September 9, 2001


Can old boots lose their shape?

Once a pair of leather boots is broken in, can they lose their break-in if you don't wear them on a regular basis?

— Unknown

Yes, they can. Two things will happen to a pair of boots left sitting in a closet for a few years. One, the leather will dry, causing them to feel stiff and uncomfortable. To prevent this, apply some leather conditioner before storing the boots, such as Nikwax Liquid Conditioner ($7.50). If the boots have leather linings —- less common these days —- apply a little to the inside as well. Apply some more when you first re-use the boots, and the leather should quickly come close to like-new suppleness.

More seriously, the boots will shrink a little fore-and-aft as the soles curl. To help prevent boot shrinkage, insert a boot shaper or boot tree. Several models are available -— a company called Rochester makes a lovely cedar one that sells for about $50 a pair. See it at Shoecrafters.com.

Before storing boots, it's also a good idea to clean them. Rinse the boot out with cool or lukewarm water to remove sweat salts that can damage the leather, then gently scrub the boot with a soft brush to remove grit. Dry thoroughly at room temp, then add the leather conditioner, stuff in the boot shaper, pat them gently, and tuck 'em into a closet. They'll at least know they're loved, if ignored.