MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES FOR HIKING SHOES
• We recommend care in choosing the correct model for the intended use.
• Please select the correct size by following these simple instructions:
1. Try the shoes on with a pair of socks that are specifically suited to the intended use.
2. Lace up and tie the shoes properly and walk around inside the shop to make sure there are no spots of excessive pressure or tightness. The tips of your toes SHOULD NOT be touching the end of the shoe, and should be able to move freely. This is to ensure that your toes will not be jammed up against the front of the shoe when going downhill. A correct fit will also keep your feet from moving around too much, protecting your heels from the formation of annoying blisters. Moreover, a correct fit will avoid premature damage to the inner lining of the shoe.
3. You should take your time and choose the correct shoes by "thinking with your feet".
• After every hike, we recommend taking out the insoles and turning the shoes upside down to shake out any foreign objects that may have gotten in during use. This is especially important for footwear with a Gore-Tex® lining, to ensure a long product life and maintain water-repellent characteristics.
• Allow the shoes to dry out in a well-ventilated environment, at room temperature, away from any heat sources above 30° C and out of direct sunlight.
• If necessary, clean the uppers with a nylon-bristled brush once the shoes are dry. If the shoes need to be washed, use water and a neutral soap if necessary. Do not stuff the shoes with paper; instead, allow them to dry at room temperature, as described above.
• If the model comes with liners, take them out and remove the insoles, allowing them to dry at room temperature.
• For footwear with uppers made of full-grain or fat-liquored split leather or suede, we recommend periodically applying a specific spray or cream product such as Nikwax. This will help the leather stay soft, preventing it from becoming stiff or brittle from sudden contact with heat sources or long periods in a damp environment. This way, the uppers will stay soft and flexible, and the sole will not detach from the uppers as can happen if they become particularly stiff.
• If the shoes are not going to be used for a long time, do not store them in plastic bags or in damp places such as cellars or unventilated rooms. This is particularly important for models with a polyurethane foam midsole. If you follow these simple instructions, these models will last for years.
HINTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HUNTING FOOTWEAR
Due to the nature of the sport, hunters must hike through every type of terrain in all kinds of conditions and situations rather than following marked trails, so we recommend meticulously following these recommendations:
After each use, take out the insoles and allow the footwear to dry out in a well-ventilated environment, AWAY FROM ANY DIRECT HEAT SOURCES ABOVE 30° C. If there are any fan heaters or warm air convectors in your home, put the shoes close to them. Once your shoes are dry, put a hand inside to check that no earth or dirt has been left in them, particularly for footwear with a Gore-Tex® lining. This will help ensure a long product life for waterproof, breathable footwear. To reinforce the water-repellent characteristics, we recommend using the special sprays available at sporting goods shops recommended by Gore. Moreover, for fat-liquored full-grain leather and nubuck, we recommend applying a specific wax such as Nikwax, at least once every 15 days. This will help your shoes STAY SOFT and keep the soles from detaching from the uppers, which can be an unfortunate result of excessive stiffness. |