Farming is one of the toughest jobs in the world. It can involve lots of manual labour, working with heavy machinery, dealing with animals, very long hours, and exposure to harsh weather. All of that can take a toll on workers and cause health problems. To minimise this, you need the right gear, including quality wellingtons. You also need to ensure you are looking after it. We want to have a closer look at that here so you know everything you need to do with your boots to get the best from them.

Making them last

Because farming is so intensive, footwear tends to wear out quickly. Poor quality wellies may only last 6 months with heavy daily use. Even the best boots may be worn out after 12-18 months. If you want to make them last, there are a number of things you need to do.

Removal

One of the most important things you need to do is ensure you take your boots off properly. It’s common to see the upper part of the boot detach from the sole. You’re risking this happening every time you remove them if you don’t do it properly. Even if you take care and pull them off gently by hand, you could be asking for trouble. It’s much worse if you stand on the heel of each boot and press down.

The best thing to do, especially for farmers, is to get a boot jack. It holds a boot in place so you simply step in and out without any extra pressure on the wellingtons. It’s a great investment if you will be using it multiple times every day.

Cleaning

You can make boots last longer by being proactive with cleaning. While it might add time to your day and the wellies will likely get dirty again quickly tomorrow, it will help make them last longer. Most importantly, make sure you get rid of mud and muck that could damage the materials. A gentle brush and wipe should be enough in most cases. You can use mild soap and water too if necessary.

There are three things to be very careful with here. Do your boots have zips? If so, never leave them all caked with dirt. Open them, clean carefully with a brush, then zip them back up. It will help you avoid issues like the zips seizing.

Secondly, make sure you take care of the insoles. Farmers often struggle with foot pain, and can even suffer deformities like bunions. Issues can happen because wellingtons lack insoles, they are poor quality, or they have worn away. The best thing to do is invest in quality ones that will support your feet. Then, you need to remember to take care of them, including cleaning and drying them.

Finally, make sure you dry your boots properly. Natural air drying is best. You can stuff them with newspaper if you need to dry the insides. You want to avoid pulling out the moisture too quickly or it can damage the material. So, avoid leaving them close to a fire or radiator, or in direct sun.

Storage

How you store your boots will also have a big impact on how long they last. If you just leave them folded in a pile it can damage them. A boot tree will be a great investment, helping them to retain their shape and protecting the material. Ideally, put it in a cool, dry place. An alternative is to stuff the boots with dry newspaper. Again though, make sure you put them somewhere dry and cool.

Start with great wellingtons

The right gear helps make farming less strenuous and provides important protection. So, it’s a good idea to ensure you are using the right products and taking good care of them. This includes everything from boots to waterproofs, gloves to hats.

If you want to buy great wellingtons, you can shop with JS Hubbuck Ltd. We’re a family business that has been working in the agricultural industry for generations. Therefore, we know what farmers want and need. We do our best to provide it, offering great prices in the process. Even better, we provide advice and make sure you have a great experience every time.

So, contact us today if you need anything.