When you’re in the field or back at the base, you will put miles and miles on your military-issued combat boots. Maybe you’re not enlisted and use combat boots for your daily wear or a job that requires sturdy footing. Whatever the case may be, you need to take care of your footwear and keep your boots in as good a condition as possible.

This will help to extend the life of the boot and to keep you on your feet in comfort and style. It’s important that your boots remain effective throughout their lives. That said, here are eight ways to extend the life of your combat boots so that you can get the most out of your tried-and-true footwear.

Clean Your Boots

One of the most important habits you should develop if you own a pair of official military combat boots is to clean them off after each use. Boots experience a lot of wear and tear every time you use them, but they also bring home evidence of your work or the outdoor elements. This can lead to buildup on the boot or even cause rot if there is moisture in the debris that has caked itself onto the leather.

It’s important to perform basic maintenance on your boots. All you need is an old shoe brush or a piece of cloth or fabric to wipe around the toe, heel, sides, and anywhere else you find dirt and debris. This is the most basic level of care but will help your boots dry out and breathe as needed, extending their longevity.

Moisturize Your Boots

There are many oils and creams for leather on the market, but you will need to be certain of which kind you need before you make your purchase. Some are for specific types of leather, like suede, for instance.

Once you find the oil that works for you, you’ll want to follow the directions, but apply it sparingly, as you won’t want to saturate the leather. It’s best to apply oil once per month to keep your boots from cracking and strengthen the leather without softening the material too much.

Watch Out for Salt and Snow

Some of the worst elements for genuine leather are salt and snow. The harsh nature of the snow makes it harmful to leather—after wearing your boots in the snow, you will notice stains on them that resemble circles. These could eat away at your boots slowly and cause dry rot to set in through the harsh cold and wet ice, which freeze and dry the leather further.

Another thing to look out for in winter conditions is salt. Mixed with the ice and snow, salt will soften your leather and break it down very quickly. If there is one thing that can break down most materials, it’s salt.

So when you come inside from the cold and know you’ve come in contact with snow and ice, it’s safe to assume that you’ve also encountered salt. Take a warm, wet rag and wring out most of the water. Then, gently rub the leather to get all the snow and salt off. You may need to do this a few times, but once you have, set your boots aside somewhere that they can breathe. Within an hour or so, they will be good as new.

Maintain Your Heels

Most of the time, the heels of shoes and boots are the most neglected because they tend to be a durable part of the shoe. However, boots are heavy-duty and tend to wear more than the average shoe—the heels can wear down quickly depending on the type of work you use the boots for.

Most of the time, that activity is high-level. The soles of your boots may chip or have holes in them from your stepping on sharp or hardened objects without noticing. You will need to check them regularly. Check once a week to ensure that they aren’t too beat up, if not after every wear.

If your boots look like they have seen better days, then you may need to find a local cobbler who works on boots to replace the soles. A cobbler can give you a new set of soles that will hopefully last just as long or longer than the previous set. That way, you can get the most out of your boots.

Use a Boot Tree

Not everyone is familiar with this item, but there is a tool called a boot tree that you can purchase, which will hold your boots in place. In addition to holding your boots, they help to retain the shape of the boots so that they never slouch and lose their firmness. Your boots will mold to the boot tree as if they are always being worn. This is important if you want to maintain the look of your boots without ripples and creases. It’s something to think about as an option for keeping your boots in their best condition as they age.

Repair Scuffs and Fading

Creams seem to work much better than oils because they don’t have near the amount of moisture but all of the nutrients. Nutrients have been stripped from the leather whenever scuffs and fading are present. Use cream to add a thin layer through multiple applications. It’s almost like moisturizing your own skin, but these creams are more potent than most lotions because they moisturize leather.

Create a Shine Kit

Finally, the single greatest thing you can do to keep your boots in tip-top shape is have a shine kit on standby. There’s a reason that basic training issues a shine kit—because it’s your best friend and one of the best tools you can have for maintaining a pair of boots.

Add a Protective Layer

In the winter, some people add an additional thin rubber sole on top of their existing one to protect their original soles from winter weather, including ice and snow. As we already know, the cold conditions alone make rubber brittle and will cause it to break off.

With this list, you can now go on confidently knowing the eight ways to extend the life of your combat boots so that you can keep them in good condition for years. Leather can last a long time on its own, but if you maintain it, it will last even longer.