How to Care for Your Duckfeet

Duckfeet leathers are reliable, stylish and hard-wearing. But, despite being a tough natural material, they still require a certain level of care to ensure they're with you for the long haul. To get the longest life out your footwear, follow these few care instructions below. 

Keeping them clean:

The first step is the simplest and maybe the most important in caring for your shoes. After a day on the trails, or walking down salty snowy sidewalks, or even a day at the beach, be sure to give your Duckfeet a bit of TLC.

First things first, you'll want to make sure your shoes are free of dust and dirt by giving them a quick clean with a soft brush or cloth. If there are any tougher spots, like mud or salt, use a warm damp cloth. Avoid using a typical dish sponge, as many contain chemicals that can seep into and affect the leather.

Conditioning the leather:

Leather is skin, and skin needs care. We recommend that you apply a thin layer of leather conditioner at regular intervals. About once a month should do the trick, and it's better to use less more often. This will not only help spruce up your Duckfeet, giving them a "just like new" shine, but it also creates a protective barrier against dirt and improves water-resistance. While it's not necessary to apply leather care before your first wear, we do recommend doing so in messier conditions, and to help with the break-in process.

We recommend using Duckfeet leather care. If you'd prefer to use your own leather care, be sure to test a small area before treating the whole shoe. You can also compare its ingredients to those of our leather care. You can find a photo of the ingredients on the product page. Note, we find waxes may dry out the leather over time.

Ensure your Duckfeet are dry, and apply the cream in circular motions onto the leather and seams. Let the shoe cream sit for a few minutes and polish afterwards with a soft cloth.

For full instructions, head over to the Leather Care blog →

Dealing with weather:

All Duckfeet leathers are naturally water-resistant and typically do very well in all types of weather. For messier conditions (mud season, wet snow and salty sidewalks), we find that a regular leather care routine helps to increase water-resistance and keep our Duckfeet in tip-top shape. If you find water stains on your shoes (this may occur after heavy saturation), take a cloth and lightly damp the entire shoe. Let dry completely and then apply leather care. 

Storing your Duckfeet:

Storing your shoes correctly will also ensure your Duckfeet last. Be sure to store your Duckfeet in a dry and airy place, away from sunlight or other harsh lights to avoid color fading. The ideal storage temperature is between 66-76 F.

Treat them well and they will return the favor:

Following these steps will help your Duckfeet stay looking and feeling fresh for years of wear. If done correctly, the leather uppers will last through re-soling, and swapping out your laces after heavy use will give your shoes a new lease of life.

Care for your Duckfeet regularly, and your shoes will thank you.

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