When we buy a pair of riding boots, we must be aware that if we want them to look as good as new after using them, we must give them special care. In this blog we will give you some tips so that you can get perfect boots for longer.

Once we have chosen our riding boots, we must ensure that they adapt to our feet, to obtain the comfort that the practice of the sport requires and that is expected from good leather boots such as those of our brand.

When we buy a pair of riding boots, we must be aware that if we want them to look as good as new after using them, we must give them special care. In this blog we will give you some tips so that you can get perfect boots for longer.

• To adapt them:

Once we have chosen our riding boots, we must ensure that they adapt to our feet, to obtain the comfort that the practice of the sport requires and that is expected from good leather boots such as those of our brand.

A narrow shaft and very stiff leather are the two characteristics that make us suffer and show that our boots are still little used.

To widen the shaft we can wet it, placing it in a basin of water until it is completely covered, this will make the leather give way, the second step is to use a widening tree, these can be found in shoemakers or in centers selling horse riding products, what we achieve with the tree is that it does not widen by deforming, but rather maintains all the properties of a Valverde boot.

Leather that is too stiff can make it very difficult for us to move and therefore make us lose time enjoying our activity. To soften it, we can also opt for water, but in this case, it is interesting to walk with wet boots, so that they wrinkle around the ankle, a clear sign that the leather is molded.

 The stiffness of the leather from which they are made will determine whether they are easier or harder to shape, but this is also subject to the structure of the boot. An example of this is English boots, which do not have zippers and have a stiff shaft, however, the ankle part is much softer to facilitate movement, whether walking or riding. On the other hand, zippered boots are made of a much less rigid material, and are generally more comfortable.

We should also mention some cream or spray products that can reduce stiffness, although they must be used with care as they can stain the boot. 

The other way to avoid these problems is to use custom-made boots, since if they are well made they will adapt perfectly to your foot, thanks to the multiple measurements previously taken of your foot, ankle, circumference...

• After the mount:

If you want your boots to last in perfect condition, it is essential that you give them the attention they require right after riding, since, if you do not do so immediately, it will be almost impossible to clean them completely.

Once the activity is over, we must check if the boots are damp from the horse's sweat, which often happens. If so, we must remove the sweat and dirt as soon as possible. Sweat is acidic, and therefore a great enemy of the leather of our boots. The correct thing to do is to sponge it with water to neutralize its effect.

Once they are wet, you don't have to worry about drying them quickly, since water does not damage this footwear. The best way to dry them is by leaving them in a shady place and away from direct heat sources. The sun, stoves or hairdryers can cause the leather to crack and the boot to become deformed, so we do not recommend using them.

• To make them shine:

Shiny boots are very important for anyone who cares about their appearance and appreciates elegance, but in the equestrian world in particular, shiny boots are a great asset for a rider.

The difficulty is in achieving that shine, which is already a costly task.

 Depending on the material they are made of, they will need to be greased or not. If we want them to shine more, we can use a low viscosity oil with a low acidity index, such as baby oil, and then, if they are made, we can use horse fat or something similar.

The second step is to thoroughly clean off any excess product and when the leather is completely dry, apply a colourless shoe polish to give it shine without risk of staining the frame.

We hope that these tips have been helpful to you and that you can enjoy your Valverde Riding Boots.