Caring for your tall boots

Your tall boots work hard — in the saddle, around the yard, through every kind of weather. A little regular care goes a long way toward keeping them comfortable, supple, and safely on your side for years of riding.

After every ride

Mud, sweat, and stable grime are the biggest threats to leather. Get into the habit of a quick wipe-down every time you take your boots off.

• Wipe away dirt and dust with a soft, damp cloth, paying extra attention to seams, welts, and the base of the zip
• If your boots are still damp, let them dry naturally at room temperature — never near a heater, radiator, or in direct sun. Fast drying is what causes leather to crack
• Brush off any dried mud once the boots are fully dry, using a soft brush

Weekly care (or when they need a deeper clean):

• Clean with a proper leather cleaner — household products, soap, and detergents will dry the leather out and damage it over time
• Condition with a good-quality leather conditioner, such as the Lumiere Beeswax Leather Balsam worked in gently with a soft cloth in small circular motions, from the bottom of the boot upward
• For extra shine ahead of a competition or event, follow with a leather polish in a matching colour, applied the same way
  
• Avoid oil-based conditioners on brown/tan leather, as oil will darken lighter leathers. (If in doubt spot test your condition on the inside of the spur guard.)

Looking after the zip:

The zip is the hardest-working part of any tall boot, and it's worth a little extra attention.

• Always make sure the zip is fully open before putting your boots on or taking them off — never force it partway
• Keep the zip free of dirt and grit with a soft brush; an old toothbrush works well for stubborn build-up
• If the zip ever feels stiff, a touch of zip lubricant (never oil or WD-40) will help it run smoothly again
• Never pull the boot on or off by the zip pull itself — use the boot pulls or tabs provided, so the strain goes into the leather and stitching, not the zip

Storage:

• Store your boots upright, using boot trees (or the inflatable trees provided) to help the shaft keep its shape and take pressure off the zip
• Keep them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight and heat sources
• A boot bag is a simple way to protect the leather from scuffs and dust between wears

A few things to avoid:

• Household cleaners, alcohol-based products, and oil-based conditioners, which can dry out or discolour the leather
• Leaving boots to dry next to heaters, fireplaces, or in direct sun
• Storing boots lying flat or piled on top of one another, which can permanently affect the shape of the shaft
• Forcing a stiff zip — one of the most common, and most avoidable, causes of damage in tall boots

Caring for Crystal boots:

If you own a pair of our Crystal boots, clean the crystal embellishments gently with a dry, soft cloth only. Avoid submerging or scrubbing the crystal area.

 

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A note on warranty: Your Lumiere tall boots are covered by our 12-month warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty is only valid where the care instructions above have been followed — in particular, damage caused by a forced zip, or leather that hasn't been cleaned or conditioned, isn't covered. Full warranty terms are available [here].