Dubarry Boots - How to look after them

The Art of caring for Dubarry Boots.

We all have them. At least one or two. Lurking in our wardrobes and on our shoe racks. You may even have a nickname for yours. I know a woman who calls hers ‘the national treasure.’ Not publicly of course. Publicly such things are acknowledged with a self-deprecating ‘this old thing!’ This garment might be a dress, or a coat, a sweater or a pair of shoes. A wearable item that is almost like an old friend; that has stood the test of time and even after years of service still attracts admiration. Such attention will be familiar to wearers of Dubarry boots; they are to country dwellers what Manolo Blanik was to the girls of Sex and the City. Dubarry boots and country life go together. They are the iconic boots for stomping through mud in the same way that Manolos are suited to trotting daintily through the streets of Upper Manhattan. Though it has to be said that Manolos are only really suited to trotting anywhere if you don’t feel pain and you are blessed with core strength and good balance. Unsurprisingly for such quality and reputation you can expect a sizeable outlay of hard earned cash - the cost of the Dubarrys significantly less than the Manolos, but still a purchase that warrants a little consideration. How long can you expect Dubarry boots to last? Are Dubarry boots really worth the price tag? Will Dubarry boots really stand the test of time and attain ‘national treasure’ status? There are forums all over the web debating these very questions. But if you lean in closer we’ll tell you our trade secrets and save you trawling the chat rooms of well-known equestrian magazines and mumsnet. OK, right. Listening?

The biggest impact on the lifespan of your boots is how you look after them

Dubarry boots are made using a special process that combines soft supple leather with a GORE-TEX lining, in addition the sole is directly moulded to the boot, with no glueing or stitching, giving a perfect seal to keep out the water. The result is a fully waterproof and breathable boot. But critically this is not a wellington boot. Waterproof, yes. Capable of keeping your feet warm and dry whilst you squelch through mud and splash over boggy ground, yes. Capable of withstanding this abuse over a prolonged period, day after day, yes. But only with a little aftercare.

How to: Cleaning Dubarry Boots & Regular Dubarry Boot Care

Dubarry Boots require regular care, this is especially true if you plan to wear Dubarry boots to do yard work or walk on below the tideline on the beach. Manure, waste liquids and salt water are very corrosive to leather. To prolong performance and protection for your Dubarry footwear, always scrub them with a soft brush and rinse with fresh tap water after each exposure. Dubarry produce a range of care products specifically designed to enable their boots to stand up to the battering we all know their boots take. Again you’ll find a lot of chat on the forums about the Dubarry care products and there is broad acknowledgement that, although the official care products might cost slightly more, only a small amount is needed. Consequently they last a really long time and no other product give a better finish or better protection. The lifespan of Dubarry boots is greatly increased by regularly following this easy seven-step care programme using the Dubarry care products:

A Step By Step Guide: Cleaning Your Dubarry Boots with a Dubarry Cleaning Kit

Step 1 Rinse mud, yard manure, dirt and salt with fresh water.

Step 2 Apply Dubarry cleaner and scrub with a brush to help remove more ingrained dirt. The cleaner has been developed using skin care technology and it contains a light beaded material that aids in the removal of dirt and other residues.

Step 3 Rinse with fresh water. 

Step 4 Leave the boot to air dry away from a direct heat source. For best results leave for 24 hours. The boot is now in prime condition ready for proofing and conditioning.

Step 5 Spray the boot, all over, with the Dubarry Footwear Protector. Apply several layers, allowing each dressing to be absorbed before applying the next. For the cleanest results, this step is best completed outside.

Step 6 Leave them to dry naturally again. This time for just 2-3 hours.

Step 7 As an added measure for really hard working boots (leather only), finish with Dubarry Leather Cream, especially in the flex part of the foot. This will help to protect and preserve the leather.

We gave our Dubarry boots a good clean following this step by step guide, to ensure they last and also to keep them looking great.

A Step By Step Guide: Restoring and Renewing Your Boots with a Dubarry Care Kit

Over time even well cared for leather will fade. To counter this natural process Dubarry have evolved Dubarry Colour Restorer to augment the pigment and restore the finish of the boots. If cleaning your boots before restoring, follow the step by step guide on how to clean your boots up to step six.

First, a word of caution: Dubarry Leather Colour Restorer is suitable for use only on the smooth grain leather areas of your boots. DO NOT USE ON NUBUCK OR SUEDE.

