Hiking Boot Soles: Remove Pebbles and Check the Tread

If pebbles and mud are trapped in hiking-boot outsoles, use REI's original cleaning demonstration and REI/Salomon guidance to brush grooves, dry safely and check for wear.

4 min read2026-10-24

Original REI hiking-boot cleaning video; see the linked REI article for outsole pebble tips.

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OriginalREI original advice on outsole pebbles, rinsing, and drying.REI Expert Advice

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What you need

Hiking boots
Soft shoe brush or unused toothbrush
Fresh water and a small container
Ventilated indoor drying area

How to

1. Before hiking, inspect both outsoles in good light. Look for small stones, packed mud, worn-down lugs and obvious rubber damage.
2. Brush along the tread grooves with a soft brush, dislodging dirt and grit. Avoid gouging rubber with sharp knives or forceful tools.
3. REI advises soaking the outsoles only to loosen stubborn mud before rinsing. Check your boot material first and avoid leaving the whole shoe submerged.
4. Salomon recommends water and a soft wet brush for general dirt and avoiding machine washing. Follow different care rules for leather, suede or other uppers.
5. Allow boots to air-dry at room temperature away from radiators and direct sun. If the insoles are removable and damp, dry them separately before putting them back.
6. Check the clean tread for severe wear, splitting or sole separation. A worn sole cannot regain grip by cleaning alone; consider a qualified repair or replacement.

One more tip

REI's video demonstrates general boot care. Do not gouge rubber with sharp objects or machine-wash and heat-dry boots. Cleaning cannot restore severely worn or damaged tread.

Original REI hiking-boot cleaning video; see the linked REI article for outsole pebble tips.

What you need

How to

One more tip

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