Quick Answer

Clean Gore-Tex hiking shoes with mild soap, cool water, and a soft brush—never bleach or fabric softener. Air dry away from heat to protect the membrane.

Why Gore-Tex Needs Special Care

Gore-Tex membranes are waterproof yet breathable, but they can clog with dirt, oils, and detergents. Harsh cleaners or high heat can delaminate the membrane, ruining its performance. Gentle cleaning preserves both waterproofing and breathability.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

  1. 1. Remove loose dirt: Tap shoes together or use a soft brush to knock off mud and debris. Remove laces and insoles. Skipping this step can grind grit into the membrane during washing.
  2. 2. Prepare mild soap solution: Mix a small amount of gentle soap (like Nikwax Tech Wash or plain dish soap) with cool water. Never use bleach, fabric softener, or strong detergents. Harsh chemicals break down the Gore-Tex membrane's waterproof coating.
  3. 3. Hand wash gently: Dip a soft cloth or brush into the soapy water and gently scrub the uppers, focusing on stained areas. Avoid soaking the interior. Machine washing can twist and damage the membrane; hand washing is safer.
  4. 4. Rinse thoroughly: Use cool running water to remove all soap residue from the exterior and interior. Soap left inside can cause irritation and reduce breathability. Incomplete rinsing leaves residue that attracts more dirt.
  5. 5. Air dry away from heat: Stuff shoes with newspaper or a dry towel to absorb moisture. Let them dry at room temperature, out of direct sunlight and away from radiators or hair dryers. Heat can delaminate the Gore-Tex membrane—never speed-dry with heat.
  6. 6. Restore water repellency (if needed): Once dry, apply a spray-on DWR (durable water repellent) to the upper fabric to help water bead off. Avoid getting it on the membrane itself. DWR wears off over time; reapplying it keeps the outer fabric from wetting out.

Products That Benefit From This Care

  • FREE BLAST PRO GTX - Orange: The Free Blast Pro GTX uses a GORE-TEX® membrane and colorful suede uppers. Suede requires a soft brush and no harsh scrubbing to avoid damaging both the leather and the membrane.

    FREE BLAST PRO GTX - Orange

    FREE BLAST PRO GTX - Orange

  • EXOTRAIL GTX - Black/Orange: The ExoTrail GTX has a breathable mesh upper fused to a GORE-TEX® membrane. Mesh dries faster than leather but still needs gentle cleaning to prevent membrane clogging from embedded dirt.

    EXOTRAIL GTX - Black/Orange

    EXOTRAIL GTX - Black/Orange