Deerskin is a great choice for boots because it’s beautiful, soft yet durable, and breaks in quickly. It’s also breathable, making it really shine as a summer boot.
As a softer leather, deerskin will pick up scuffs a little easier than other skins. It’s still durable, but maybe don’t take your new deerskin boots to the construction site or other rough-and-tumble locales.
We recommend conditioning your Alvies deerskin boots 1–2 times a year to keep the leather tip top. You should also condition any time the leather gets soaked with water. Here’s how:
Start by removing surface dirt and dust with a horsehair brush, then use a damp cotton cloth to remove anything caked on. For heavier dirt, you can also use light soap.
While your deerskin boots are still damp, use a soft rag to apply a light coat of quality leather conditioner (we love Bickmore Bick 4) all over the outside of your boot. Use light coats so you don’t clog the leather or cracks.
If you’ve got a hot date or just prefer a shiny boot, polish with a matching color or neutral crème. Apply in circular motions until you see a shiny haze on the boot — do this until the entire boot has been coated. Let the polish dry, then brush off with a soft cloth.
For water protection, add a light coat of non-silicone stain and water protector with a soft cloth.
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