Care and Keeping of Your Frank's Boots

How To Protect Your Investment:

You’ll want to begin breaking them in sooner than later. The quicker you get your boots broken in, the sooner you will begin to receive the benefits that a handmade boot can provide. 

Break In: 

1. You should have a thumb's width between the end of your big toe and the edge of the boot, as the arch settles, your toes will move forward, and the boot will curl up a bit. This extra length is necessary. Have your boots laced tightly, walk around for 5 minutes to relax the foot, then have someone else check where your longest toe ends.

2.  We highly recommend breaking in your boot naturally, meaning: no alcohol and water, no use of oils or leather preservatives. However, if you are experiencing hot spots, here’s what to do on all of our work leathers…Use a 50/50 mixture of alcohol and water (or boot stretch), lace your boots up snugly , spray the boot liberally in any areas that feel snug. Wear them for about 1-3 hours on the first day. If heel slip occurs, tighten laces as needed. Again, do not use any boot grease, leather products or waterproofing during the break in process. We do not recommend the 50/50 alcohol and water on any horsehide or exotic leathers and use sparingly with any dress leathers in an inconspicuous spot first.

3. It’s always best to wear your boots daily, increasing the time by an hour or so each day. You can continue to spritz your boots with the 50/50 mixture if they still feel too snug or if you’re experiencing any hot spots--Do not oversaturate the boots. 

4. Wear your boots every possible moment thereafter, this will help the break in process go faster. After your boots are fully broken in (about 80-100 hours), waterproofing may be applied if you’re going to be in and out of the snow or wet weather conditions. We recommend they be treated with Obenauf’s Leather Care Products, which are available on franksboots.com or call 509.309.2903 

Obenauf's Leather Preservative

Obenauf's Leather Oil

Obenauf's Water Shield

Obenauf's Clean-It

Please Note: When using leather care products, we recommend avoiding the hook and eye area, as this may cause the leather to weaken and may cause them to pull out. 

Frank's Leather Oil Application Tips:

1. We highly recommend NOT applying leather care product if the boot is new and not broken in.
2. If stored in a cool place, bring to room temperature & shake well before applying.
3. Always clean and fully dry leather before applying oil.
4. Recommended for use during drier seasons of summer or in desert climates. However, over application may deteriorate the leather faster than the hot/dry climate. Please find a good balance.
5. For most leather items, one or two applications per year should suffice.
6. Never saturate leather with oil.
7. Absorbs very well! DO NOT apply a second coat unless leather is extremely dry and cracked.
8. Allow up to one hour for absorption, then buff off excess oil with a clean cloth.
9. Can be buffed to shine or polished over.
10. We always recommend avoiding the hook and eye area, as this may cause the leather to weaken in that area and may cause the hooks and eyes to pull out.