Summer is gradually fading away.
It’s also time for BEDROCK SANDALS to change with the season. Even though they just released new colors the other day, the season for the Mountain Clog has arrived.
The Mountain Clog, which debuted in 2022, is a sabot-style sandal.
This began when BEDROCK SANDALS moved from the West Coast to inland Montana, and it was created out of their desire to keep wearing sandals even through the cold winter. It’s turned out to be really great.
I’ve even started wearing them year-round instead of sneakers, to the point where I hardly wear sneakers anymore.
I wear my Clogs when I ride and in my daily life. I live in a style of Clogs with socks, all year round.
Why, even though they’re for winter?
The model I wear uses nubuck leather, which is a single piece of genuine leather. Since leather is animal skin, it breathes well—preventing stuffiness—and also provides a baseline level of water resistance.
Because of that, I’ll wear them regardless of the weather as long as it’s not pouring, and I’m personally very satisfied that I can get through the whole year with just this one pair plus wool socks of varying thicknesses.
The combination of genuine leather and wool socks is truly a "natural lifestyle" (whatever that means).
The Carin Evo series is also incredibly comfortable, but because I’m quite prone to losing focus and hitting my toes on things, the fact that these cover the toes is another big plus.
I’ve been wearing them daily, but since I hadn’t performed any maintenance on them in the two years since they were released, the oil on the surface had pretty much dried up, leaving the leather looking a bit parched...
So, today I’d like to introduce how to care for your Mountain Clogs. Maintaining them will help them last longer, and you’ll get to experience the supreme pleasure of "raising" a leather product.
Whether you already own a pair or are thinking about purchasing them, I highly recommend you read this.
Current State
Right now, most of the oil has worn off, and they look like this.
After Maintenance
I’ll show you the "after" result right away. By applying oil, the natural suppleness of the leather has returned!
Moreover, they take on a character different from when they were brand new.
So, here is how to care for them.
What You Need
- Leather wax (wet-proofing wax is best)
- Soft cloth (old t-shirt scraps work fine, or you can even do without one)
- Sturdy cloth (old shirt scraps work fine)
- Shoe brush (if you have one, though it’s optional)
That’s all you need.
* Why "Wet-Proofing" is Best
There are several types of leather care creams, but I recommend those that are "wet-proof" (water-proof) types.
Since the Mountain Clog is an outdoor sandal, this allows you to maintain them without compromising their functionality. Furthermore, wet-proofing waxes don't soften the leather as much, so the shape stays intact.
I don't really recommend creams or waxes like mink oil that make the leather too soft, as there's a risk the sandals will lose their shape.
Maintenance Steps
1. First, remove all the straps and wipe the surface clean with a sturdy cloth.
Think of it as removing any surface dirt.
2. Apply a small amount of wax to a soft cloth and spread it thinly across the upper.
Even though I told you to use a cloth, I’m the type who applies it directly with my fingers. An old mentor who taught me shoe care once said, "The warmth of your fingers helps the wax soak into the leather." Plus, it makes it easier to reach small, detailed areas.
The color will gradually darken. Since I hadn't maintained them for about two years, the leather really soaked up the wax. It was so dry.
Can you tell the difference? The areas where it’s been applied and the untouched parts are clearly visible.
Gently stroke the surface to apply it, and don't worry about unevenness for now.
3. Buff it with a sturdy cloth.
This process is to wipe off excess wax and help it blend in more thoroughly. The more you buff, the more sheen you’ll get, so that’s up to your preference. If you want to keep them looking pristine, you should definitely do this. Personally, I skipped this part because I wanted a wilder look as I "raised" them (and because two years of zero maintenance meant it was impossible to get them perfectly pristine again, haha).
4. Finally, giving them a quick brushing with a shoe brush helps the wax sink in even better and improves the texture, so feel free to do that as well.
The great thing about leather products and natural materials is that they "grow." Even though they come from the same manufacturing process, they develop a unique "face" based on the wearer’s style. It’s what you’d call one-of-a-kind.
When you grow attached to them, it motivates you to keep using them for a long time. I believe that is the greatest "functionality" of these Mountain Clogs.
Admittedly, they are a bit expensive, but if you’re interested, you won't regret giving them a try.