How to Repair Your Cowboy Boots

New boots or your old, worn, but favorite cowboy boots that fit your feet like a second glove—all face the same chance of accidents. A scrape in the leather, scuffs from working in the barn, or simple everyday wear and tear.

While Western boots are designed to be rugged and durable, not even the best boots look like new forever. Cowboy boots are constantly exposed to the weather, rough surfaces, and rugged landscapes. There is no doubt they get a little damaged after time and exposure to such extremes. Keep your favorite cowboy boots at the top of their game with these small repairs you can do to help them last.

Check Your Boots for Wear

The first step in being able to repair the minor things your boots encounter in day-to-day wear is to keep an eye on them. Take a moment at the end of the day or in the morning when you first put your boots on to give them a look over. This is an easy way to spot any small issues that may grow into larger ones if missed. Ignoring a minor problem can end up becoming a quite costly cowboy boot repair or worse: needing to buy an entirely new set of boots.

Keep Your Boots Clean

Keeping your boots clean and conditioned is a top priority for leather cowboy boots. Dirty or dry leather can lead to damage and cracking. It's important to clean your boots regularly to remove grime, dirt, and debris—and especially before you begin any small repairs.

Repair Cracks in the Sole

Small cracks in the sole of your cowboy boot can be repaired and reinforced with adhesives specially created for footwear. Many contact adhesives act as a sealant that seeps into the cracks in the sole to coat as well as protect, helping to prevent further cracking. While this repair keeps the soles of your cowboy boots intact and helps improve water resistance, this fix is not permanent. You may extend the life of your boots by a few months or a year, but if the repair fails you may need to have a professional resole your cowboy boots.

Buff Light Scratches From Leather

Most cowboy boots are made of real leather, and many minor scratches can be repaired. Deeper scratches are more difficult to repair, but you should have excellent luck with lighter scuffs and scapes. To remove scuffs from leather cowboy boots:

• Dab a small amount of plant-based oil like sunflower, castor, or olive oil on an undyed, soft cloth. Rub gently until the oil soaks into the leather.
• With another undyed, soft cloth, gently buff the leather in small circles. Try to buff in the direction of any raised edges if possible, not against them. This should make any small scratches or scrapes far less visible.

Fix Light Scratches in Suede

Suede is beautiful and soft, but bad weather and dampness can spell disaster for your suede cowboy boots. Suede is one of the fabrics that easily shows imperfections. To prevent or repair scuffs or scratches, try these suede boot care tips.

• Pre-treat your boots. The first line of defense for suede is a sealant to help stave off the worst of these issues. When you pre-treat your suede cowboy boots, they’ll be easier to clean and will resist damage.
• Brush after wear. Using a dry buff brush after wearing suede cowboy boots is the key to keeping your suede boots shiny and spot-free. If you don't have a buff brush, a clean, nylon toothbrush works well, too. Short, gentle strokes will dislodge loose dirt, lint, or pet hair.
• Remove scuffs. Scuffs can be removed with an eraser. Yes, you read that right! A pencil eraser in a pinch will do or a suede eraser specifically made for this task. Just gently rub the eraser back and forth until the scuff lifts, then brush away any shavings.
• Fix water damage. Water or liquid spills can be taken care of with talcum powder or cornmeal. Pat the area gently dry with a clean cloth or towel first, then sprinkle a layer of cornmeal or talcum and let it sit overnight, then brush the suede the following day to remove the dried powder.

Repair Small Holes or Cracks in the Leather

Cowboy boots can become too dry and crack when exposed to the elements. This is common if you spend a lot of time on your feet and put pressure on your boots—which cowboys do! These cracks can sometimes turn into holes. If you've started to notice small holes appearing in your boots, they can be fixed before they become a greater problem.

• Start off by cleaning the small hole in your boot using a cotton ball or q-tip to apply plain rubbing alcohol. This helps remove dirt and impurities that can prevent the adhesive from sticking properly.
• Wait for the alcohol to dry completely and apply a little bit of your favorite waterproof footwear sealant.
• If you're worried about sealant leaking into your boot, go ahead and add a piece of duct tape to the inside of the boot opposite the hole to keep the inside of your boot safe.
• Allow the sealant to dry completely, which may take up to 24 hours.

How to Reattach the Sole of Your Boot

When the sole of your boot begins to peel away from your boot, you’ll need to see a bootmaker or cobbler for a professional repair. However, if you can't get to one straight away there are a few things you can do to temporarily repair the soles of your beloved cowboy boots—until you get a professional repair job.

• Thoroughly clean the sole and the boot itself. Make sure both are dry and as debris-free as you can.
• Using your preferred shoe or boot adhesive, apply it to the area where the sole has separated.
• Move the sole and boot together carefully.
• Hold it in place to allow the sole and boot to bond.
• To lock it in place, apply pressure to the top of the boot or gently tie in place.
• Let your boot sit for up to 72 hours to dry completely.
• Once the glue is dry, you should be able to wear your cowboy boots until visiting a cobbler.

When it comes to small repairs, these tricks and tips will help you a little money and extend the life of your favorite cowboy boots. When it’s time for a new pair, explore our footwear collection to find a replacement pair you’ll love just as much as your old favorites.