If you don't take care of your leather boots, they'll fall apart long before their time has come, yet they're gorgeous, expensive, and built to last. If you don't, though, they'll fall apart far before their time. But if you take care of them, they'll stick around until death does the two of you apart. It's all about taking good care of things. You can put up a good one on your own, but some companies, like Otter Wax and Red Wing, provide complete kits that include the majority of the items you will need for the journey ahead. However, it is possible to put together a good one on your own. The good news is that taking care of your boots does not require a significant investment of money. The process just requires four simple steps, which are outlined below.
- Keeping it clean
In order to complete the process, you are going to require a number of cotton clothes. My ready material is an old cotton T-shirt that has been split up into a few different squares. Always use a fresh piece of fabric for the next stage. First, take off the laces, and then use a cleaning brush such as this one which has bristles made of firm pig's hair, to clean off any excess dirt from the leather. After that, wipe the uppers down with a cloth that has been dampened with water. Additionally, the rubber toe guards and the outer rims of the soles should be wiped down. 
Utilize a leather cleaner on the shoe when it is still slightly damp so that you can eliminate any lingering dirt. The leather cleaner Leather Honey, which comes as a concentrate that must be diluted with water, is my preferred option. Work the cleaner into the leather by rubbing it quickly with a damp cloth until you start to feel a lather forming, and then start at one side of the boot and work your way around it. When cleaning the lace, pay particular attention to the tongue and the gaps that surround the grommets. This is where dirt tends to accumulate. After you have finished cleaning the entire boot, get a fresh wet cloth and wipe away the cleaner that you just applied. If you have never attempted to clean your boots before, you are going to be astounded by how nice they look once you finish this process.
- Conditioning
Wait until your boots are completely dry after the washing process before wearing them again (I just let them sit for a day). The majority of shoe conditioners will add a sheen to the shoe, and if you do this often, you'll be able to prolong the life of your boots and reduce the frequency with which you need to re-waterproof them. In addition, you do not have to wait until your boots have aged before conditioning them. A pair of brand-new boots has likely been stored away and allowed to dry out for several months, if not longer; therefore, applying a layer of conditioner to them as soon as possible may assist in reviving them. 
The conditioner produced by each manufacturer has a few distinguishing characteristics, but the method remains the same. Danner's Boot Dressing is a paste that may be used to help revitalize the look and feel of leather. It is simple to apply. Spread a small bit of the solution onto a clean cloth, and then rub it all over the shoe. A very small quantity can accomplish a great deal. Do not worry about rubbing it deeply into the leather because the leather will take in the conditioner over time; instead, focus on coating it uniformly and ensuring that you do not leave any parts uncovered. After you have covered the boot, allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight before removing the covering. After that, get a fresh piece of cloth and remove any lingering residue. Because the leather is taking in the conditioner, the shoes may appear somewhat darker than they were before you began. Don't get worked up, since this is very normal and will go away in due time.
- Waterproofing
However, if you are particularly hard on your hiking boots, or if you notice that water is no longer beading up on the surface, it is time to reapply some waterproofing agent. A conditioner can help extend the waterproofing of the leather, but it is still necessary. You have a few options to choose from, including a liquid-based wax, old-fashioned beeswax, or a silicone spray. My experience has shown that silicone spray is the easiest to use, however it does not last as long as other options. Beeswax does more than only prevent water from penetrating leather; it also conditions and preserves it. 
Because of this, I prefer to use a beeswax treatment on full-grain leather, but if your boots have a Gore-Tex liner, you should steer clear of beeswax because it can reduce the breathability of the material. Instead, owners of full-grain leather boots with Gore-Tex should choose a liquid-based wax to protect their footwear from moisture and abrasion. It may not last as long as beeswax, but it is less difficult to apply, and it absorbs moisture more quickly. Sno-Seal is a reliable waterproofing product made of beeswax that costs seven dollars and will last the full winter season. Place a small amount of the wax on a piece of cloth, and then work it into the leather in circular motions. When the weather is warm, it works much more effectively. When I want to warm up my boots without making them too hot, I either place them briefly under a heat lamp (as you don't want them to get too hot) or I place them near a sunny window. Wait for the wax to be absorbed by the boot after applying a very thin layer of it. This technique should be repeated two or three times, or until the leather is no longer capable of absorbing wax. The next step is to wipe away any excess with a clean rag. Check out the Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather liquid. 
