How to Clean and Care
for Hiking Shoes
A Step-by-Step Care Guide
How to Clean and Care
Your shoes take more punishment than any other piece of outdoor kit. Every walk brings mud, water, sweat and grit — and without regular care, that gradually breaks down the materials, the waterproofing and the fit. Whether you wear lightweight trail shoes for day hikes or sturdy leather boots for multi-day tours, the right cleaning and care routine keeps them functional and comfortable for longer. This guide covers everything: how to clean hiking shoes properly, how to dry them without causing damage, and how to reproof them so they're ready for whatever comes next.
Can you put hiking shoes in the washing machine?
No - never machine wash hiking shoes. The heat, drum movement and detergent used in a standard wash cycle can damage the materials, loosen adhesive bonds and compromise any waterproof membrane inside the shoe.
The sections below show you the right approach: a straightforward three-step process that cleans your shoes thoroughly without putting the construction at risk.
How to clean hiking shoes: step by step
Clean hiking shoes in three stages: preparation, outside, inside. Working through them in order avoids re-contaminating areas you've already cleaned.
1. Prepare
Remove the insole so it can dry out and air separately. If you want to wax or treat the shoe afterwards, pull the laces out too.
2. Outside
Rinse the shoe under running water and use a brush to loosen and remove heavy dirt. Clear the sole of mud, stones and grit - a build-up here affects grip over time.
3. Inside
Clean the inside of the shoe with lukewarm water and a brush. If your shoe has a standard lining without a TEXAPORE membrane, you can use a bar of gall soap. If the lining contains TEXAPORE - Jack Wolfskin's waterproof breathable membrane - use water only. Soap residue can affect how the membrane performs.
Clean the insole separately with lukewarm water and a little soap, then leave it to air dry fully before putting it back in.
How to dry hiking shoes properly
Never dry hiking shoes near direct heat.
No radiators, no direct sunlight, no campfire, no stove. Wet leather is highly sensitive to heat - it dries out, hardens and cracks, and that damage is permanent.
Shoes are wet
Stuff them loosely with crumpled newspaper and leave them overnight. The paper absorbs moisture from the inside without heat. Replace the newspaper if it becomes saturated before the shoe is dry.
Shoes are dry
Wooden shoe trees help the shoe keep its shape between uses, particularly for leather boots that can lose structure over time.
After drying:
Always reproof once the shoe is completely dry - wet shoes don't absorb proofer evenly, so waiting until they're fully dry makes the treatment more effective.
How to reproof hiking shoes
Reproofing restores the water-repellent finish that keeps moisture out during walks. It's the step most people skip — and the one that makes the biggest difference to how long a shoe stays waterproof.
When to reproof:
After every thorough clean, and after any occasion where the shoe has been heavily soaked. You can check whether it's still needed: sprinkle a few drops of water on the upper. If they bead up and roll off, the finish is still working. If they soak in, it's time to reproof.
How to reproof:
The shoe must be completely dry first. All Jack Wolfskin shoe materials can be treated with the Footwear Proofer — follow the instructions on the product for the best result.
Leather shoes: extra care steps
Leather dries out over time and needs conditioning as well as waterproofing - not just one or the other. The right product depends on what you have available.
Footwear Proofer
Suitable for all shoe materials. Restores water repellency after cleaning or heavy use.
Leather wax
For smooth leather only - conditions the leather and waterproofs in one step.
Not currently in our range; the Footwear Proofer covers the waterproofing for all materials.
Protect metal hooks and eyelets with a little wax to prevent corrosion - particularly relevant if you walk regularly in wet or salty conditions.
Tips for wearing your shoes outdoors
Managing sweat:
Sweat is the main issue during any walk. Leather linings absorb more moisture and release it slowly; synthetic linings and insole covers draw it away from the foot more actively. Either way, all shoes need to air properly every evening — regardless of lining type.
At the end of each day: open the shoe fully, remove the insole and let both air separately overnight. This prevents moisture building up inside, which over time can affect both the lining and the fit.
Managing wet conditions:
Reproof your shoes before any walk in wet terrain — it's easier to maintain water repellency than to restore it once the shoe is soaked through. Shoes without a waterproof membrane can get fully saturated; in that case, use the newspaper method overnight and reproof once dry.
The right care product for your hiking shoes
A clean shoe holds its shape and waterproofing longer. We stock everything you need for the job.
Frequently asked questions
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