How do you care for and wash your motorcycle shoes?

Wearing mud-covered motorcycle boots sends a message to other bikers: "I'm a real adventurer". However, this has its limits, as a boot full of mosquitoes or nicely speckled with dirt loses performance. Less ventilated, less waterproof, less breathable... In short, it's high time to clean your boots! How do you clean your enduro boots? Which products are best for leather boots? Our tips for putting off the big spring clean? We've got all that covered.

Scrubbing your boots isn't particularly fun. So why not put off the fateful date of spring cleaning? Here are 3 everyday ways to care for your motorcycle boots and shoes:

Wipe regularly

Mosquito spray, mud, traces of dirt: it's best to clean them up as soon as possible. In fact, a quick wipe will prevent the fly's corpse from embedding itself too deeply in the mesh of your shoe. Not only does this delay cleaning, it also makes it easier.

Dry your motorcycle shoes after every ride

This will prevent mycological flora from settling inside. And yeah, we'd rather have fungus in the forest than on the sole. Incidentally, it also delays the onset of unpleasant odors. Our advice? Prefer natural drying, even if it takes time. So forget the super wood-burning stove, which will considerably damage your favorite enduro moccasin.

Store your shoes in a dry, well-ventilated place

This recommendation also applies to the rest of your biker gear. The benefits? No humidity, which means no strange odors or the proliferation of dubious bacteria.

An essential part of the summer biker's gear, the sneaker has the particularity of being super-ventilated. The aim of this spring cleaning? Give them back their ability to ventilate your socks.

We start by removing the laces so we can scrub every nook and cranny. Then, using a soft brush, you can scrub the entire outside of your shoe to remove any mosquito residue on the surface.

Now it's time to wash. Use a sponge or cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to gently caress the curves of your favorite pump. A final wipe with a damp cloth will remove any soap residue. Finally, if you've been too heavy-handed with the washing, we recommend removing any excess water with a sponge or paper towel.

The final step? Spray on a water-repellent spray suitable for synthetic materials to avoid having your feet soaked when the first rain comes.

----> Airolube LEATHER & FABRIC CLEANER 500ml

----> Fabric protector Airolube FABRIC PROTECT 500ml

Apart from the aesthetic aspect, the aim of this major clean-up will be to restore the breathability of Gore Tex. As a reminder, there's nothing magical about this material. It's simply a mesh that's wide enough to let air through, but fine enough to block water. So it's both waterproof and breathable.

The esoteric aspect aside, your Druidic incantations won't be needed for a thorough scrubbing. Would a good old washing machine do the job? Well, even if it could, we'd advise against it for the sake of your boot - and your machine too. Using a soft bristle brush, scrub your boot to remove surface impurities. Then, using a cloth soaked in lukewarm water, scrub it thoroughly. That's all there is to it! Nothing too complicated. Did your feet get wet the last time you rode in Brittany? Then it's time to apply a suitable water-repellent product to restore your motorcycle boots to their legendary waterproof status.

----> Waterproofing Muc-Off Rain Shield 250ml

Leather is by far the material that needs the most attention. And with good reason: it's alive! That's why it needs to be carefully cleaned and, above all, nourished with the right foods. The 3 steps to proper washing? Clean, nourish, waterproof.

Start by polishing the skin with a damp cloth or wipe to remove surface impurities. Now it's time for a more thorough cleaning with a cloth soaked in soapy water or, ideally, a leather cleaner. The aim? Deeply unclog the pores of the leather to restore its breathability.

Once you've washed your boot, you can move on to the second stage of the spa: applying the nourishing product with a soft cloth. The key point? Choose the right balm. Yes, every animal skin is different. A Nubuk does not require the same nutrients as a full flower, for example. You can then pour yourself a cup of coffee while the cream penetrates the leather. After a few minutes, remove excess product with a soft cloth or micro-fiber wipe.

The final step in this rejuvenating treatment is to apply a coat of waterproofing product. Your leather will then be completely waterproof again.

What about old-fashioned remedies like candle wax or kerosene? Leave them in the closet. For €20 to €30, you can buy a dedicated product that will really extend the life of your boots. No misplaced savings!

----> Belgom CUIR Leather Renovator 250ml

----> Belgom Leather Care Wax 250ml

Let's face it: your enduro boots are designed to take a beating. So there's no need to be picky about washing them. A jet of water will do the trick, or even a karcher if the mud is really stubborn. Remember to loosen all the curls, so you can scrub every nook and cranny. What do I have to watch out for? Make sure you don't tear off any scratches on the opening flaps. What's more, you'll need to spray precisely to prevent water from entering the boot. Otherwise, the drying stage will take many hours. When it comes to drying, the blowgun works very well to evacuate excess water from the outer surface and inaccessible nooks and crannies.

Do you want to avoid the post-game locker room scent every time you take off your shoes? Here are a few tips:

When you wash your shoes outside, take the opportunity to scrub the inside too. To do this, take out the sole and run it through the washing machine to extract the sock juice. As the inner foams are not detachable, you'll need to clean them in-situ. To do this, spray them with disinfectant spray. As well as destroying bacteria, this product will leave a delicate scent of Swedish pine or Provençal lavender. Better than fermented perspiration, don't you think?

----> Purifying helmet and equipment Airolube ANTI ODOUR GEAR REFRESHER 200ml

----> Helmet Care Motorex

----> Purifying helmet and motorcycle equipment GS27 250ml

Which mid-season gloves or adventurer's boots to choose? How to maintain and wash your equipment? How to care for your motorcycle helmet? Our blog is packed with tutorials to help you choose and care for your motorcycle gear. Don't hesitate to take a look. And if you have any questions about a specific product, contact us or come and see us at our showroom in the Paris region.