How to Store Cowboy Boots? Expert Tips!

Before tucking away your cowboy boots for an extended rest, it’s essential to clean and condition them properly to start their hibernation off on the right foot. Here are the necessary steps:

1. Clean Thoroughly

The first step in preparing any pair of boots for storage is giving them a thorough cleaning to remove built-up dirt, dust, and debris. A pair of boots fresh off the range or a weekend music festival may require a bit more scrubbing, while gently worn city slicker boots may only need a light freshening up.

Use a soft bristle brush to dislodge dried mud or caked-on soil and sweep away any loose dirt. Pay special attention to seams, stitching, and other crevices where grime can collect.

For cowboy boots, specialty leather cleaners are ideal for lifting dirt while conditioning the material. Saddle soaps designed specifically for cleaning leather boots and tack have just the right amount of moisture and oil lifting surfactants to clean leather effectively without excessive drying. Apply the mild soap with a damp clean cloth, avoiding over-wetting the leather. Wipe away any residue with a dry section of the cloth.

For suede cowboy boots, use a special suede brush and gentle suede cleaner to lift ground-in dirt. Apply the cleaner sparingly and gently brush in different directions with a suede brush. Avoid excessive moisture.

Whatever cleaning method you choose, always allow boots to fully air dry at room temperature before storage. Never speed up drying with direct heat, which can cause leather to crack or become brittle.

2. Condition the Leather

Once clean, it’s essential to condition and re-moisturize the leather to prevent it from drying out in storage. Use a leather conditioner or boot cream and apply it evenly across the surface of the boots. Massage it gently into the leather with a clean cloth or applicator sponge, taking care to reach every nook and cranny. Pay special attention to any areas that appear cracked or dry.

Silicone-based conditioners and oil-based boot creams designed specifically for leather work best, as they soak in fully and help replace lost moisture from the hide. Always allow the conditioner adequate time to fully absorb before storage – usually at least a few hours. Wipe away any excess.

Properly conditioning your cowboy boots before storage nourishes the leather, keeping it supple and preventing brittleness and cracking down the road.

3. Stuff Boots

The final step in storage prep is filling out the interior of the boots with stuffing or boot trees. This helps boots maintain their shape instead of collapsing or developing creases while not being worn.

Boot trees are shaped inserts that fit snugly into the foot and leg portion of the boot to hold its form. High quality wooden or plastic boot trees provide the best support. If boot trees are not available, you can stuff the boots with other materials:

• Acid-free tissue paper
• Non-inked newsprint or wrapping paper
• Cotton rags or old t-shirts

Wads of paper or fabric should fill the entire boot interior from toe to shaft. The stuffing does not need to be tightly packed but should offer light resistance when sliding your hand inside the boot.

Proper stuffing is especially important for tall cowboy boots, preventing the tall riding shaft from slouching or creasing. It also allows air to properly circulate inside the boot during storage.

Selecting an optimal storage location for your cherished cowboy boots is just as important as prepping the boots themselves. Certain environmental conditions can cause boots to degrade, lose shape, or even grown mold.

Here are the key factors to keep in mind when selecting a storage site:

1. Controlled Climate

Temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors can wreak havoc on stored boots over time. The ideal conditions for storing boots long-term involve a dark, dry location with moderate, stable temperature and humidity. Specifically:

• Temperature between 60-75°F
• Low relative humidity around 40-50%
• Avoid direct sunlight

Spaces exposed to moisture or frequent temperature fluctuations will experience faster deterioration of leather and synthetic boot materials. Storing boots in a basement, closet, or climate controlled attic space provides the most favorable conditions.

2. Well-Ventilated

While a dry environment is crucial, it is equally important that the storage space has adequate airflow and is not completely airtight. Leather boots require some ability to breathe, so oxygen can reach the materials and prevent mold or mildew from developing.

Open racks, shelves, and wire baskets allow air to freely circulate around each pair of boots. You can use protective dust sleeves or bags as long as they are breathable fabrics. Avoid non-breathable plastic containers or vacuum seal bags.

3. Accessible Area

Even in long-term storage, you’ll need periodic access to your boots to check their condition or retrieve a special pair for an occasion. Choose a storage location that allows easy retrieval without having to move piles of boxes or other equipment.

Overloading a shelf or cramming too many pairs into a tight space makes it frustrating and risks damaging boots when pulling them in and out. Make sure each pair has adequate room to breathe. Shelving, cubbies, or sliding stackable bins help keep stored boots organized.

