Can I salvage old boots or should I get rid of them?

[Moomoomeemee]

I have some leather boots which are from Clark's, so not hugely expensive.

I bought them three and a bit years ago and they've served me well. They are looking really tired, even when I clean and polish them and they look to rough for work really. They have also started to let in water a little bit.

I'm trying to preserve my clothes as long as possible, so wondering if cobblers can make them look better and stop the water getting in... I can't see any obvious holes so think maybe the waterproofing round the stitching connecting the soles on to the upper has gone

*too

I hate waste and am very environmentally conscious so if they are still comfortable I would keep them to wear on dry days
Would be interested hear if there is a way to restore the leather though. I have some shoes in a similar state.

Three and a bit years I'd let them go

3 years is good going for Clarks. I've been disappointed in how quickly they become too shabby for work. You could spend a lot on sealants ,creams and oils and not rehab them enough to justify the costs.

If you go to Justine Leconte's youtube channel,you will find an excellent video on "How to clean shoes...". This has really good practical,economic advice. There are lots of other youtube channels with advice on rehab-ing leather,but honestly, it isn't always worth it.

Take them to your local cobblers and ask him/her. Theyre usually very helpful! Its a shame to chuck out a good pair if theyre comfortable and just need a bit of TLC 👢

Thanks, I love Justine LeConte so will definitely look that up and possibly go to cobblers as well.

I know what people mean re Clark's. I ordered them in the sales and didn't read the reviews till they were on their way and the reviews were SO bad. So I had low expectations, but they have been amazing. I think I got a rogue good pair! They are the only boots I've ever owned which were comfortable from the first time I wore them. I wear them a lot in all seasons so would like to have the exact same pair but new looking so I can keep wearing them for work. Will see what a good clean and a trip to cobblers can do

If I were you I’d save my money and check Vinted etc to see if you can find another pair in your size. You might get lucky!

Yeah, but the boots got terrible reviews and I imagine one of the good ones in the batch being sold on Vinted are going to have been worn to death...

They may actually sell the same pair still in Clark's, so I could try again.