Longevity & Maintenance
Grade-A full-grain cowhide is an organic material that improves with age. With simple, regular care, your Chelc boots will develop a rich patina and serve you faithfully for a decade or more.
Recommended frequency: After every 2–3 wears
Dust, fine sand, and road grit settle into the creases of your boots and act like fine sandpaper, gradually grinding into the leather fiber. Routine brushing takes less than two minutes:
Recommended frequency: Once every 4–6 weeks
Full-grain leather contains natural oils that dry out over time, especially in hot, dry, or air-conditioned environments. Conditioning keeps the leather supple and prevents cracking along natural flex points:
Use a neutral beeswax or lanolin-based leather cream (such as Saphir Médaille d’Or or Venetian Shoe Cream). Avoid silicones and cheap petroleum polishes.
Apply a dime-sized amount with a soft cotton cloth using small circular motions. Let the conditioner absorb for 15 minutes, then buff lightly with a brush for a soft luster.
While our full-grain cowhide and rubber lug outsoles handle rain admirably, thoroughly soaked leather requires gentle drying to prevent stiffness and shrinkage:
Component-specific upkeep
Use a stiff-bristled brush and mild soapy water to remove compacted dirt or pebbles from between the rubber lugs. Rinse with a damp cloth; avoid submerging the leather in water.
Keep side elastic webbing clean with a dry brush. Avoid getting heavy wax or conditioners directly on the elastic fabric, which can degrade the elasticity over time.
Because Chelc boots are built with traditional through-the-sole Blake stitching, they are fully resoleable. After thousands of kilometers when the rubber lugs eventually wear smooth, your local cobbler can easily replace the outsole without compromising the fitted leather uppers.