Step 1. Keep It Clean—Inside and Out

Abrasive particles of dirt can work their way into the leather or other materials of your footwear causing them to break down. Rinsing or scrubbing with water and a soft brush will generally do the trick. For stubborn grime, clean with a special footwear cleaning product such as Granger’s G-Wax Footwear Cleaner. This residue-free cleaner will not impair the application of subsequent conditioners or waterproofing treatments.

Step 2: Condition When Necessary

Like your skin, leather can dry out, become stiff and crack. Revive dried-out leather with an application of leather conditioner. This will replenish moisturizing lubricants in the leather and keep it supple. Avoid oily conditioners that tend to over-soften leather such as mink oil, dubbin and Neatsfoot oil which all cause the footwear to lose support. Granger's G-Tec Conditioner for Footwear maintains suppleness of leather without over-softening.

Step 3: Maintain Water-Repellency

Maintaining the water repellency of you footwear is key to your comfort in wet or cold weather. Soaked leather or fabric of your footwear reduces breathability, makes the footwear heavy and contributes to heat loss. This is why even Gore-Tex footwear should be treated regularly. Leaky boots allow socks to become wet—this makes feet tender and susceptible to the formation of blisters.

Always choose waterproofing treatments that are breathable (wax-based treatments will block the pores of the leather). The best products offer long-lasting, high level water and stain repellency.

We recommend two or three coats of a waterbased water and stain repellent such as Granger's G-Wax or G-Tec series products. These long-lasting, breathable treatments penetrate the leather or fabric and deposit durable water and stain repellent molecules on the footwear without changing the appearance or texture.

Step 4: Dry It Right

Dry footwear at moderate (room) temperatures--avoid direct heat. Excessive heat will damage the leather and adhesives used to construct the footwear. An alternative to the various types of boot dryers on the market is to stuff the wet footwear with newspaper. Replace soaked newspaper and repeat until boot is dry. Clean the linings of your footwear after each use. Remove foot beds (insoles), shake out sand, gravel and dirt. Wipe interior of footwear with a damp cloth to remove perspiration and salt deposits that accumulate in the linings. An occasional spray of Granger's Odor Eliminator will freshen your boots by eliminating odor causing bacteria.

Socks make a difference

The sock is the only thing between your foot and the footwear. Having an inappropriate sock for the occasion it can be the difference between a miserable or great time. Bargain brand socks will come back to haunt you.

Top quality socks from the likes of Bridgedale, Dahlgren, Fox River, Lorpen, Smartwool and Thorlo are worth every penny!

Waterworks Technology

The advantages of Granger’s WaterWorks Technology®.

Granger’s WaterWorks Technology® is our group of products that use water instead of petroleum solvents to deliver the active ingredients. We use water in place of harmful chemicals in an effort to provide safe, non-toxic, effective and environment-friendly products. No animal testing is involved in the development of these water based products. Granger’s WaterWorks Technology® products contain higher levels of active ingredients than petroleum solvent treatments resulting in better performance for you. Several Granger's treatments contain high-performance fluoropolymers as active ingredients. Our fluoropolymer products ARE NOT using PFOA and DO NOT contain PFOA! Independent tests confirm this. We are proud to offer the benefits of these formulas while being safe to use and safe for the environment.

HIKING BOOT CARE – The good folks at Granger's Waterproofing share these tips for getting the most from your outdoor footwear.

Hiking and climbing boots, trail running shoes all benefit from periodic maintenance.

Proper footwear care (cleaning, conditioning and waterproofing) prolongs the life of your outdoor boots and shoes thus protecting your investment in your gear and your feet. More importantly, regular maintenance will allow the footwear to perform its best in terms of providing, comfort, support and protection.  It’s really quite simple—clean, condition, dry and waterproof.

Visit www.grangersusa.com for more information.

Benefits of Granger's

Granger's offers state-of-the-art chemistry to achieve the highest level of water and stain repellency. Granger's also utilizes components found in the cosmetics industry that help to condition leather, improve absorption and maintain the look and feel of leather.

EFFECTIVE – Granger's products achieve the highest ratings for water
and stain repellency in independent laboratory tests (SATRA) and more
importantly 'real-life' field use.

DURABLE – Longlasting treatments that stand up to require less frequent
application—saving you time and money.

SAFE TO USE – Granger's products contain proven-safe fluoropolymers
that outperform other products in terms of waterproofing and oil/stain
resistance and durabilty.

EXPERTS IN WATERPROOFING – Granger's has been producing waterproofing since 1937. Over the years we have learned a thing or two about how to care for footwear, clothing and equipment.

Hiking boot manufacturers who endorse Granger's

These fine manufacturers of footwear acknowledge the performance of Granger's waterproofing, cleaners and condtioners for footwear.

Granger's is endorsed by Chaco, Montrail, Pittards, Scarpa and Vasque.

FitSystem by Phil Oren

Granger's is a longtime sponsor of the FitSystem by Phil Oren educational clinics that instruct end-users and retail sales staff on the value of getting the right boots, right fit, right socks and right footwear care products. Of course, Phil Oren the 'guru of boot fitting' recommends Granger's Waterproofing. www.fitsystembyphiloren.com

Granger's FAQs

Q. Why do I need a different product for my Gore-Tex® footwear? Most other shoe care brands recommend their product for all types of footwear including Gore-Tex®!

A. W.L.Gore® has extremely high standards that require that care products do not impede any of the breathability qualities of Gore-Tex® footwear. Why spend the extra money on Gore-Tex® waterproof / breathable technology and treat it with anything that will reduce the breathability and compromise the performance. Granger’s G-Tec footwear protectors, cleaners and conditioners optimize the performance of Gore-Tex® footwear.

Q. What is the difference between Granger's G-Tec and G-Wax lines of footwear treatments?

A. Granger's G-Tec line optimizes breathability. These protectants and conditioners are guaranteed to maintain the breathability of Gore-Tex® footwear. G-Tec treatments are ideal for any footwear with waterproof / breathable liners such as Gore-Tex®, eVent® or Sympatex®.

Granger's G-Wax products maximizes water and stain repellency.
G-Wax treatments are for the most demanding of conditions when you want the highest level of water and stain repellency. The G-Wax series of waterproofing treatment are the most durable as well.

Q. How long will the treatment last?

A. While no treatments are permanent—Granger's G-Wax line of products are formulated to bond securely to the leather or fabric of footwear. The tenacity of this bond allows the treatment to remain effect for a long time. As a rule of thumb, we recommend a monthly application if you use the footwear on a regular basis to insure that your feet will stay dry and the footwear protected from the elements. The best gauge is to reapply if you notice the leather or fabric starting to absorb moisture--‘wet out.’ The durability of the treatments will be enhanced by first applying them to clean footwear. Two or three coats of the treatment will improve durability and we suggest allowing the treatment to dry completely between applications.

Take me to more FAQs and Tech Tips on footwear care.

Granger's G-Tec Products

Cradles for your feet

The use of good quality footbeds can enhance the comfort of your footwear. By The best footbeds and orthotics support, stabilize and cushion your feet. We personally have 'happy feet' as a result of adding Superfeet footbeds to our boots.