Your JOBOLT boots are built to go the distance — European-made, Vibram-soled, and waterproofed with a TOPAZ membrane. But even the best boots need looking after. Mud, chalk, peat, and grit all take their toll on nubuck and suede uppers. Clean them properly and they’ll last years. Neglect them and the leather dries out, the waterproofing fails, and the upper starts to crack.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how to clean after a walk, how to treat stubborn stains, and how to keep your boots performing season after season.
Why Boot Care Matters
Nubuck and suede are buffed leathers — they have an open grain that breathes well and moulds to your foot over time, but that same open grain absorbs dirt and moisture. Left uncleaned, ground-in grit acts like sandpaper on the fibres, weakening the leather from the inside. Dried mud also blocks the membrane’s ability to breathe, trapping sweat inside the boot.
Regular cleaning — even a quick brush-down after every walk — makes a significant difference to how long your boots last and how comfortable they remain.
What You’ll Need
For a proper clean, you need two things: a good cleaner and a soft brush or microfibre cloth. We stock both.
For deep cleaning: JOBOLT Eco-Friendly Shoe Cleaner Gel
A nano-structured gel made from plant-based, fermentation-derived ingredients. It penetrates deep into nubuck and suede fibres, lifting ground-in dirt without stripping the leather or damaging waterproofing. PFC-free, vegan, hypoallergenic, and made in Estonia — the same country as your boots.
Shop Shoe Cleaner Gel – £34.99
For a complete kit: JOBOLT Shoe Cleaning Kit
Everything you need in one package — the same concentrated, plant-based formula in a kit format. Ideal if you’re setting up a proper boot care routine from scratch. Works on leather, suede, nubuck, and outdoor textiles.
Shop Shoe Cleaning Kit – £34.99
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Nubuck and Suede Hiking Boots
Step 1 — Remove loose dirt first
Before applying any cleaner, knock the boots together to dislodge loose mud. Use a dry stiff brush to remove dried dirt from the sole and welt. Don’t scrub the upper while it’s still dry — you’ll grind the dirt further into the grain.
Step 2 — Dampen the upper
Lightly dampen the upper with clean water. This opens the grain slightly and helps the cleaner penetrate. Don’t soak the boot — just enough to make the surface slightly damp.
Step 3 — Apply the cleaner
Apply a small amount of the Shoe Cleaner Gel to a damp microfibre cloth or soft brush. Work in gentle circular motions across the upper. You’ll see the dirt lifting into the cloth. For heavily soiled areas, apply a little more and leave for up to 30 minutes before wiping.
Step 4 — Wipe clean
Use a clean damp cloth to remove the cleaner and lifted dirt. Repeat if needed on stubborn patches.
Step 5 — Dry naturally
Stuff the boots loosely with newspaper to help them hold their shape and absorb moisture. Leave to dry at room temperature — never near a radiator or in direct sunlight. Heat dries out leather and can cause cracking and delamination of the sole.
Step 6 — Re-treat waterproofing
Once dry, re-apply a waterproofing treatment. Cleaning removes some of the DWR (durable water repellent) coating, so this step is important if you’re heading back out in wet conditions.
How Often Should You Clean Your Boots?
- After every walk: Knock off loose mud, brush the sole, wipe the upper with a damp cloth
- Every 3–5 walks: Full clean with the gel cleaner
- Every season: Deep clean, condition the leather, re-treat waterproofing
- Before storage: Full clean and dry before putting away for the off-season
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Drying near heat — radiators and boot dryers set too high will crack leather and delaminate soles
- Machine washing — the agitation and heat damage the membrane and the leather grain
- Using washing-up liquid — it strips the natural oils from leather and leaves residue that blocks the membrane
- Skipping the re-waterproof step — cleaning removes DWR coating; always re-treat before your next wet walk
- Storing damp — mould and mildew will form inside the boot if stored before fully dry
A Note on Nubuck vs Suede
Both are buffed leathers, but nubuck is buffed on the grain side (the outside of the hide) and suede on the flesh side (the inside). Nubuck is slightly more durable and water-resistant; suede is softer but more absorbent. Both respond well to the same cleaning approach — gentle, plant-based cleaner, no heat, no harsh solvents.
JOBOLT boots use full-grain nubuck on the upper — one of the most durable materials available for hiking footwear, and one that rewards proper care with years of reliable performance.
Ready to Start?
Both products are available now with free UK delivery.