Care instructions shoes

To the washing instructions for hiking boots / winter boots

To the washing instructions for KEEN sandals

The two most important things on a hiking trip? Fun and comfortable shoes! Thank goodness for Lowa hiking shoes and winter shoes in namuk colors! Wearing them, it almost feels like walking up and down a mountain in sneakers – yet feet are perfectly protected from wet and cold!

The upper material, made from premium-quality leather or textile and synthetics, and the GORE-TEX® inner lining, ensure the best climate for feet – even after a sprint to the summit. Our Lowa hiking shoes can master a summer-sunshine hike just as easily as a rain-mud-puddle-jumping hike. And the winter shoes are ideal to accompany little adventurers on every snowy hike to track down the Yeti (hey, has anyone found him yet?). To ensure kids can have fun with their shoes as long as possible, proper care is the alpha and omega. We’ll tell you everything you need to know:

• Don’t put them in the washing machine! 
• Remove the shoelaces and inner soles
• First let shoes air out and get dry in a well-ventilated room 
• Remove dirt and mud from the outer surfaces and soles with a brush 
• Clean them inside and out with lukewarm water (if very dirty, clean with soapy lukewarm water) 
• While drying, avoid heat sources like heaters or direct sunlight
• To keep the outer material dirt- and water-repellent, apply waterproofing products from time to time

• True, GORE-TEX® shoes are always waterproof – however, the outer materials can absorb increasingly more moisture when the waterproofing effect subsides
• Remove shoelaces before waterproofing 
• First remove dirt from shoes with a shoe brush, sponge, or cloth 
• Leather shoes may be slightly damp when spraying them. It helps the waterproofing solution absorb better. 
• Read the instructions for your waterproofing product. It’s important to make sure it’s suitable for the material in your shoes’ uppers! 
• Place in a well-ventilated spot, ideally outside. Hold the can about 30-50 centimeters (approx. 10-20 inches) away (check the spray manufacturers’ instructions) and spray all over the shoe
• Distribute and wipe any excess waterproofing spray into the shoes with a clean cloth
• The time needed to become effective depends on the upper material and the brand of waterproofing product. You should let leather rest for 24 hours before wearing. 
• Suede should be “re-fluffed” a bit with a special brush as a final step

Your family could happily hike every day and you’ve opted for hiking shoes or winter shoes with leather uppers (the model Kody or Couloir)? Then it’s especially important to care for your shoes regularly – especially when they’re worn frequently, maybe even in wet conditions. Otherwise, the leather can dry out and lose its suppleness. Here’s how to do it:

• First remove the shoelaces 
• Clean off the shoes with a shoe brush, sponge or cloth 
• Let shoes dry thoroughly so that no moisture gets sealed into the leather and the wax can be absorbed evenly 
• With a soft brush, rub in a wax cream or wax emulsion that’s made for leather
• Do not apply any pure oils or fats: though they make leather very soft and almost waterproof, the pores of the leather get sealed and shoes lose their stability and breathability
• Before a hiking trip, you should waterproof your shoes again

Pro tip: The surface of leather will be smoother, shinier, and also darker when the wax is applied. For our shoes made with suede (Kody, Couloir), you can “re-fluff” the surface with a special brush for suede, but note that the original look will be affected a little.

NO, absolutely not! Lowa shoes cannot be machine washed! The mechanical effect during the wash cycle and high water temperatures can result in washing out the color pigment, damaging the upper material, and dissolving the adhesion. Your Lowa shoes can become irreparably damaged in the washing machine.

Our namuk x Keen sandals are the perfect sidekick for absolutely every summer day. Your kids can hike, play, climb, and even walk in water with these shoes. The thin sole gives kids an almost barefoot feeling, while the toe protection keeps their little tootsies safe from sharp rocks and other hazards along the path. 

Because you can do (almost) anything with our Keen sandals, we’ve fitted them with an upper material made of washable polyester webbing upper. They won’t even hold a whirl in the washing machine against you – as long as you follow a few important rules!

• First, remove as much dirt as possible with a cloth or soft brush
• Stubborn stains can be scrubbed with an old toothbrush
• Use only a very little bit of mild detergent
• Choose the delicates cycle of your washing machine, with a minimal spin cycle
• Set the temperature to cool or cold (max. 30° Celsius) so the colors won’t fade
• A couple of towels or sweatshirts in the machine can cushion the sandals during the spin cycle
• To wash by hand: Use the NikWax Base Wash. This detergent is developed especially for outdoor gear, protects the synthetic materials, and gets rid of unpleasant odors

Pro tip: When your sandals are clean and dry, rub a bit of tea tree oil into the upper lining and footbed. That helps prevent unpleasant odors and also has an antibacterial effect.

• Air dry your sandals
• Avoid direct sun and don’t place them near the heater 
• Don’t put them in the dryer

• Snow jackets and snow pants
• Rain clothing
• Fleece clothing
• Merino wool
• PrimaLoft jackets und vests
• Gloves and mittens