How to Protect Leather Shoes From Cracking

There is nothing worse than seeing your leather shoes get damaged by cracking and peeling. Cracking of leather is a common problem regardless of the type of leather you have. Patent leather, in particular, is prone to cracking.

So what causes leather shoes to crack?

Many factors can lead to cracks in your leather boots. The most common is drying out of leather. Cracks also occur when shoes are overused, worn in harsh weather conditions, or not taken care of properly. Dust and dirt particles can also contribute to leather cracking.

Cracks make shoes look old and unattractive. In severe cases, the leather can break off entirely from the shoe, leaving an ugly mess. Luckily, the cracking of leather can be identified early and prevented.

Leather is made from animal skin, so it needs to be cared for just like our own skin. We need to moisturize and protect our shoes regularly, much as we do with our skin. Here are a few tips on how to prevent shoes from cracking and keep them looking new.

Clean and Condition Your Leather Boots Regularly

The most effective way to stop leather boots from cracking is by cleaning them regularly. Dust and dirt particles are very abrasive and will wear down the leather over time. Additionally, these particles can work their way into cracks, causing them to get larger over time.

To clean your leather boot, use a horsehair shoebrush. Suede and nubuck leather should be brushed with a suede shoe brush. For full-grain leather, you can use a nylon brush. Make sure to clean the upper, heel counter, and outsole thoroughly since these areas accumulate more dirt. Soft cotton cloth can also be used to remove stubborn dirt from shoes.

After cleaning your shoes, it is time to condition them. Conditioning your leather boots will help to keep them moisturized and protect the leather from cracking. With a microfiber cloth, apply a light coat of leather conditioner in a circular motion to the entire shoe. It is best to let the leather conditioner soak in for at least 30 minutes before wearing the shoe. You can also use shoe polish or shoe cream to prevent leather cracks.

There are many types of leather conditioners on the market, so it’s important to select one that works with your type of leather. Test it on a small, inconspicuous area before applying the leather conditioner to the whole shoe. This will ensure that the leather conditioner does not cause any discoloration or damage to your leather boots.

If you live in a cold, snowy climate, it’s essential to avoid salt stains. Snowmelt contains salt, leaving white stains on your shoes and quickly drying the leather. This will cause the leather to crack. Thus, it’s vital to remove salt stains as soon as possible.

Preventing snow and salt stains is the best way to avoid damage. This guide will help you protect leather against snow and salt.

Get Rid of Wrinkles As Soon As You Spot Them

Wrinkling is a common problem with leather boots. It is often caused by the natural stretching and flexing of the leather as we walk in them. Over time, these wrinkles may result in leather cracks.  

If you spot wrinkles on your shoes, it is best to remove them as soon as possible. This can be done using an iron, heat gun, or rubbing alcohol.

If your shoes have developed wrinkles, our guide to getting rid of wrinkles on leather shoes will help you out.

Loosen the Laces Before Wearing or Taking Off Leather Boots

Leather boots are meant to fit seamlessly, not forced or pressed onto your feet at all costs. Pushing down on the shoe can cause unnatural stress and tension on the leather. This can lead to wrinkles, which will cause deep cracks.

To avoid putting unnecessary stress on your shoes, always unlace them before putting them on or taking them off. This will loosen the shoe and make it easier to slip on or off. Use one hand to open the tongue of your shoes and the other hand to open the heel. ​Then lower your foot out of the leather boots.

Using a shoehorn is also vital to avoid putting stress on your shoes’ heel counter and backstay. You can guide your foot into the shoe without stretching the leather with a shoehorn. Consequently, the leather boot won’t crack around the heel counter.

Shoehorns are a must for putting on tight shoes.

Keep Them Away From Direct Heat Sources

Leather boots are not meant to be exposed to direct heat sources, such as radiators, room heaters, and even direct sunlight. Direct heat dries out the natural oils and fibers of the leather and causes them to crack.

If you accidentally expose your leather boots to direct light or heat sources, it’s important to condition them as soon as possible. This will help to re-hydrate the leather and prevent the leather from cracking.

Make sure you take extra care if you have dark-colored shoes. These shoes absorb heat more readily, causing them to dry out and crack quickly. Additionally, the dark leather boot will fade with constant exposure to heat.

Keep Leather Shoes Away From Excess Water

As leather is a porous material, it will quickly absorb any liquid that comes into contact. This even includes sweat from your feet. When this liquid leaves the leather, it takes the natural oils. This will potentially lead the leather to dry out and crack.

You should limit the time your leather boots are exposed to water. If your shoes get wet, make sure you air dry them as quickly as possible. Taking care of wet shoes is vital to avoid damage. Our guide on taking care of wet shoes will help you out with it.

Make sure you carry extra socks if you sweat a lot. It is recommended to wear socks made of cotton or wool over synthetic materials like nylon. Synthetic materials do not absorb sweat from your feet.

If you are going to be in a rainy environment, make sure you pre-treat your shoes with waterproofing spray. Check out our guide for more tips on protecting leather shoes from rain.

Store Them in a Cool, Dry Place

Storing shoes is another important way to protect them from cracking. Leather boots should be stored in a cool, dry environment when not being worn. This will protect the leather from drying out or developing creases.

Store your shoes in a well-ventilated space like a closet or shoe rack and away from direct sunlight. The air around leather boots needs to circulate, so they don’t get musty and moldy.

If your leather boot is covered with mold, our mold removal guide can help you remove this unwanted mess.

You should always insert cedar shoe trees when storing shoes. Cedar shoe trees help maintain the shape of your shoes and protect the leather from stretching. Cedar shoe trees also absorb moisture and any shoe odors that might be in your shoes.

If you reside in a high-humidity environment, it’s advisable to store your leather boots with cedar shoe chips or silica gel packets. This will help in the absorption of any extra moisture.

You should use a fabric shoe bag if you want to store leather boots for a long time. They have small holes on the side and bottom for good airflow. You can check out our guide for more tips on how to store leather shoes for a long time.

Give Your Shoes a Break in Between Wearing Them

The easiest way to prevent your leather boots from cracking is to avoid wearing them too much. Wearing shoes constantly can cause the leather to wear out faster. Over time, this causes the leather to crack and peel.

Therefore, rotate your leather boots so that you don’t wear the same pair all the time. This way, they’ll have ample time to rest, and the shoes will be able to air out and dry. It’s best to give your shoes a day off before putting them back on.

Frequently wearing the same pair of shoes is a leading cause of shoe odor. Check out our guide to prevent shoes from smelling.

The Bottom Line

Protecting leather boots from cracking is essential to preserving their longevity. Taking care of shoes is not difficult and does not take much time. Follow these instructions to achieve the best results.

Make sure your shoes are dry and stored correctly to prevent the leather from cracking. Always carry an extra pair of socks if you sweat a lot. Silica gel packets are essential if you live in a high-humidity environment.

When rotating between pairs, give each pair a rest before wearing it again. Cleaning and conditioning leather boots are paramount to keeping them from cracking. Furthermore, wearing leather boots with shoehorns will prevent the stretching of the material over time.

We hope this article has given you some helpful insight into protecting leather shoes from cracking and the best ways to do so.