Alternate boot-wearing days to let boots properly dry out.
Ideally, store with tissue, newspaper, or a cedar shoe tree that does not stretch the leather.
All of these methods help to absorb moisture.
Clean
Brush dirt off after every wear with a horsehair brush; use a damp cloth if necessary.
Condition
Remove dirt and dust with a horsehair brush or damp cloth.
While boots are still damp, lightly apply conditioner over the entire boot, ideally with fingers, but you can use a brush or cloth.
Let conditioner dry and then buff with a horsehair brush.
For conditioner, we suggest our Leather Care Kit or the Bickmore’s Bick 4 conditioner, or Bickmore Exotic conditioner for ostrich and reptilian hides.
Polish
Polishing will leave the boots with a glossy finish. We suggest avoiding colored polishes since they can alter the color of your boots.
After your boots have dried, apply a small amount of wax-based polish to all the areas you wish to shine.
Let the polish dry and then brush off the boot with a soft cloth.
Buff with a horsehair brush to the desired level of shine.
For polish, we suggest the included polish in our Leather Care Kit. Lincoln wax polish (neutral) and Allen Edmonds spray shine are also great options.
Resole
It is normal to need a resole anywhere between six months to a few years depending on how often you wear your boots, and your size and gait. If you feel soft spots or see holes in the sole, we recommend heading to your local cobbler to see if a resole is necessary. This typically runs anywhere from $50 to $100 depending on the cobbler.
Tecovas Boot Restoration
You can also send your boots in for a Boot Restoration. We’ll give your boots a full resole with original Tecovas parts and give them a full detailing. They’ll arrive back to you in about four weeks with brand new soles, while still having that supple, broken-in feel.