Customer Services

Customer Services

Care and Maintenance

Good footwear deserves good care. A few simple habits after each outing can prolong the life of your AKU boots and help maintain comfort, support and weather protection across UK mud, wet grass, grit, salt and repeated mileage.
 
AKU care and maintenance icon

After-use cleaning (every time)

  • Brush off grit/mud when dry using a soft brush. Pay attention to seams, lace zones and the outsole edge.
  • For stubborn dirt, use a cloth moistened with cold water. Keep pressure gentle around stitched areas.
  • Do not use solvents, aggressive chemical products or very hard brushes. These can damage leathers, fabrics, rubbers and finishes.
  • No washing machine and no pressure washer. High heat and high pressure can damage components and bonding.
 

Drying protocol (always)

  • Dry naturally in a well-ventilated place at room temperature.
  • Remove insoles to help moisture escape and to speed drying.
  • Avoid radiators/direct heat, stoves, hairdryers and direct sunlight. Excess heat can warp materials and reduce component life.
  • If boots are soaked, loosely stuff with paper to help maintain shape and draw out moisture, replacing as needed.

Protection & conditioning (as needed)

  • Leather uppers: regularly apply a specific nourishing and revitalising cream to help keep leather supple.
  • Leather and fabrics: periodically apply a protective spray to support water repellency.
  • Always apply treatments to clean, dry footwear. Test on a small area first.

Note on leathers: Natural leather can show differences in colour, tone and shading. These variations are a typical result of refined dyeing and material character.

 

Storage (between trips)

  • Do not store footwear sealed in plastic bags or airtight containers.
  • Store in a cardboard box or open shelf in a well-ventilated space away from heat sources and sudden temperature changes.
  • Avoid persistently humid locations, which can alter the functional characteristics of leathers, soles and accessory components.
  • For prolonged inactivity, remove internal parts (liners/insoles where applicable).
  • To maintain shape, lightly fill with paper and fasten lacing/hardware to the upper hooks.
 

Video tutorials

Step-by-step guidance for common maintenance tasks.

Cleaning mud & debris (every time)
The goal is simple: remove grit from seams, lace zones and outsole edges to reduce wear and keep materials working as intended.
GORE-TEX: quick checks for waterproof performance
Helpful for separating surface wet-out (DWR needs refreshing) from a genuine leak or seam issue.
Protective spray (leather & fabrics)
Use on clean, dry footwear to support water repellency and slow down surface wet-out in persistent UK damp.
Nourishing cream (natural leathers)
Occasional conditioning helps keep leather supple and reduces the risk of drying/cracking after repeated wet–dry cycles.
Replacing the footbed
A fresh footbed can improve comfort and odour control, and helps drying between wears.
Fast lacing: replacing the lace lock
If hardware is damaged, avoid forcing it — correct replacement preserves secure hold without over-tightening.
Tactical: replacing the lace lock
Straightforward guidance for replacing the locking component used on selected Tactical models.
Adjusting lace hook position
Fine-tune lace routing and tension distribution — useful if you want a more secure heel hold or reduced pressure points.

 

 
AKU reuse and repair icon
 

REPAIR

If there are problems with small parts, stitching, uppers or rubber edges, it does not automatically mean end of life. For UK repairs, we recommend Lancashire Sports Repairs Ltd.

Go to Repairs & Resoling

RESOLING

If the upper is still functional but tread wear is reducing stability and grip, resoling may be appropriate (model-dependent). Check your product specification and use a professional service route for assessment.

Resoling guidance

GOOD PRACTICE

Before retiring boots, consider a second role (gardening, workshop, woodland jobs). When footwear is truly end-of-life, dispose responsibly in line with local guidance.
 

Quick checklist

  • Brush off grit/mud after use.
  • Clean gently with cold or lukewarm water.
  • Dry naturally; remove insoles.
  • Avoid radiators/direct heat.
  • Condition leather when needed.
  • Use protective spray periodically.
  • Store ventilated; avoid airtight bags.
  • Keep shape during storage.