Leather care - Keep your equipment in perfect condition!

Leather care – How to keep your equipment looking new

Whether riding boots, saddles, or bridles – well-cared-for leather not only looks better, but also lasts significantly longer. Anyone who regularly invests in high-quality equipment shouldn't compromise on care either. In this blog post, you'll learn why leather requires special care, how to keep your equipment in top shape in just a few steps – and which equiXTREME products will make your job easier.

What is so special about leather?

Leather is a natural material with many excellent properties: It is elastic, breathable, tear-resistant and, if processed correctly, adapts perfectly to its area of ​​use – e.g. B. as a saddle that fits perfectly to the horse's back and the rider. At the same time, leather is also sensitive to external influences such as moisture , heat , sweat , dirt or UV radiation.

Unlike synthetic materials, leather has no artificial protective layer—it's essentially "alive." This also means it requires regular care to remain supple and functional over time. Without proper care, it will become dry, hard, cracked—or, in the worst case, moldy.

Especially in equestrian sports, leather is subject to particular stress from stable dust, mud, rain, and friction. Therefore, regular and, above all, material-appropriate care is absolutely crucial.

The basics of leather care – step by step

1. Cleaning – The first (and most important) step

Before you can care for your leather, it must first be clean. Coarse dirt, sweat, or grease residue can clog the pores and prevent the care products from penetrating the material.
Tip: Use equiXTREME Leather Cleaner or Boot Cleaner to gently but thoroughly clean your leather. They remove dirt thoroughly without drying out or damaging the material.

2. Care – For suppleness and protection

Clean leather needs moisture and nutrients to remain elastic and not become brittle.
For bridles, saddles, and boots, we recommend equiXTREME Leather Balm or Leather Conditioner . They provide the necessary re-greasing, protect against environmental influences, and restore the leather's beautiful shine – without any artificial appearance.

3. Special care for your riding boots

Riding boots, in particular, are often exposed to daily wear and tear—dirt, friction, and changing weather. Therefore, extra care is worthwhile.
The equiXTREME boot balm brings the boots back to their high shine, while the boot care keeps the material soft and durable.

How often should I care for my leather goods?

It all depends on the usage. Rule of thumb:

• Daily use (e.g. B. Boots): Clean and care weekly .
• Saddle & bridle : At least every two weeks – more often if used intensively.
• Storage : Even when equipment is not in use, it still needs care – e.g. B. during season changes or longer tournament breaks.

What you should pay attention to when caring for leather:

• Only use products specifically designed for leather – household remedies or greasy creams can damage the material.
• Only care for clean and dry leather – otherwise you will “seal” the dirt.
• Don't over-condition! Too much product can clog the leather's pores.
• Store your equipment in a well-ventilated, dry place , preferably not directly on heaters or in stuffy lockers.
• Leather loves consistent care – not just when it starts to crack or squeak.

Our product recommendations at a glance:

Cleaning:

• equiXTREME Leather Cleaner – for saddles, bridles, etc.
• equiXTREME boot cleaner – especially for your riding boots

Care:

• equiXTREME Leather Balm – deeply effective and protective
• equiXTREME leather conditioner – for a smooth shine

Boot care:

• equiXTREME Boot Care – Protection & Nutrients in one
• equiXTREME Boot Balm – Shine and moisture for your footwear

Conclusion:

Leather care is more than just aesthetics—it's about preserving value, functionality, and a sign of respect for your equestrian equipment. With the right products and a little practice, your leather goods will stay supple, durable, and simply beautiful.

Want to get started right away? You can find all the right care products in our Leather Care section .