How To: Care and Clean Dirt Bike Boots

Cleaning and caring for dirt bike boots should be part of every motocross or enduro rider's routine, as it plays an incredibly important role in extending the durability and lifespan of what is one of the more expensive pieces of protective riding gear.

How do I wash my motocross boots?

We recommend cleaning your boots at the same time as washing your bike, as you'll need to use the same cleaning solvents and washing accessories. You'll also want to clean them as soon as possible after riding, just as you would with your dirt bike.

 

Step 1 - Place boots on boot stand:
When it comes to cleaning off-road motorcycle boots, the first you want to do is place your boots on a washing stand - this will make the job much more efficient and thorough. A boots wash stand isn't a requirement - you can just simply wash them on the ground, although you'll probably find that they'll keep moving around, and the dirt you've just wash off will stick to the other side of the boot. So, a wash stand just makes life easier!

Step 2 - Soap boots:
The next step to boot cleaning is to apply a soapy water mix to your boots - you can use the same bike wash you're using to clean your dirt bike, however ensure to soap doesn't sit on the boots for too long, as the chemicals in the cleaning can potentially start to damage the materials that make up your MX boots. This means moving through these steps without any interruptions. 

Step 3- Scrub boots:
This step is the key part of cleaning your moto boots, and it's scrubbing your boots. With soap applied, use a sponge or a brush (a washing brush will do a better job at removing dirt), and proceed until the bulk of dirt and stains have been removed.

Step 4 - Wash & rinse boots:
In this step, it's time to pull out the pressure cleaner and wash and rinse your boots. it's incredibly important you don't get the nozzle of the pressure washer to close to your boots - the power and pressure of the water can damage some of the more delicate materials on your boots, such as the leather. So keep a moderate distance and spray all sides of the boot, including the sole, until the boot is completely clean. If you don't have a pressure cleaner, using a hose to wash and rinse will do the job.

Step 5 - Drying & water removal:
The final step to washing your dirt bike boots is allowing them to dry and blowing off any excess water with an air compressor. If your boots are on a wash stand, keep them on there for drying. If you have an air compressor, immediately after washing direct the compressed air to the buckles and their pivot points - removing excess water from these parts will prevent corrosion.

Five ways to maintain your dirt bike boots:

1. Regularly wash: The best type of maintenance you can give your dirt bike boots is to clean them after every ride, and doing it as soon as possible. Nothing will extend the life of your boots more than cleaning them regularly.

2. Check the screws: Most boot buckles are held on with screws and they come loose. The leading cause of buckle replacements is not breakage but screws falling out. Keep them tight and consider using some thread locker if they keep coming loose.

3. Treat the leather: Look after the leather by treating it regularly with a leather treatment. These are readily available from most supermarkets or shoe shops. This also helps to keep your boots waterproof.

4. Lubricate buckles: Use a lubricant spray to spray the boot buckles after each ride to disperse water and help prevent them from corroding and seizing. Ensure you wipe away any excess lubricant or overspray so it doesn't impact other materials on the boots.

5. Refurbishing: Fortunately, many dirt bike boot companies now design their boots with replaceable parts, meaning you can give them freshen up and extend their life for a minimal amount of money. Generally speaking, entry-level boots will have minimal to no replacement parts, while mid-range to premium MX boots will have a number of parts that can be replaced. Depending on the brand, you can usually replace parts such as the sole - which is the most common area to wear out - and boot buckles, however brands such as Sidi and their Crossfire boot are designed with many replaceable parts that also extend to some on the structure and protective components of the boot.

Learn more about motocross boots:

The Ultimate Guide to Dirt Bike Boots

The MXstore Boots Buying Guide

Entry-Level Dirt Bike Boot Comparison

Mid-Level Dirt Bike Boot Comparison

Premium Dirt Bike Boot Comparison