become wider and longer with age. This is why LOWA recommends that you always try on shoes in stores before buying and check the size you have chosen. When trying on shoes in a specialist shop, it is best to take out the insole and stand on it. This allows you to see very quickly whether your foot has enough room. The size chart on the website provides a small guide.

"It's best to try the shoes on in the shop in the afternoon, as your feet swell a little during the day."

- Arthur | LOWA Head of Service Department

MYTH: "LEATHER SHOES NEED TO BE GREASED REGULARLY."

Leather greases and oils are clearly not the best choice for caring for a modern leather shoe. It is important that leather shoes are generally cared for regularly to keep them supple and ready for use for a long time. However, there are differences in the choice of care products. The leather greases and oils that are often used are generally unsuitable as they soften the leather over time and may even seal it completely so that the shoe can no longer breathe. It is also possible for the adhesions on the shoe to become detached. It is better to use special leather wax and waterproofing spray. Specialised leather care products for outdoor shoes, such as LOWA Active Cream or LOWA Water Stop PRO, are available from specialist retailers.

"Don't forget textile materials! The textile materials on your shoe should also be impregnated regularly to improve the material's resistance to absorbing water and dirt."

- Arthur | LOWA Head of Service Department

MYTH: "HIKING BOOTS ARE ALWAYS WATERPROOF."

The misconception that every outdoor shoe is automatically waterproof is unfortunately widespread. However, the various models differ greatly in terms of their construction and materials. A shoe with a leather lining, for example, really comes into its own in warm and dry conditions. The leather lining can absorb a lot of moisture (sweat), cools easily and adapts perfectly to the foot. These shoes can withstand damp conditions for a certain period of time. However, this lining is not waterproof and also needs a certain amount of time to dry. Shoes with a GORE-TEX lining, on the other hand, are waterproof and therefore ideally suited for use in wet conditions - especially over a longer period of time. Which shoe is right for whom depends on the area of use and personal preferences.

DO NOT WASH IN THE WASHING MACHINE!

You should never wash leather or synthetic shoes in the washing machine. The mechanical impact during the washing process in combination with an increased washing temperature can lead to the colour pigments being washed out, damage to upper materials and the dissolution of adhesions. Your shoes may be irreparably damaged.

AVOID CONTACT WITH ACID, PETROL AND LIQUID MANURE!

Acid, petrol or liquid manure attack the sole material and the adhesives. A decomposition process begins which can damage your LOWA shoes. Try to avoid contact with these substances and clean your shoes very thoroughly if they do come into contact with them.