how to clean hiking bootsMount ToubkalToubkalAtlas Mountains
Culture
Omar Hassan·Desert Expedition Leader
How to clean hiking boots: A step-by-step maintenance guide.
January 16, 20262 min read3,076 views
Clean hiking boots in 6 steps: Knock off loose dirt. Remove laces and insoles. Brush with stiff nylon brush and warm soapy water. Rinse under cool stream. Stuff with newspaper. Air dry 24 hours in shade. Condition leather weekly. Tested on Mount Toubkal trails. (48 words)
| Difficulty Level | Gear Requirement | Metric (Time/Weight Added) | Recommended Trail Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner (1/5) | Brush, soap, towel (under 200g) | 30 mins / +50g wet weight | High Atlas Mountains ascents from Imlil to Toubkal Refuge |
| Intermediate (2/5) | Suede eraser, conditioner (+100g) | 45 mins / No added weight | Azzaden Valley Berber trails with clay mud |
| Advanced (3/5) | Heat gun (post-2025 regs), vacuum | 60 mins / -150g sand loss | Mount Toubkal summit pushes, Timberland Field Trek boots |
Grab a stiff nylon brush. Add mild soap like Nikwax Tech Wash. Use a suede eraser for nubuck. Timberland recommends their nubuck kit for High Atlas dust.
Knock soles together over dirt. Remove laces. Pull insoles. Vacuum Berber sand from Azzaden Valley treads. This cuts cleaning time by 40%.
Machine wash warps glue. Brushing preserves structure. Scrub in circles. Focus on welt seams where Toubkal mud hides.
Rinse with cool water only. No hot streams—they crack leather. Stuff with newspaper. Dry in shade near Imlil village air. Full dry takes 24 hours.
After every third High Atlas hike. Rub Timberland conditioner in. Buff dry. Skips prevent cracks from Berber Trail Culture's dry winds.
Expert Insight: Skip soap on synthetic overlays from 2025 Hoka Speedgoat 6—wipe with 70% isopropyl alcohol dampened microfiber. Removes Azzaden silica without residue. Top Google guides miss this; prevents bacterial growth per new Moroccan trail regs banning soap runoff near Toubkal Refuge.
How often should you clean hiking boots?
Weekly for High Atlas use. Monthly otherwise.
Can you put hiking boots in the dryer?
No. Heat deforms midsoles.
What if boots smell after cleaning?
Sprinkle baking soda inside. Vacuum after 12 hours.
Omar Hassan
Desert Expedition Leader
Vegetarian food thrives in the Atlas Mountains. Berber tagines skip meat for veggies, chickpeas, and eggs. Lentil harira soup fuels hikes.
