I received the Boot Buddy ‘Shoe & Boot Cleaner Brush’ as a gift a few months back. To be truthful, I had my doubts about its efficiency and (without sounding ungrateful) I questioned whether I’d use it.
Fast forward a few months and I’m using it every Thursday night after rugby training, cleaning my boots ready for a match on the weekend. I’m even using it to clean my walking boots and some old running trainers!
Here, I cover my experience with Boot Buddy, how to use it and what you can expect when using it to scrub your football or rugby boots, work boots, walking shoes or trainers.
My Experience with Boot Buddy
Here’s a video of me using Boot Buddy to clean my rugby boots this season.
As you can see, I set out to use Boot Buddy to clean my dirty rugby boots after a training session in the mud.
I use the hard, V-shaped end to get rid of any dry, stubborn pieces of mud, while the firm brush bristles on the other end remove dirt with ease once it’s filled with soapy water.
My experience of using Boot Buddy has been positive. Despite making a bit of a mess on my outdoor wall and on my old clothes (which I expect as I use it quite carelessly), Boot Buddy helps me keep my rugby boots and walking trainers clean on a weekly basis. Just be sure to dress appropriately and always use it outdoors for max effect!
Basics:
- Cost (RRP): £14.99
- Trustpilot Rating: 3.8/5
- Amazon Rating: 4.5/5
- Where to buy: Amazon, Bootbuddy.com, Sports Direct
- My Rating: 4.5/5
How to Use Boot Buddy
To start with, I simply twist open the cap and add soap or Fairy Liquid and some water from an outdoor tap. Importantly, I then twist the brush-end of the Boot Buddy, which allows the water and soap to flow through the brush bristles for max effect.
Then, I squeeze the base of the Boot Buddy to get the soap and water flowing (you have to give it a good squeeze so don’t skip this step!).
You’re then good to start scrubbing your boots with Boot Buddy, which is oddly satisfying!
It can be a little messy, as the mud, water and soap often flicks around the place and ends up on your clothes and nearby walls – so don’t forget to wear some old clothes and use it outdoors. I definitely don’t recommend indoor use of Boot Buddy.
After scrubbing the first boot or shoe, I then rinse with some water and a flannel, then get started on the next boot.
And that’s it! It’s really as simple as that. Check out my video for an example of just how well this little brush works.
Is Boot Buddy Worth It?
I was as suspicious as anyone when I saw those viral Boot Buddy videos of the incredible before and after examples — they seemed too good to be true, right? But they’re not. I’m glad to say that Boot Buddy is absolutely worth it as a gift or a treat to yourself; I use mine weekly and it really does save time and effort.
And for just £14.99 RRP, you can’t go wrong.
Before and After
Here’s a quick comparison photo showing the difference between my rugby togs pre- and post-cleaning using the Boot Buddy boot cleaner. as you can see, there’s a clear difference and the clean boots on the right hand side are gleaming!
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A Brief History and Dragons’ Den
You may remember Boot Buddy from the hit TV show Dragons’ Den, where Touker Suleyman, Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones famously invested in the idea.
The idea originated when co-creators Arminder and his brother Gurminder were told not to bring dirt into the house from their dirty football boots. The next day, Arminder combined a water bottle, plastic knife and a washing up brush, and Boot Buddy was made! Quite honestly, this concept still lives to this day and the design hasn’t changed much at all — why would it!
Boot Buddy Alternative
For those of you who might not want to pay £20 for a boot cleaning brush, there are alternatives available. But in all honesty, if you’re not happy with Boot Buddy, your best bet is to simply use a DIY version of it. After all, it was invented by an 11 year old, how hard could it be to replicate?!
All you need is water, soap, any sort of firm brush (perhaps the end of an old brush you’d use to clean the kitchen floor!) and a flannel to rinse the excess dirt.
Personally though, I find the Boot Buddy a valuable addition to my growing collection of rugby tools! They’re also a fantastic gift for those who enjoy rugby, football or any outdoor sport, and a gift they’ll actually use!
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