How to Store Shoes and Boots Between Seasons
Most damage to good shoes happens while nobody is wearing them. Boots crushed in the bottom of a wardrobe, sandals sealed in a plastic box growing mould, leather drying out next to a radiator all summer. Here's how to store shoes properly so they're ready to wear when the season turns.
Clean before you store — always
This is the step people skip and regret. Dirt, sweat and especially road salt keep working on leather while it sits. Salt draws moisture out of the leather for months. Clean and dry footwear fully before it goes away — our leather-care guide and salt-stain guide cover both.
Condition, then store
Leather dries out in storage, particularly in heated homes over winter. A light conditioning before storage keeps it supple so it doesn't crack while sitting unused.
Hold the shape
Shoes collapse and crease permanently if stored empty. Use cedar shoe trees where you have them — they hold shape and absorb humidity — or simply stuff with acid-free tissue or newspaper. Tall boots need support at the shaft, or they fold at the ankle and crease along the fold.
Never seal them in plastic
Airtight plastic boxes and bags trap moisture against the leather, which is how mould starts. Leather needs to breathe. Use breathable cotton dust bags or cardboard boxes with some air movement.
Location matters
- Cool, dry and dark. Sunlight fades and dries leather.
- Away from radiators and direct heat — the fastest way to crack stored leather.
- Not in a damp basement, where humidity invites mould.
- Off the floor and not stacked under heavy items that deform them.
Seasonal rotation
Storing sandals for winter and winter boots for summer is the same routine either way: clean, condition, shape, breathe. Our guides to caring for leather sandals and winter boots cover the specifics of each.
Check on them occasionally
A quick look mid-season catches problems early — mould spots, drying leather, hardware tarnishing. Five minutes now saves a pair later.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store leather boots long-term? Clean and condition them, stuff them to hold their shape, and keep them in a breathable dust bag or box somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sun — never sealed plastic.
Can I store shoes in plastic boxes? Airtight plastic traps moisture and can cause mould. If you use boxes, make sure air can circulate and the shoes are fully dry first.
Do I need shoe trees? They help — they hold shape and absorb humidity — but stuffing with acid-free tissue or newspaper works too.
Worth looking after
Browse our handmade leather shoes and boots, made in Estonia to last for years with a little care.