Keeping cowboy boots upright rather than laying horizontally is a golden rule for storage. Much like how hanging clothes prevents wrinkles compared to folding, upright boots maintain their structure best. Here are some vertical storage techniques:

1. Maintain Boot Shape

Letting cowboy boots slump over or collapse during storage is one of the fastest ways for them to develop permanent creases and lose their form. Gravity takes its toll on the soft leathers.

Storing boots standing upright – heels down and shafts straight – counteracts the effects of gravity and cushioning materials inside fill the empty space to hold shape. Boot trees do double duty supporting both the foot and shaft shape.

Rarely worn boots benefit the most from diligent vertical storage between wears. Consistently wearing and walking in boots keeps the materials flexed and conformed to your feet. Infrequent wears allow lax leathers to sag.

2. Use Shoe Racks

Open-aired shoe racks provide ideal vertical storage for boots, allowing each pair to stand heel down on an angled platform or shelf. The space between boot pairs enables air circulation as well.

Stackable cube storage bins work on a similar principle, providing upright columns for boots while still allowing some airflow. They also protect from dust. Just avoid over-packing them.

For taller cowboy boots, look for racks designed specifically to accommodate boots that extend well above the ankle. Some have dedicated heel catches or deeper slots.

3. Hang Boots on Wall

Hanging boots vertically is another space-saving option if floor area is limited. Specialized wall-mounted racks have slots, hooks, or clips to hang boots by their shafts or pull straps.

Depending on the design, most cowboy boot styles can be hung by the tops. Just take care with extremely tall boots. Hanging too high places strain on the shafts.

An over-the-door hanging rack is another way to store multiple pairs of boots off the floor. The door hook secures the rack while boots slide into vertical shafts much like a shoe rack.

Cowboy boot leathers require some special considerations in storage for protection beyond just the vertical position. Keeping away dust and light can be just as important.

1. Dust Covers

Unless enclosed in a cabinet, boots attract dust even in the cleanest homes. As dust settles into the tiny crevices and textures of the leather, it can leave behind abrasive grit that degrades and dulls the material when disturbed.

Using individual fabric boot bags, sleeves, or wraps contains dust exposure while still allowing needed air exchange. Changing out these covers every 6-12 months removes accumulated grime.

For suede boots, which are more prone to scuffing, protect with suede-specific waterproofing sprays before using fabric dust covers. The durable seal protects pores.

2. Avoid Direct Sunlight

The UV radiation and heat from direct sunlight can degrade boot materials in as little as a few weeks if constantly exposed. Sunlight oxidizes and dries out leather, causing it to crack and lose suppleness. It also fades colors over time.

Ideally, cowboy boots should be stored in an interior room without windows, or with curtains used to block sunlight. If boots must be stored in windowed spaces, utilize shades with UV reflective films or coatings. These block the solar radiation.

For additional protection, store boots inside non-clear plastic bins, cloth bags, or cardboard boxes. However, take care that the containers aren’t fully airtight.

3. Check Condition Regularly

Even in ideal storage environments, it’s smart to periodically check on the condition of stored boots every few months for the first year, then once or twice per year after that.

Look for any signs of moisture, musty odors, stiffness/dryness, mold, or actual damage. Catching problems early allows them to be corrected before boots are ruined. Boots properly stored and maintained can last indefinitely.

If any issues are found, remove boots to a dry location and address as needed:

• Dry thoroughly before returning to storage
• Re-condition overly dry leather
• Disinfect mildly musty boots
• Repair any damage found

An ounce of prevention saves major headaches down the road!

For cowboy boots worn only occasionally or brought out during select seasons, more diligent storage methods must be used to ensure many years of wear. Here are some extra long-term boot storage tips:

1. Store Boots By Wear

The boots worn most frequently and showing the most signs of wear should remain accessible. Reserve off-season long-term storage for boots in better condition.

Boots already broken-in to your feet benefit from regular wear. Prolonged storage can allow them to lose their shape conformity.

2. Rotate Boots

For boots worn only occasionally throughout the year, rotate their storage after each wear. This helps the leather stay supple and prevents any one pair from remaining stagnant too long.

Allowing boots days or weeks resting upright between wears is better than months or years of hanging untouched. The periodic flex of being worn preserves materials.

