If you are lucky enough to own a pair of Orca Bay's country boots, hopefully, you've been able to enjoy being out and about in the countryside. When I'm not running the business or out walking the dog, I also help out on the family farm, so my Orkney's get a thorough wear test in all conditions.
It is important to look after any leather product to prolong its life so that you can get the best out of them. As a teenager, I spent hours cleaning and polishing saddles and other tack in exchange for horse riding.
After all the weather we've been having, I thought it might be useful to offer some guidance on boot care...so here goes:
There is no fixed timeline for doing this. Use your judgement based on how much you are wearing them and what sort of terrain.
If you start seeing light patches, it is an indicator that the leather is drying out...time to at least put some balsam on.
If you live by the coast (salt) or work with horses (uric acid) you will need to do this more often than most. I also recommend washing off the outside of your boots in between full treatment.
1) Get the mud off
Wash off as much mud and grit as you can. You can use water on the outside of these boots and a sponge or soft brush for the really stubborn bits.
2) Let them dry
Not near a radiator or Aga, just get the excess water off with an old towel and leave them indoors over night.
3) Right, we're ready to put some product on them.
We recommend Grangers G-wax for the smooth leathers and Grangers Leather Conditioner for the nubuck, matt part of the boots.
3a) Use a clean sponge to wipe the g-wax on to the smooth leather section of your boots. Work it into the leather and wipe off any excess. You may want to add a second coat to any particularly hard worn areas, like the toes and anywhere that the boot "hinges". The goal is to keep the leather supple, which in turn will guard the waterproof lining below.
3b) Cover the nubuck areas of the boots with the leather conditioner in the same way. If you have time, leave the boots to absorb the products before buffing.
That's it! ...now put them on and off you go again.
Have fun!
