Footwear Accessories

Footwear accessories are the cheap kit that quietly doubles the life of an expensive pair of boots. Gaiters, replacement laces, polish and a bag to keep the muddy pair out of the boot of the car.

Getting the right bits

Full-length gaiters cover from boot to knee and are the ones you want for bog, deep heather and winter snow. Check the underfoot strap and the boot hook are up to the job, because that is the part that fails first. HMTC and ranger green suit cadet, stalking and field use, while plain black keeps things tidy for work.

Laces are worth carrying a spare set of. 180cm suits most six to eight eyelet military and hiking boots, and a round polyester profile runs through eyelets more easily than flat cotton. Snapping a lace on day two of a trip is a miserable way to learn that lesson.

Boot care kits pair a cleaner or conditioner with a brush and cloth, which covers most of what a leather upper needs after a wet weekend. Dry boots slowly and well away from a radiator, then feed the leather while it is still a little warm. A breather boot bag lets damp kit air off instead of going mouldy in the bottom of a cupboard.

Pair these with the boots range, browse the wider footwear category, or pick up a set of merino walking socks while you are here.