Boot Care and Reference Guide

Congratulations on purchasing Zamberlan boots! Since 1929 the Zamberlan family business, based in the Italian Dolomites, has been manufacturing performance outdoor footwear of the most exacting quality. This booklet is designed to help guide you in caring for your boots, allowing you to derive maximum long term enjoyment and satisfaction from wearing them.

Maintenance Guide

The correct maintenance regime will optimize the boots’ performance, especially in harsh, wet conditions. All elements of your Zamberlan boots require some care, monitoring and maintenance, but the uppers merit special attention. Leather is used, at least in part, for the uppers of our entire range; correct care of the leather is of critical importance to the long term performance of your boots. If you are in any doubt about how best to care for your Zamberlan footwear please consult your specialist retailer.

Cleaning and Drying

Cleaning

Remove the laces and wash the boots under a cold tap, using a mild soap (not detergent) if you wish, making sure that all debris is removed from the uppers and soles. Rinse the boots well, especially if they have been exposed to peat, as its acidity can be particularly destructive.

Drying

Remove the foot beds (insoles) and leave everything to dry slowly and thoroughly in a cool to warm, well-ventilated area. If the boots are very wet it may be advisable to stuff each boot with newspaper during the drying process, replacing as required. Be sure not to attempt to accelerate the drying process by placing the boots near direct heat sources such as fires, radiators, fan heaters or boilers, as this will cause cracking and/or shrinkage of the leather and may seriously damage the bonding compounds used in the boots’ construction.

Uppers – proofing and conditioning

Appropriate proofing and conditioning varies according to the materials used for the uppers of your boots, but in every case its main function is to feed the leather, helping it to maintain the correct degree of support and suppleness, and maximizing its water resistance. For boots with composite leather/ fabric uppers the treatment will also help to maintain the water resistance and repellency of the fabric sections.

How often treatment will be required depends upon, amongst other things, the terrain and conditions in which the boots are used and the frequency of their use. As a general guide it is better that you proof and condition the boots on the “little and often” principle, rather than applying excess quantities of treatment on an infrequent basis. Before long periods of storage treatment should be applied, as significant drying may occur if left untreated.

Full grain leather

When the uppers are fully dry, apply ZAMBERLAN Hydrobloc® Cream sparingly; use a soft brush to apply the treatment, working it thoroughly into the leather. Leave to cure overnight before use, after which you may wish to buff your boots to a shine, as excess surface proofing will attract particles of grit or sand that can erode the leather when the boot is flexed. We recommend that you test the product on a small area initially, as darkening of the leather may occur after application.

Nubuck leather, Crosta leather, Nubuck leather/fabric, Split leather/ fabric

ZAMBERLAN Hydrobloc® Conditioning Spray should be applied when the boots are dry and clean. Shake the container well and apply 2 coats of conditioner to the whole of the upper (including the fabric sections where present) from a distance of approximately 20 cm, allowing 5 minutes between coats (to let the conditioner soak in). Wipe any excess conditioner from soles and the sole/upper junction, and leave to dry overnight before use. We recommend that you test the product on a small area initially, as darkening of the leather may occur after application.

Linings – care, proofing and conditioning

ZAMBERLAN boots may be lined with Cambrelle®, Alvertex, GORE-TEX®, Hydrobloc Barrier System, Thinsulate®, Leather, or a combination of these. Man made linings these do not require special care; they simply need to be allowed to dry naturally and thoroughly after use, and cleaned with a warm damp cloth from time to time. Leather Linings Leather linings do however need to be regularly cared for to maintain their performance. Whilst offering superb comfort, leather can become damaged, dried and cracked by the acidity of the feet’s perspiration. For this reason you should regularly clean the leather linings with a warm damp cloth, allow to thoroughly dry, and then apply a thin coat of Hydrobloc® Proofing Cream or Hydrobloc“ Conditioning Spray which will feed the leather, keeping it soft and supple.

Soles – inspection and care

The soles do not generally require any special attention, but it is good practice to regularly inspect them for wear and general condition. Pay particular attention to any stones, which might have become lodged in the sole, removing them carefully prior to subsequent use. Failure to do so may result in damage to the sole unit. Check the depth of tread from time to time, as a significantly worn sole may compromise security and safety. Most ZAMBERLAN boots can be resoled by specialist repairers, please contact your specialist retailer for advice regarding approved resoling companies. Laces and foot beds – inspection, care and replacement Laces will normally offer a fairly long service life, but cannot be expected to last indefinitely. Check regularly for signs of wear, replacing with genuine ZAMBERLAN laces as and when necessary. It is a sensible precaution to carry a spare set at all times, especially if walking in remote areas. The anatomic foot beds supplied with your boots should be regularly cleaned, and replaced from time to time with genuine ZAMBERLAN foot beds. If you use your boots regularly you should consider replacement every six to twelve months.