To care for leather combat boots, brush off loose mud with a soft brush, clean the leather with lukewarm water, and let the boots dry naturally away from radiators, fires and direct heat. Once dry, work leather boot wax into the uppers, paying extra attention to flex points and seams. Store them somewhere dry and ventilated, never sealed wet in a bag.
- Never force-dry boots on a radiator or by a fire; heat cracks and shrinks leather.
- Wax smooth leather regularly, focusing on the creases and stitched seams where water gets in first.
- Suede boots need a suede brush and a suede proofer, not wax.
- Gore-Tex lined boots still need their outer leather proofed, using products that do not clog its breathability.
- Store boots dry and ventilated, never sealed wet in a bag.
How do you clean leather combat boots?
Start by removing the laces so you can reach the tongue and the eyelet area, where grit collects. Knock the soles together outdoors to shift caked mud, then use a soft brush to remove loose dirt from the uppers, welt and tread. Avoid wire brushes on smooth leather, as they scratch the surface.
Next, wipe the leather with a cloth or sponge dampened in lukewarm water. Work in small sections and rinse the cloth often. Hot water and household detergents strip the natural oils from leather, so stick to plain lukewarm water. Pay attention to the seam where the upper meets the sole, since trapped mud there holds moisture against the stitching.
How should you dry wet boots?
Dry them slowly and naturally at room temperature. Take the laces out, open the boots up and, if the insoles are removable, take them out to dry separately. Stuffing the boots loosely with newspaper helps draw moisture out of the lining; replace it when it becomes damp.
Keep boots away from radiators, fires, heaters and direct sunlight. Fast drying pulls moisture out of the leather unevenly, which leads to stiffness, cracking and shrinkage, and can weaken the bond between the upper and the sole. Patience here adds years to a pair of boots.
How do you polish and wax leather combat boots?
Apply wax only to clean, dry leather. Using a cloth or applicator brush, work a thin layer of leather boot wax into the uppers with small circular movements. Give extra attention to the flex points across the toes and ankle, and to all stitched seams, because these are the areas that crease, open up and let water in first.
Leave the wax to soak in for a while, then buff with a clean brush or cloth. For a deeper finish, add a second thin coat rather than one heavy one. Our brown boot polish suits the brown issue boots most people buy today, and black boot polish is there for black leather boots. You will find brushes, polish and other care kit in the boot accessories collection.
How do you waterproof leather combat boots?
For smooth leather boots without a membrane, regular waxing is the waterproofing. A leather upper that is kept waxed sheds water and resists showers, wet grass and puddles far better than dry, neglected leather. The Altberg Defender, for example, is not sold as a membrane-lined waterproof boot, but its full-grain leather is weather resistant when waxed.
How often you wax depends on use. As a rule, re-wax when the leather starts to look pale or dry, when water stops beading on the surface, or after the boots have had a thorough soaking and dried out.
Do Gore-Tex boots need waxing?
Yes, but choose products carefully. A Gore-Tex lining keeps water out, but the outer leather can still absorb water. Waterlogged leather is heavy, slow to dry and stops the lining breathing properly, so your feet end up damp from sweat. Keep the outer leather clean and proofed with products that do not clog its breathability, and avoid heavy greases that seal the surface. This applies to boots in our Gore-Tex combat boots collection, such as the Iturri Cold Wet Weather boot and Haix GORE-TEX models.
How do you care for suede desert boots?
Suede is treated differently from smooth leather. Do not use wax or polish, which flatten the nap and leave dark patches. Let mud dry, then remove it with a suede brush, brushing in one direction to lift the texture. Once clean and dry, apply a suede proofer to help repel water and stains. This is the right approach for boots from our desert boots collection, including the Iturri and Haix suede desert boots.
How should you store combat boots?
Store boots clean and fully dry, somewhere dry and ventilated. A shelf or boot rack is ideal. Never seal boots in a plastic bag while they are still damp, as trapped moisture leads to mould and rotted stitching. If boots will be stored for a long time, give them a light coat of wax first and check them occasionally. Loosening the laces helps the leather keep its shape.
What about laces and small repairs?
Laces wear out long before a good pair of boots. Replace frayed laces before they snap on a walk; our 150cm boot laces are an easy replacement. Grade 2 surplus boots may already have replacement laces or minor professional repairs, which is normal for serviceable used boots. For worn soles or split stitching, a cobbler can often resole military boots, which extends their life considerably.
Does surplus boot care differ from new boot care?
The method is the same. With second-hand boots, it is worth giving them a thorough clean and a fresh coat of wax before first wear, so the leather is fed and protected from the start. Every pair in our combat boots collection is graded by hand; the surplus grades guide explains what each grade means for condition.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wax leather combat boots?
Wax when the leather looks pale or dry, when water no longer beads on the surface, or after the boots have been soaked and dried. For boots worn regularly outdoors, that often means every few weeks; for occasional wear, less often. Always wax clean, dry leather.
Can I dry combat boots on a radiator?
No. Radiators, fires and other direct heat dry leather too quickly, causing stiffness, cracking and shrinkage, and can weaken the sole bond. Remove the laces and insoles, stuff the boots loosely with newspaper and let them dry naturally at room temperature.
Is boot polish the same as boot wax?
They overlap. Polish mainly gives colour and shine, while wax builds a protective, water-resistant layer. Many boot polishes contain wax and do both. For combat boots used outdoors, focus on building up protection at the flex points and seams rather than a high shine.
Should I wax suede desert boots?
No. Wax and polish flatten the nap of suede and leave dark patches. Clean suede desert boots with a suede brush once the mud has dried, then apply a suede proofer to help repel water and stains.
Does waxing stop Gore-Tex boots breathing?
Heavy, sealing products can reduce breathability, so choose proofing products that do not clog the leather. Keeping the outer leather proofed actually helps the Gore-Tex lining work, because waterlogged leather stops moisture escaping and leaves your feet damp.
How do I stop boots going mouldy in storage?
Make sure boots are clean and completely dry before storing them, then keep them somewhere dry and ventilated. Never seal them in a bag while damp. A light coat of wax before long-term storage and an occasional check will keep the leather in good condition.
Written by the Raid Supply team, who grade every item by hand in Buckinghamshire.