IMPORTANT: when using products other than the Hydrobloc® Zamberlan® treatment, it is important to remember that such products must meet the requirements imposed by GORE-TEX. In fact, silicone-based or similar treatments cannot be used as they may clog the pores of the membrane, which will impair its breathability and will also invalidate your GORE-TEX warranty. The anatomic footbeds supplied with your footwear should be regularly cleaned, and replaced with genuine Zamberlan® footbeds every six months or at least once a year. A further possibility is that mountain boots are made with a leather lining. In this case (fig.6) it is advisable to clean the lining with a damp cloth, let it dry and then apply a light layer of Hydrobloc® Cream or Spray which nourishes the leather keeping it soft and supple. Use the boots only after letting them rest for a few hours. FOR FULL GRAIN LEATHER UPPER): apply Zamberlan® Hydrobloc® Conditioning Cream to the cleaned and dried upper using a soft brush to work the cream into the leather. Let the shoes rest for a few hours, then polish them.

They offer superb comfort, but these linings must be treated at regular intervals to maintain their characteristics, as the acidity of perspiration may damage or alter them. 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 Hydrobloc® Proofing Cream or Hydrobloc® Conditioning Spray, which will nourish the leather, keeping it soft and supple. Footbeds: the insoles should be cleaned regularly and, according to regular use of footwear, it would be advisable to change them once every 6 months or at least once a year. Zamberlan® offers different types of replacement according to your needs.​​​​​​ It is possible to use laces that are not produced by Zamberlan as long as they meet GORE-TEXrequirements to guarantee waterproofness. It is a sensible precaution to carry a spare set at all times, especially when walking in remote areas.

Other useful tips for the maintenance of mountain boots

FOR FOOTWEAR WITH LEATHER LININGS): clean with a warm, damp cloth and allow to thoroughly dry before applying a thin coat of Hydrobloc® Proofing Cream or Hydrobloc® Conditioning Spray. This will maintain the leather lining soft and supple. Leave to dry for a few hours before using the footwear again. Laces will normally offer a fairly long service life, but may deteriorate and break over time and for this reason they should be inspected regularly. If it is in full grain leather (fig.5A-1 and Fig. 5A-2) then it is advisable to apply the Zamberlan® Hydrobloc® Cream directly on the surface of the shoe, which must be clean and dry, and distribute it on the surface with help from a soft brush. It is essential to use technical products for the maintenance of mountain boots because oils and natural fats nourish the leather well, but if overused they could make the upper too soft and deformable and these shoes must also remain very resistant. Finally, before using them again, it is good to let them rest for a few hours to allow for proper absorption of the products used and then they can be polished. Synthetic inner lining: it doesn't require any special attention; simply use a warm, damp cloth after every use, wash and leave out to dry.

The correct care of your footwear depends on the materials used to manufacture it; the main purpose of any treatment is to “nourish the leather” and enhance its water-proofing characteristics. The frequency, instead, depends on the condition and frequency of use of the footwear. We recommend lighter and more frequent applications rather than occasional and abundant. Moreover, we recommend treating your footwear before putting it away for long periods of time to prevent the leather from drying.Leather lining: these types of linings offer a special comfort, but must be treated regularly to maintain their characteristics. Sweat from the feet can in fact damage or modify the acidity. For this reason, we recommend cleaning the lining with a warm and damp cloth, then letting it dry. Finally apply a thin layer of Hydrobloc® Zamberlan® cream or spray.