When hiking, footwear is arguably the most important piece of equipment. Unfortunately, we often neglect it, even though it's actually quite undemanding. Regular care can extend its lifespan and maintain its comfort. If the shoe is heavily soiled, remove the insole and shoelaces, then thoroughly clean the shoe inside and out under running water with a very little soap and a brush. Stuff with newspaper and let dry at room...
When hiking, footwear is arguably the most important piece of equipment. Unfortunately, we often neglect it, even though it's actually quite undemanding. Regular care can extend its lifespan and maintain its comfort.
- If the shoe is heavily soiled, remove the insole and shoelaces, then thoroughly clean the shoe inside and out under running water with a very little soap and a brush.
- Stuff with newspaper and let dry at room temperature.
- Apply an environmentally friendly waterproofing spray while the shoe is still slightly damp.
- Wax dry leather shoes – ideally by hand. Avoid waxing the rand and sole. Waxing, especially on suede, alters the appearance, making the leather smoother and darker. If you don't want this effect, avoid waxing suede. Full-leather shoes should also be cared for on the inside, for example with leather cream or even regular Nivea cream. This keeps the shoe soft and supple.
Sharp as a knife
Tip: Did you know that wet, tall grass is the worst enemy of hiking boots? The sharp grasses are very damaging to the leather and waterproofing. So be sure to take care of your boots, especially after crossing a wet meadow with "boot-high" grass!
The inner values
It's not just hiking boots that develop a characteristic odor with frequent wear – ski boots and climbing shoes are also prone to this. Our tip: instead of masking the smell with a spray, the team at 2nd Peak swears by "cream cheese." This is microbial powder that breaks down the odor-causing bacteria in sweat. Sprinkle a small amount on your shoes before and/or after wearing them – that's it.
resoling
If you take good care of your shoes, you can hike in them for years and at most only need to replace the soles. Most good shoemakers do this for around 120–150 Swiss francs. Generally, you can also have your shoes resoled at a specialist retailer or directly by the shoe brand.
Resoling makes particular sense for so-called welted or double-stitched shoes, because these are generally more expensive, more elaborately manufactured, and more durable. In welted shoes, the upper is attached to the underside of the insole. This can sometimes be seen when removing the insole.
Double-stitched shoes can be recognized by the double seam that runs around the outside of the shoe.
SAC Bern members receive a 10% discount on purchases and a 1/3 discount instead of 1/4 on sales from 2nd Peak upon presentation of their membership card. The discount is paid out immediately upon purchase.