3. Re-condition Boots

In addition to conditioning before storage, reapply conditioner to long-term stored boots at least every 2-3 months (more frequently in very dry climates). This replenishes oils and prevents cracks.

Use cedar shoe trees and cedar blocks in storage containers to help regulate moisture and repel insects. The cedar wood absorbs excess moisture while releasing aromatic oils.

For the most fragile smooth leathers, wrap boots in acid-free tissue paper before placing in breathable storage bags. The tissue wrap acts as a buffer and absorbs oils from the leather.

When the day finally comes to break those beauties out of storage, take care to “wake up” the boots slowly before wearing to avoid damage. Here’s how to safely bring boots out of hibernation:

• Allow boots to gradually adjust to room temperature before wearing to prevent thermal shocks to the materials from cold closets or garages. The cool-down period allows the leather to become pliable again.
• Take first wears slowly. Wear boots inside the house for short periods, taking breaks. The periodic flexing re-softens and reshapes the boot gradually.
• For extremely dried-out boots, apply additional conditioner and flex the foot and leg areas by hand to limber things up before that first wear.
• After the first wear, allow boots a day to air out before returning to the closet. Check for any signs of needed cleaning or conditioning. Don’t immediately put sweaty boots back into closed storage.

Following this controlled break-in process gets stored boots back up and running – comfortably and without damage!

While we’ve covered the dos, let’s quickly summarize the don’ts of cowboy boot storage to avoid:

• Leaving boots dirty or moist before storage – debris and moisture damage leather over time in storage
• Allowing boots to fold over or crease rather than stand upright – gravity will cause slouching and loss of form
• Using non-breathable plastic bags or airtight plastic bins – moisture gets trapped, risking mold
• Exposing boots to humidity, wide temperature swings, or direct sunlight – all deteriorate materials
• Stacking heavy objects or other shoes on top of stored boots – can crush boots and damage shapes
• Neglecting to clean and re-condition boots periodically during storage – leads to dried, cracked, damaged leather

Adhering to all the proper care guidelines, even for rugged cowboy boots, ensures maximum lifespan. Don’t let negligence cut short your boots’ storied journeys!

A good pair of cowboy boots represents a meaningful investment – both financially and emotionally. By caring for stored boots properly between adventures with the conditioning, stuffing, drying, and environmental controls outlined above, they’ll provide comfort and confidence for countless two-steps, line dances, and days working under blue skies.

While it may seem like a lot of fuss for a hunk of tanned hides and stitched leather, just a few simple precautions go a long way in preservation. The small acts of diligent storage add up to boots that last lifetimes and create timeless memories.

Trusty cowboy boots ask little of their owners, just a good brushing, occasional nourishment for their leathers, and a dry spot to rest when work is done. In return, they support mile after mile of whatever journey lies ahead. It’s a trade-off any cowpoke can live with.

So grab those boot pulls, give a firm tug, and let your boots enjoy the break they’ve earned. When it’s time to don them again, whether months or even years down the trail, they’ll be ready to saddle up anew thanks to proper care during their well-deserved beauty rest.

How often should stored boots be conditioned?

Conditioning frequency depends on climate and wear, but every 2-3 months is a good general guideline for boots in storage. Less often for very arid climates, more frequently for humid.

Can cowboy boots be stored in their original boxes?

Yes, original boot boxes can work as storage containers if they are sturdy and allow some airflow. The box helps protect from scuffs and dust. Use acid-free tissue or packing paper inside to maintain shape.

Should suede boots be stored differently than leather?

Suede boots require some extra considerations like suede protector spray before storage and more diligent dust covers, as the napped surface is vulnerable to dirt, moisture, and scuffs. Breathable fabric bags work best.

What is the ideal temperature range to store cowboy boots?

The recommended temperature range for boot storage is 60-75°F. Avoid extremes below freezing or above 80°F as well as rapid fluctuations. Leather can become brittle when too cold and dry out when very hot.

How can you safely disinfect stored boots?

For mild disinfecting, boot sprays containing clove oil or tea tree oil act as natural fungicides/bactericides. For tougher cases, UV shoe sanitizers kill germs and odors. Avoid harsh chemicals on leather.

Do expensive exotic leather boots require special storage?

Yes, delicate exotic leathers like ostrich and lizard are more prone to drying out. Use leather conditioners made for exotics and store in breathable bags. Limit temperature swings. Dust frequently.