Don’t Take Your Boots Off Yet: Do This First
- Mar 17
- 1 min read
After a long hike, it’s tempting to kick off your boots as soon as possible to finally free your feet.
But taking two minutes before you take them off can make a big difference for your gear.
One simple habit I’ve started following is brushing my hiking boots before removing them. While I’m still wearing them, I use a small brush (one of those kitchen brushes with a long handle and fairly stiff bristles) to knock off mud, gravel, and bits of trail stuck to the soles and fabric. It’s quick, easy, and keeps dirt from spreading everywhere — especially in the car boot or at home.
Once the bigger debris is gone, I give the boots one more quick round with the brush, especially around the sole and stitching where mud tends to collect.
Finally, I place the boots in a simple cardboard box in the car. Those sturdy fruit boxes from Aldi or Lidl work perfectly. The box keeps dirt contained and protects the car from mud and moisture.
If the boots are wet, I insert boot dryers or simply some newspaper, so they can start drying while I’m driving home.
It’s a tiny habit, but it helps to:
keep your car clean
extend the life of your boots
make post-hike cleanup much easier
