authentic narrations state that he pbuh wiped over his leather footwear while at home and travelling. he specified a limit of one day and night for residents to wipe over them, and three days and nights for travellers.
he pbuh used to wipe over the upper part of the shoes or stockings. (he also wiped over the turban alone or along with the forehead.)
he pbuh acted according to the condition of his feet: if he was wearing shoes or stockings he wiped over them, and if his feet were bare he washed them.