Originally Posted by
Norman213
Your soccer boots are without doubt, the most important piece of equipment for all soccer players. Therefore, in order to get the most from your boots and ensure they are kept in the best condition, there are a number of steps you must take.
Breaking Them In
Like any new pair of shoes, soccer boots need to be broken in and molded to your foot. The best way to do this is to put them on the minute you have bought them and lace them up as if you were about to run onto the pitch for a game; this means have your soccer socks on as they are thicker than average socks and will be the socks you will be wearing with your boots.
With the boots on, dip your feet into a tub of warm weather for 20 minutes. Step out of the tub and let the boots dry, while still wearing them. This will ensure they are molded perfectly around your foot. This is almost similar to how boxers mold their mouth guards. Once the boots have dried off, rub the leather with a small amount of petroleum jelly or leather softener.
Boots made from leather, such as kangaroo leather, mold to the feet better, which makes them extremely comfortable, a better feel of the ball and are longer lasting than synthetic materials. Synthetic materials often don’t let your feet breathe, which means sweat can build up leading to blisters and foot problems in the future.
However, most of the major boot manufacturers now use microfiber technology which allows them to produce high quality synthetic materials that match kangaroo leather.
Bring your boots to practice but don’t use them for the whole training session; wear them for the last half an hour to break them in slowly. At the next training session, wear them for the entire practice and you will see how comfortable and easy they are to play in.
Cleaning Your Boots
Since soccer in played in all sorts of weather and pitch quality can vary drastically from place to place, your boots will definitely be getting dirty. So if you want to keep them looking flashy and clean, especially important for players who wear white or other brightly colored boots, you need to clean them carefully and regularly.
In order to have the best chance of getting your boots spotlessly clean, you need to clean them immediately after practices and games.
First, to remove large lumps of dirt and grass that get stuck around the studs, bang the soles of the boots together. To remove the dirt smeared on the boots use polish or a wet rag. Regular leather cleaning products can be used to preserve the leather. An old toothbrush can be a great way of cleaning dirt in the smallest of spaces and getting the best clean of your boots.
Be sure to never machine wash or dry your boots. The machines will only damage and crack the leather and will cut the lifespan of your boots drastically.
The best way to dry your boots is to fill them with old newspaper and let this absorb the moisture. Leave the boots outside in the sun to dry naturally as this will dry the boots without cracking the leather.
The way you chose to clean your boots is also influenced by the type of material they are made from. For example, a lot of the more expensive boots are made with kangaroo leather and this should be cleaned with warm water and polish. Do not use leather food.
Storing Your Boots
While most people just throw their boots in a closet or have them hanging out loose, the best way to preserve your boots is to store them in a boot bag. All the major boot manufacturers sell boot bags and these help to keep the boots dry and prevent dirt build up.
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