How to Care for Courteney Boots: Leather and Suede

Dusty boots are part of a safari. Looking after them starts with knowing which leather and finish you own. A smooth kudu boot and a suede shoe need different treatment, even when both carry the Courteney name.

This guide helps you organise a simple care routine and choose the right questions to ask before applying a product. Keep the care instructions supplied with your own pair.

Identify your leather before you begin

Check the product description, order confirmation or label for the model and leather. Our women's Courteney collection includes Safari boots in brown, tan and two-tone kudu leather. Colour is useful for identifying a pair, but it is not a substitute for knowing its finish.

If you are unsure, send Safari Supplies the model name and a clear photograph. Mention any polish, spray or conditioner already used. That makes a care enquiry much easier to answer than a description such as “brown safari boots”.

Clean smooth leather gently

Courteney recommends wiping away surface dust with a damp cloth before polishing leather footwear. For dirt that needs more attention, its instructions describe a little ordinary washing-up liquid in water, followed by a clean damp wipe. Avoid soaking the boots or putting them in a washing machine.

Let wet boots dry naturally

Shape damp boots with newspaper and leave them somewhere cool, shaded and ventilated. Avoid radiators, fires, tumble dryers and direct sun. Once smooth leather is dry, use the footwear polish recommended for it. Courteney also warns against contact with fuel, oil and solvents.

Keep suede care separate

For its kudu suede footwear, Courteney describes gentle cleaning with lukewarm water, a little washing-up liquid and a soft brush, without saturating the shoe. After natural drying, brushing restores the nap. Read the manufacturer's product-care instructions for your leather before starting, especially for specialist finishes.

Choose a care product for the pair you own

Courteney Boot Food is available from Safari Supplies in a 125 ml tin. Check compatibility with your boots and follow their care instructions. The fact that a treatment is suitable for one leather does not establish that it will preserve another finish in the same way.

When you unpack a new pair, take stock of any included care items before buying extras. The women's Safari listings describe a pouch with polish, a brush and spare laces. Keeping those items together makes them easier to find when the boots need attention.

Prepare before the next trip

Set aside time to inspect your footwear before packing. Look at the laces, stitching and soles, and raise any repair question while there is still time to resolve it. Try the boots with the socks you intend to take; our Courteney Natural socks are one option in the accessories range.

A care routine should fit the actual pair in your cupboard. Start with its materials, use the relevant manufacturer guidance and ask about anything uncertain before treatment.