Caring for Fairfax & Favor Footwear: the complete care guide

Caring for Leather Fairfax and Favor Boots

Look after your Fairfax & Favor leather boots to extend their lifespan. It takes just a few regular care steps to keep them looking good as new. Natural leather, just like human skin, needs moisturising to maintain its supple appearance and prevent the leather from cracking.

Regular leather boot care

Follow these two easy care steps:

Step 1: Remove dirt

If you get mud, snow or salt water on your boots, rinse off with clean water using a hose and leave to dry naturally for at least 24 hours. Salt water, mud or snow can be corrosive to natural leather if left on your boots. Do not try to force mud or dirt off your boots, because this will encourage the leather to crack.

Step 2: Condition

Apply Fairfax & Favor Leather Cream regularly and at least once a month. The Leather Cream is designed specifically for smooth leathers. It conditions the leather to maintain its suppleness and longevity, ensures water-resistance and renews the shine to your boots. This is an important step even for waterproof Explorer Boots, preventing the leather from cracking.

How to use Leather Cream?

1. Choose the right colour of leather cream for your boots. Use neutral leather cream for all leather apart from black. To protect your Explorer Boots, we would recommend using the Neutral Leather Cream for both the Mahogany and Oak styles. For black leather boots, use the black leather cream to maintain the colour.
2. Apply cream sparingly all over your boots, using a soft bristle brush, cloth or old toothbrush to work it into the leather. Make sure to apply the leather cream onto the crease of the toe flex and the edges of the boot that adjoin the sole.
3. Buff to a shine with a clean cloth.

Are Fairfax & Favor leather boots waterproof?

While taking care of your boots, be aware that only the Fairfax & Favor Explorer Boot is waterproof. The Explorer Boot is an advanced, technical boot with a hard-wearing Vibram sole for excellent traction underfoot, and a Sympatex waterproof, breathable membrane. This style also includes a leather reinforcement layer inside the zip line of your boot, preventing water from seeping in and getting your legs wet. The leather Regina boots by Fairfax & Favor are not waterproof. Regular maintenance, including the use of Fairfax & Favor Leather Cream, will help to maintain the resilience of all Fairfax & Favor leather boots to withstand an outdoor lifestyle.

What to avoid?

• Avoid over-soaking your boots as this can encourage the leather to crack, even if you have the waterproof Explorers. Fairfax & Favor leather boots are ideal for a rainy dog walk, however we would not recommend submerging them in standing water for any length of time.
• Never dry your boots next to a fire, radiator, Aga or other heat sources. Dry naturally at an even room temperature.
• Do not use saddle soap on your boots. Over time, saddle soap, with its strong alkaline base, weakens the leather and gradually causes it to harden, darken and change in structure. This can make your boots lose their form.

Removing scuffs or scratches from leather boots:

Most scuffs can simply be buffed out using the body heat of your hands, plus leather cream if necessary:

Step 1: Use your hands

Use the warmth of your hands to rub out a scratch or scuffed area. Move your hand briskly and continuously. The heat and friction move the natural oils around, covering up the scratch. https://youtu.be/TIKdPdtgj0w

Step 2: Leather cream

If a scuff remains, apply a tiny amount of Fairfax & Favor leather cream using an old toothbrush, cloth or soft bristle brush. Work the cream into the leather, then buff out the mark with a clean, soft cloth. See ‘How to use Leather Cream’ for further guidance.

Caring for Suede Fairfax and Favor Boots and Shoes

Many of Fairfax & Favor’s popular footwear styles are made from suede. To look after your Regina Boots or suede loafers, for example, follow the care steps below:

Step 1: Protect

Treat suede using the Fairfax & Favor Suede and Nubuck Proofer spray before first wear and regularly, at least once a month. It gives your suede water-resistance, meaning water will run off the suede instead of soaking in, and also helps to repel oil stains.

How to use the Proofer?

• Start with a clean boot – brushing off dry dirt and debris with a soft bristle brush.
• Spray from about one foot (0.3 metres) away.
• Apply one single layer, spraying the entire boot or shoe on all sides. Do not spray repeatedly on the same area as this can oversaturate the suede.
• Leave to dry naturally before wear – about 30 minutes of drying time.

Step 2: Remove dry dirt

If you get any dirt on your suede boots, let it dry fully. Then brush off using a soft-bristle suede brush. Stubborn marks on suede can be removed with a leather stick or rubber suitable for suede.

What to avoid?

• As a general rule, avoid wearing suede footwear in bad weather conditions. Suede is not waterproof. Although the Suede and Nubuck Proofer spray provides some water-resistance, it will not make your footwear waterproof.
• Do not attempt to remove dirt while still wet. This will press the dirt further into the suede.
• Avoid brushing the soles of your boots after applying Fairfax & Favor Suede and Nubuck Proofer spray. The sole dye may transfer to lighter fabrics when wet.

Wearing your Fairfax & Favor boots well

Storing your Fairfax & Favor footwear

Always clean your Fairfax & Favor boots or shoes before storing away for some time and store in a damp-free place. For knee-high boots, ideally place the Fairfax & Favor Boot Trees inside your boots as soon as you take them off. This helps to maintain their original shape and eliminates creases. The Fairfax & Favor Boot Trees are lightweight and include a centre support bracket that expands to provide the ideal tension for your boots. Alternatively, if you are storing your boots in their original box, we recommend laying the tassels flat along the zip line to prevent them curving.