Blue Ox Boot Care & Maintenance

Clean & Condition

Wipe them down: Remove laces and insoles. Wipe off mud or use a damp cloth and saddle soap for grease and tar.
Air dry only: Never use space heaters or direct sunlight. Heat destroys the leather's natural moisture and warps internal liners.
Condition regularly: Massage a leather conditioner into dry boots every 2-4 weeks. Apply extra to flex points and creases to prevent cracking.
Clean the interior: Wash the inside of your boots. Use an interior shoe cleaner to wipe down the inside, killing odor-causing bacteria and protecting the waterproof lining.

Protect the Hands-Free Tech

Step straight down: Set your laces once, then step straight in. No stomping or wiggling needed.
Don't crush the heel: Avoid folding or forcing the heel forward or sideways when the boot is empty.
Store uncompressed: Never store your boots crushed under heavy gear or in hot trucks. Heat and pressure may warp the step-in mechanics.

When to Retire Them

Deep cracks: The leather splits entirely through the hide.
Bald outsoles: Extreme wear compromises your traction on the job site.
After a heavy hit: If the safety toe takes a major impact, the boot should be replaced. The toe did its job, but unseen structural damage means it cannot safely take a second hit.

Detailed Care Instructions:

How to Clean Your New Hands-free Work Boots-

Your boots are designed to last, but you can make them go a little bit further with these few care instructions.

Get the dirt off. Start by removing as much dirt and grime as you can. It helps to take the laces and the insoles out first. Knock dirt off with a brush or wipe with a damp cloth to clear off the leather. If there is oil, grease, or tar, dampen a cloth with a mild detergent or saddle soap, work it in small circles, and wipe away the residue with a clean, damp cloth.

Dry - After cleaning, let your boots air dry. Do not use pace heaters or direct sunlight. Trying to speed up drying by setting them in direct sunlight, using a space heater or any other high heat sources negatively affects the natural moisture of the leather and can lead to premature cracks, or warp the internal liners.

Condition the Leather - Once fully dry, massage an even coat of leather conditioner into the boots. Start lightly at first, applying an even coat over the whole boot, then adding more as your boots continue to age. Pay attention to the creases, flex points, and joints as these areas take the most mechanical strain. Simply add more conditioner to these areas to keep the leather from cracking.

Cadence - Wash and condition the outside of your boots every two weeks to a month or depending on how much you use them. Not as frequently, but still very important, take the time to wash the inside of your boots. Pull your insoles out to dry. Every few weeks, use an interior shoe cleaner to wipe down the inside, killing odor-causing bacteria and protecting the waterproof lining.

How to keep them in great condition-

Blue Ox handsfree boots are designed to be stepped into without needing to tie and untie your laces. Once tied to your liking, simply step in by pressing your heel down straight into the boot. There is no need for wiggling or stomping to get in, just a straight step forward. To keep this system functional and allowing you to step in and be locked in, do not crush the heel in other directions like forward or sideways as it might be damaged without your foot in place. Do not store compressed, especially in hot environments as the handsfree system may be creased and prevented from opening the boot when your foot arrives.

When should you replace them-

With good maintenance and care, your boots will last for a long time. However, there will come a time when enough wear, mud, dust, and chemicals begin to take its toll. If the leather cracks or the reinforced outsole show too much wear, or if you have a protective toe and receive a large impact, it’s time to retire them and step into a fresh pair. Protective toes do a great job at keeping your feet safe but after large impacts there may be unseen damage that might prevent the boot from protecting you as well a second time. Please replace your boots after hits like this or if they become too worn to keep your feet safe.

Why You Need to Maintain Your Boots Your boots are your foundation. We engineered them to take a beating, but a few minutes of basic maintenance will drastically extend their lifespan, keep your feet dry, and ensure the hands-free tech performs exactly as designed. Take care of your boots, and they’ll take care of you.