Ariat Grasmere care

[Karran]

Hi!

Sorry if this has been done to death. I did try to do a search to see.

I recently won on Ebay a secondhand pair of Grasmeres, super chuffed as I've wanted a pair for ages but never been able to afford new.
These are in almost perfect condition apart from being a teeny bit saggy in the ankle area, I don't plan on having them for general and every day riding wear but more for days when I've gone dog-training and then up to the yard and for country walks.
What's the best way to look after the leather and suede-y type material? Is there anyway to repair the saggy ankle damage or is it now a case of preventing it from getting worse?

 

[Sussexbythesea]

They all sag a bit not much you can do except pull them straight as you do the bottom laces up. When new they come with Ariat boot shapers, I always put them in when not wearing to help keep the shape. I also always use a boot horn to put them on as otherwise my heel catches the lining and pulls it down. I've got the Ariat colour polish and the Ariat leather cream. The leather will crack if you don't keep it supple but the waterproof lining of the boot should still be ok. I also give mine a spray of water repellent too.

I wear mine for riding and yard stuff and I conditioned them a couple of times over the summer when not using to stop them drying out too much. I'm trying to be good and condition them every couple of weeks. My old pair went rock hard when they dried out.

 

[Shay]

I've had my pair of grassmeres for years and they look like new - I love them! (And I definitely wear them - they're not for best or anything. They are out in all weathers foot following a hunt, going to events, pony club stuff - everything.

Always put the boot trees in. Its the only way to stop the ankles sagging. I know that has happened already but it can get so bad the whole boot sort of collapses at the ankle area. I too always use the boot horn - but in my case I thought that was because I am too old now to bend over and put them on any other way!

When they get soaked through dry out carefully and as slowly as you can. I keep the leather with good old fashioned shoe polish done correctly - hard brush on, soft brush off and polish. Probably every couple of weeks or so. That keeps the leather really waterproof and robust. I don't really do anything with the suede bits other than brush the mud off though.