Step 1 Select the most appropriate colour from the 3 Dubarry Colour Restorer range (see full description below).

Step 2 Use a soft cloth or brush to apply a small amount of cream to the smooth leather uppers, paying particular attention to the flex area, that bends as you walk.

Step 3 Use a soft cloth or brush to apply a small amount of cream to the leather heel and sole edges to improve their appearance.

Step 4 Rub the cream gently into the leather. Wipe off excess cream.

Step 5 Allow to dry for 2 – 3 hours. If desired, a final gentle buff with a clean, soft cloth will bring out the colour even more. We followed this step by step guide on a pair of well loved boots and they are definitely looking their best again.

Did you know? Just like human skin, natural leathers need regular moisture. Dubarry Leather Cream contains natural ingredients such as eucalyptus oil, lanolin, beeswax, emu oil and tea tree oil to help preserve the leather and increase its water-resistance.

Choosing a Colour Restorer

Dubarry Leather Colour Restorer comes in three colourways: Black, mid-brown and dark brown. Remembering that the restorer should be used only on the smooth grain, the black is suitable for all black and black combination boots, the mid-brown is suitable for the brown, chestnut and tan coloured boots and the dark brown for walnut, mahogany and old rum coloured boots.

How to Store Your Dubarry Boots

• When storing your boots for a long period of time, always clean, treat and dry them first.
• Store in a cool, dry environment with a consistent temperature, away from direct sunlight, extreme heat or damp. An indoor boot room is perfect. Outdoor garages or similar are not ideal, as the temperature can vary greatly and may be damp.
• Your country boots will keep better shape long-term if you use boot trees, especially if you leave them standing upright when not in use. For knee length boots, use Dubarry’s Long Boot Trees, and for mid-calf length boots, like the Donegal and Kildare boots, use Short Boot Trees.
• Dubarry Toe Fillers can be used with any type of Dubarry boot and will help keep the toe area in shape, particularly around the flex area that bends as you walk.
• A Dubarry Boot Jack will help you take off your muddy boots. Do not heel kick or kick against a step when removing your boots – over time this will damage the leather heels.
• For travel, Dubarry Boot Bags are ideal for keeping your boots secure and protected. They also include handy carry handles.

Caring for Dubarry Chelsea boots with Dubarry Boot Cleaner and Protector

Look after your Dubarry Chelsea boots with this easy seven step care guide.

Step 1 Remove dirt, mud, salt water, manure or any waste liquids from your boots at the end of the day, and after each exposure. Simply hose them down with fresh tap water and scrub with a soft brush to remove stubborn grime. Salt water, manure and waste liquids can be very corrosive to leather, so it is vital you rinse off your boots. This will prolong the lifespan of your Dubarry Chelsea boots.

Step 2 Spray Dubarry Gel Footwear Cleaner all over your boots including the fabric parts. Use a soft brush or sponge to work the cleaner into a generous lather and remove ingrained dirt and residues. Do not be afraid to scrub the leather vigorously to give them a thorough clean. Be careful not to oversoak your boots with water. Dubarry Gel Footwear Cleaner is suitable for all types of footwear, including those made from suede or nubuck. It can also be used to clean the leather heels and soles of your Chelsea boots.

Step 3 Rinse off excess cleaner and lather from your boots with clean water from your hose.

Step 4 Dry naturally for 24 hours before further treatment. Never use artificial heat or forced heat to dry your boots, as this will crack the leather. Therefore, do not leave near open fires, AGA ovens or radiators.

Step 5 Spray Dubarry Footwear Protector all over and particularly to any nubuck or suede. Spray in one direction, leave to absorb for 5 minutes, then spray in the opposite direction. Apply several layers, allowing absorption of each layer before applying the next. The Footwear Protector has a strong odour, so this step is best done outside

If your Chelsea boots are made from crushed nubuck leathers, such as the Waterford Chelsea Boots, just use the protector. You do not need cream or conditioner for these leathers.

Step 6 Let your boots dry naturally for 2-3 hours or ideally overnight.

Step 7 Apply Dubarry Footwear Conditioner sparingly to smooth leathers only. Rub in gently with a clean, soft cloth, ensuring you cover the flex area that bends as you walk. If your leather Chelsea boots are well-worn, use Dubarry Leather Cream as a substitute for conditioner, again only on the smooth leather. Allow the cream or conditioner to fully absorb before wear. Do not use Leather Cream or Conditioner on suede or nubuck boots. You should expect the Leather Cream to darken lighter coloured leathers.

