Now that the weather is starting to improve and various missions are scheduled for the Ministry of Defence, we are seeing more and more shoes leave our warehouse. Choosing the right shoe is a task, but maintaining your shoes is also important. That is why we have put together some practical tips for you.
First of all, there are two types of shoes in terms of maintenance:
- Leather shoes (such as Magnum, Haix, Crispi)*
- Suede shoes (such as Salomon, Lowa)*
*In general, but depending on the model.
LEATHER SHOE CARE
Removing dirt
First, make sure your shoes are clean. Brush your shoes clean. You can also use a little lukewarm water, depending on how dirty the shoes are. Are your shoes still wet? Let them dry, but never do this near a heat source such as a radiator, in direct sunlight, or in the bathroom. This dries out the shoe, causing cracks to form. Also remove the insoles from the shoes. They often retain a lot of moisture.
Treatment
To treat a leather shoe under ideal conditions, apply suitable shoe polish or wax to a dry shoe. Rub it into the material’s pores until you achieve an even, covering layer. To finish, brush the shoes before use.
Preservation
Do you wear the shoes often? Then consider regularly maintaining them with a care product such as LOWA Active Crème. This keeps the shoes robust and flexible. This is highly recommended for shoes with GTX (GORE-TEX) membranes. It is always a good idea to check whether the product you use is also suitable for GORE-TEX shoes.
SUEDE SHOE CARE
Removing dirt
First, make sure your shoes are clean. Brush your shoes clean. You can also use a little lukewarm water, depending on how dirty the shoes are. Are your shoes still wet? Let them dry, but never do this near a heat source such as a radiator, in direct sunlight, or in the bathroom. This dries out the shoe, causing cracks to form. Also remove the insoles from the shoes. They often retain a lot of moisture.
Treatment
Treating your shoes works best when they are still slightly damp. At this point, the material’s pores are still open, allowing the waterproofing spray to be absorbed properly. You can use LOWA Water Stop PRO spray, for example. The effect is fully activated after 24 hours, but decreases after 3 weeks. That is why regular shoe maintenance is recommended.
Preservation
Do you wear the shoes often? Then consider regularly maintaining them with a care product such as LOWA Active Creme. This keeps the shoes robust and flexible. This is highly recommended for shoes with a GTX (GORE-TEX) membrane. It is always a good idea to check whether the product you use is also suitable for GORE-TEX shoes. However, this treatment does change the appearance of your suede shoes because the wax creates a sheen. You can partially remedy this by brushing the shoes. This makes the surface slightly rougher again.