The best way to maintain your Jim Greens is regular and proper polishing. Water, heat and wear strip the natural oil from the leather. When the tiny fibers dry out, they become hard, brittle and break easily, shortening the lifespan of the leather.
For our leather boots we recommend any natural shoe polish found at your local store. For our suede options we recommend light brushing to remove dirt and a silicone spray for longer protection.
If you need your boots the next morning after a long day in a wet environment, the worst solution is to dry them artificially. Leather fibers burn easily – especially when wet and therefore should never be left near a heater, placed in your oven or left in direct sunlight. For the best results, footwear should be dried out slowly and never subjected to any extreme heat. If you work in constantly wet conditions, it is best to alternate wearing two or more pairs of our Jim Green boots.
Shoe care
Step 1) First, remove loose dirt with a dry brush.
Step 2) Use an old toothbrush that is less abrasive to clean the hard-to-reach areas and the seams.
Step 3) Apply saddle soap to the upper with a little water and a brush and wash out impurities. Do not soak the boot and it is best to work in a circular motion. After applying to the entire boot, wipe it off with a damp cloth or a little water.
Step 4) Now that the boot is clean, it's time to condition the leather. Since there are many products on the market, it is best to use a trusted product from your store. Depending on the appearance and intended use of your boots, each product offers different benefits for use. We recommend a natural beeswax or leather balm. For our suede or crazy horse leather options, use a suede cleaner.
For our Crazy Horse Leather options, repeat steps 1 through 3 and then choose one of the following two options:
Option 1: If you prefer a lighter look and want the oils to develop naturally, we recommend using a suede cleaner.
Option 2: If you prefer a darker look, apply a beeswax or leather balm. At first the leather will be very dark, but after about 3 days it will gradually lighten as the polish penetrates. This option makes the boots slightly more waterproof, even if the boots are not 100% waterproof.
Shoe care tips
With regular cleaning, care and rest, you can get much longer use out of your pair of Jim Green boots.
It's best to alternate between two or three pairs of boots to allow them to dry out.
Use cedar wood shoe trees
If your boots are soaked, we recommend lining them with newspaper and letting them dry in a cool, airy place. Exposing your boots to the sun or direct heat will cause the leather to crack and harden, which is uncomfortable.
If your boots are not used often, you should "flex" them regularly. If not by carrying, then by hand. This means the glue stays nice and flexible and the sole doesn't crack or come off.
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