Product Care

Mud and dirt can dry out the leather on your footwear, causing them to age prematurely. Rinse, brush or wipe off all dirt and mud after your adventures.

Thoroughly clean your footwear a few times a season to extend their life. After removing the visible mud, we recommend Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel. It cleans the breathable surface, and prepares boots for any waterproofing treatment. 

When cleaning, avoid solvents, petroleum, and detergents. Whatever you do, do not put your shoes in a clothes washer or dryer! This will send your footwear to an early grave and adversely affect fit.

All Oboz footwear has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish on the outside leathers and textiles, which can benefit from occasional retreating. If the surface of your shoes is absorbing water, it’s time to re-waterproof. Even styles with a B-DRY membrane will benefit from a re-application of DWR. Reviving breathability will reduce sweaty, clammy feet; and eliminate the “false leaking” sensation when excess perspiration can be confused with water coming in from the outside environment. 

Oboz highly recommends Nikwax for waterproofing. Although Sno-Seal and Mink Oil work perfectly for
Norwegian welted boots, they can cause the cemented midsoles on your Oboz to dis-bond. Please note that any treatment can darken or discolor the leather.

The Nikwax water-based formula is safe to use and is free of PFC’s, Phosphates, or Hydrocarbons. 

For nubuck or suede textured leather footwear, use Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof. 

For fabric, or fabric and leather combination footwear, use Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof. 

Clean and treat your footwear at least once a season if worn weekly. If worn daily, or in particularly harsh environments treat more frequently.

Excessive heat is one of the most damaging elements for your footwear. It can dis-bond the midsole and outsole, warp internal toe & heel counters, shrink materials, and dry out leather. It's tempting to set boots by the fire or bust out a hair dryer when the priority is dry boots for the next day; just know that doing so adversely affects longevity and fit. 

Dry your footwear at room temperature (60-70°F) away from direct sunlight and heat sources (heat registers, campfires, etc.). Stuffing your boots with newspaper can draw out a significant amount of moisture without nasty side-effects. Remember to pull out the O Fit Insoles™ after a day of hiking or running (even in dry climates). It will help your Oboz dry faster and will cut down on odor. 

Finally, don't forget your Oboz in the back of the car this summer—cars heat up under the summer sun and can warp shoes.

When storing your Oboz for the off-season, there are a couple of things
to keep in mind. Be sure to clean and dry your Oboz before storing them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. This will help extend the life of your footwear and ensure they’re in good shape for the start of next season. If you have a style with leather, we suggest conditioning them with NikWax for NuBuck Leather to keep the leather from drying out.