We’ve all done it. You’ve had a long, tough day in the hills where the conditions have been wetter, windier and muddier than you perhaps would’ve liked. You’ve had as much fun as ever, but now you’ve got a cup of tea and a comfy sofa on the mind. So you leave all your kit with the promise of cleaning it later.
But of course, you end up forgetting about it all, and then the next time you decide to head out you have to chisel through a sarcophagus of mud to get to your boots.
“You leave all your kit with the promise of cleaning it later, but of course, you end up forgetting”
It’s inconvenient and it’s not aesthetically pleasing either, but that’s just the start of it. Take your chances and there are far more annoying problems that can occur when mud is left on.
It Damages Leather
Leather needs a bit of moisture in it otherwise it can disfigure or even crack. This, coupled with the sponge-like properties of mud when it eventually begins to dry, can lead to big problems for your walking boots. Leave a pair muddy for too long and the leather can dry out to such an extent that the seams and even the waterproof lining can become damaged beyond repair.