It is a wax that is based on water. Beginning with leather that has been thoroughly cleaned and dampened, apply the wax using the built-in sponge applicator. This should be something that you only have to do once. Within a few minutes, it will soak, and you may use a cloth to remove any remaining residue that may be left behind.
- Buffing
It is important not to skip this step because it is what will ultimately give your freshly waxed and conditioned boots the shine they desire. Using a horsehair brush, such as the one sold by Danner for ten dollars, lightly strike the leather in short glancing motions while working your way around the leather until it begins to shine. Here Are 9 Suggestions That Will Help Your Leather Boots Last Much Longer: 1) Use anything to cover your boots from the elements, especially precipitation and liquids. The best protective spray to invest in is not simply a "waterproof" solution; rather, it functions as a repellant against any unforeseen winter weather or spills. Leather Spa Water & Stain Protector (which costs $14.95) works on leather, suede, and fabric boots by allowing a spill or liquid to sit on top of the material, allowing the stain to be wiped away before it bleeds into the shoe. Spraying your boots with the protection roughly once a week in the same manner that you would spray your hair with hairspray is the recommended maintenance procedure. 
2) Make sure that your leather is well cleaned. You need to moisturize your skin in order to protect it from the cold weather, and you also need to moisturize your leather boots on a regular basis in order to maintain their shine and ensure that the leather will endure for a longer period of time. Mesquita advises an affordable leather conditioner that may be purchased from Leather Spa. The conditioner costs less than ten dollars. 3) Make necessary repairs as soon as possible to stains caused by snow or salt. If you use a salt stain remover after being out in the snow or on salty streets, you can avoid the shoe damage that comes along with the "wintry mix" weather forecast and keep your shoes looking brand new. To get rid of stains, apply the remover as soon as possible after coming into touch with the substance, and then allow it to air dry for the night. 4) Apply a protective rubber sole for even more longevity in your footwear. According to Mesquita, the best thing you can do for your boots during the winter is to add a thin protective rubber sole to an already existing sole in order to extend the life of your soles. This will allow your soles to withstand the wear and tear that comes with winter weather. The cost of the service, which varies according to the shoe being repaired but normally falls within the range of $34 to $40 for shoes that are only lightly worn or are brand new, is offered by the vast majority of shoe repair shops. 5) Keep an eye on your heels. It is in your best interest to replace broken heels as soon as possible. 
Mesquita advises, "Keep an eye on the condition of your heels," adding, "The longer you wait to have them treated, the more money it is going to cost you." "Keep an eye on the condition of your heels." Instead of waiting until the heels are so worn down that you can no longer walk in shoes, monitor their condition on a regular basis and get them replaced as soon as they start to show signs of wear. This will result in a more cost-effective solution. 6) Using boot trees will help keep your boots in good condition. Using a boot shaper when storing your tall boots will ensure that they maintain their original form. Leather Spa provides a boot shaper that is adjustable and retails for $19.95. This boot shaper conforms to the length, width, and height of your shoe. 7) If you want to keep your suede boots in good care, you should make an investment in the necessary supplies. However, if it starts to rain or snow, your suede boots won't be able to manage it as well as your leather boots. A suede brush and an eraser made specifically for suede are two of the most important tools for maintaining suede. The suede eraser performs the same function as a pencil eraser in that it leaves behind small dustings when applied to the suede. Additionally, the suede eraser eliminates glossy spots on the suede that appear after the fabric has been worn or faded down. 
8) If your leather has scuffs or the color is deteriorating, use leather creams to treat these issues. Using a little brush and some leather cream, you may easily restore a scuff or a discoloration that has occurred on the leather. Leather Spa offers leather creams for a price of $5.95, and they come in over 25 various colors so that you may find one that matches your favorite pair of boots. Take your boots to a repair shop if the fading, tears, or scuffs on them are severe so that the professionals there can tackle the situation. "When a greater touch-up is needed, we have leather cream treatments that have higher pigmentation—they aren't sold to clients normally because of the strong fumes," 9) Clean the boots with a damp cloth after each time they have been worn. At the end of each day, use a dust bag to clean your boots and remove any dust or grime that may have gathered during the course of the day.