I’m sure this must have been covered before, but my internet searching skills are failing me…
I recently started keeping my tall boots (and paddock boots) in my truck on the days I go to the barn before or after work. Now that we’re getting into summer, it occurred to me that this might not be a good thing. Will this damage my boots over time? Or no harm done if I do this a couple days a week?
I do not do it once summer hits in Texas. I personally would not want to risk the damage it could inflict on the leather by being in such high heat. Just my thought though!
I’ve kept my paddock boots in car year round, gets to about 30C/90F here regularly in the summer. I feel like water damages them more than heat, but I don’t know if they would have held up longer if I wasn’t doing this (or if I was good about cleaning/oiling them, because I basically never did). These were 8-9 year old Blundstones, if that makes a difference; previously I had several pairs of Ariats that I did not keep in car (stayed in barn locker), that tended to last 4-5 years.
The main issue I had is that they can make car smelly, even in the trunk. It was better when I took them out at least once a week to air out and would not leave them in car if they were wet – they go out in the sun to dry. Don’t know about tall boots, but they have stayed in tack trunk in the same heat, though not daily/all summer. Humidity may be more of an issue than heat also?
I keep mine in the car all the time (summer/winter) in a padded boot bag and I’ve never had any issues with it. But maybe I’ve just been lucky, I’ve never considered that the summer heat would hurt them lol.
Mine (Ariat heritage tall boots) are also in my car in a padded boot bag most of the time, and it doesn’t seem to cause any damage.
Mine have lived in the trailer for entire summers, only worn at shows and stored in a padded boot bag. No obvious problems.
If they are exposed to direct sunlight in your car you could get fading/discoloration of the leather. But if you have them in a boot bag or otherwise covered, probably fine.
Thanks everyone!
I don’t think it is a problem. I have had to store my boots all day in my car for years, since I usually ride after work.
Most of the time, I have had a garage space, but there were some years where I was parked outdoors in the heat and humidity of the tropical south.
Definitely do not store your helmet in a hot car though, as it will be damaged.
Yes, the helmet is the thing to worry about.
I did not even think about this. Always learning something on COTH…and finding something else to purchase…
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