Other Care Tips for Dubarry Chelsea Boots

• For well-worn leather Chelsea boots, use Dubarry Colour Restorer to enhance the colour and finish of your boots. Follow our advice for using the Dubarry Colour Restorer. It is only suitable for use on smooth leathers.
• If your Chelsea boots have leather soles or heels, do not forget to clean them as well as the uppers. To do this, rinse off dirt, manure and waste liquids using your hose. Apply Dubarry Footwear Cleaner to leather soles and heel edges. Rinse off and leave to dry for 24 hours. Finish with a heel and sole edge dressing – we recommend Dubarry Leather Cream for this.
• Store your Chelsea boots in a cool, dry environment with a consistent temperature, away from direct sunlight, extreme heat or damp. An indoor cloak room is ideal. Always clean your boots first before storing for long periods of time.

Caring For Dubarry Deck Shoes and Loafers with Dubarry Footwear Cleaner

Dubarry deck shoes are made using full cowhide leathers, which are specially treated to absorb less moisture and take 70% less drying time compared to other leathers. To maintain the suppleness and water-resistance of your deck shoes, follow this easy seven step care guide, regularly:

Step 1 Rinse off saltwater and dirt immediately after every exposure as they are very corrosive to leather. Use clean, cold water and scrub with a soft brush to remove stubborn grime.

Step 2 Spray Dubarry Gel Footwear Cleaner all over your shoes. Scrub with a soft brush, working the cleaner well into the leather to remove any ingrained dirt. Do not be afraid to scrub vigorously to get a generous lather.

Step 3 Use cold water and a clean sponge to rinse off excess cleaner and lather from your deck shoes.

Step 4 Allow shoes to dry naturally and for at least 24 hours before further treatment. Do not leave near direct or artificial heat.

Step 5 Spray Footwear Protector all over your shoes, particularly to any suede or nubuck leather. Apply several thin layers, allowing each layer to absorb, before applying the next.

Nubuck and suede leather finishes should be treated with protector only.

Step 6 Leave your deck shoes to dry naturally for 2-3 hours.

Step 7 For deck shoes made with smooth leathers, apply Dubarry Footwear Conditioner to the smooth leather parts only. Rub in gently using a clean, soft cloth and pay attention to the flex area that bends as you walk. Repeated wetting and drying of leather can lead to cracking so moisturising your deck shoes regularly is important. If your shoes are well-worn, we recommend applying Dubarry Leather Cream, this will help the natural leathers stay nourished, soft and water-resistant. Dubarry Leather Cream contains tea tree oil, beeswax, lanolin and emu oil to effectively preserve, protect and soften leather. Like the Leather Conditioner, it is designed for smooth leathers only and it is normal for the Leather Cream to cause lighter coloured leathers to darken in colour. Never use Leather Cream on suede or nubuck.

Renewing the Colour of Deck Shoes

Dubarry deck shoes are made using the finest natural cowhide leathers, which naturally fade in colour over time. Although colour fading is a natural process, you can use Dubarry’s special Leather Colour Restorer to renew the colour to your deck shoes.

Storing Dubarry Deck Shoes

• Always clean your deck shoes using the seven-step care guide and let them dry naturally before storing for a long period of time. Never store your deck shoes with any salt water, manure or waste liquids on them, as these can permanently damage the leather and rubber of your shoes.
• We do not recommend leaving your deck shoes in a garage or other similarly damp area. It is best to store them in a cool, dry environment with a consistent temperature, away from direct sunlight, extreme heat or damp. An indoor shoe cupboard is perfect. Just make sure your shoe store is not too close to a radiator or other artificial heat source.

What Not To Do When Caring for Your Boots

Sometimes it’s as important to know what not to do. We have heard of people using saddle soap to clean their leather boots and we would strongly advise against this. Saddle soap risks softening the leather to the extent that it loses its shape and form, causing it to stretch and even collapse at the ankle. Another big no is using artificial heat sources to dry boots. It is absolutely critical that boots are dried at an even room temperature. Dry your boots out too fast with too high a heat and you risk cracking the leather. Finally, enjoy your boots. Take them out, work them, become old friends together, look forward to the admiration you will get and to issuing a self-deprecating ‘these old things!’

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