Hell Bent for Leather (Waterproofing Your Boots)

[chasea]

My turn to axe a question.

I've got some Redwing 1907s I want to winterize. I had an old italian tube of somethin'-or-other that I got with my Scarpas, but its run off somewhere. What are you woodsmen (urban or authentic) using on your boots? Nikwax? Something else?

I wouldn't mind the color getting a little richer, but don't want to go too dark. Whatever I try will be tested on the inside ankle of the boot first.

Thanks in advance,

C

[Too Tall]

My turn to axe a question.

I've got some Redwing 1907s I want to winterize. I had an old italian tube of somethin'-or-other that I got with my Scarpas, but its run off somewhere. What are you woodsmen (urban or authentic) using on your boots? Nikwax? Something else?

I wouldn't mind the color getting a little richer, but don't want to go too dark. Whatever I try will be tested on the inside ankle of the boot first.

Thanks in advance,

C

I've used the nikwax sprays and they work pretty good but seems to go away. Honestly, I'm back to old school. Mink oil, melt in wax on the welt seams etc.

[Peter Polack]

I was told by a chemical engineer that mink oil is not good for leather; it actually breaks down the leather. The way he explained it was, in some cases soft leather is not a good thing, such as when you need support. It's just that soft leather impresses people.

I use Sno-Seal in a jar. Apply it by hand. Contains beeswax.

[TACSTS]

+1 for Sno-Seal. Get the jar, apply a good coat and use a hot hairdryer or heat gun to get it to soak in. A autumn tradition passed down from my dad.

[maunahaole]

Ray of Handlebra fame turned me on to Obenauf's. Smells like beeswax. https://www.obenaufs.com/index.php?r...&product_id=30

An old trick I used to get treatment into leather was to put the item into a warm (NOT HOT) oven for a bit and then apply the stuff. It melts right in. Start on the seams, you want the most penetration there.

[sonny]

I've used the nikwax sprays and they work pretty good but seems to go away.

Sno-Seal or Obenauf's are both good choices

I've used the nikwax products extensively, but especially on well-worn leather it just doesn't cut it--you'll have to reapply it more than often.
Wax products are the only way to go for broken in boots; not particularly breathable, but how much can leather "breathe" anyways..?


ditch the oil atmo

[chasea]

...not particularly breathable, but how much can leather "breathe" anyways..?

Let's hope that its somewhat breathable.


Thanks for the suggestions. I've got a project for this week.

[Too Tall]

I was told by a chemical engineer that mink oil is not good for leather; it actually breaks down the leather. The way he explained it was, in some cases soft leather is not a good thing, such as when you need support. It's just that soft leather impresses people.

I use Sno-Seal in a jar. Apply it by hand. Contains beeswax.

Tell that to my 20+ yr. old Merrill boots ;) Snow seal, thanks thats the wax I could not remember. Great stuff.

[Chance Legstrong]

Mink oil is the only thing i have ever used

[Chad]

Local shoe/boot repair lady told me the same thing about Mink Oil.

I use Danner boot creme or Saddle Butter (my first choice, couldn't find, now using a similar saddle/leather conditioner works very well). Saddle Butter works wonders on your ball glove as well.

[drewgh2o]

Word on the street is that wax based treatments don't breathe as well as sillycone but they sure last alot longer. I'm using the LL Bean brand treatment (wax and oils) which is VERY waterproof and soaks in like gangbusters with a heatgun. Used it on some RW Iron Rangers for break-in and initial weatherproofing. Softened those bitches right up! Now I'm getting a nice pantleg patina (tm). Get a jar of something NEW, and push it in with some HEAT.

[caleb]

I used to mix beeswax from our hives 50/50 with rendered bear tallow I got from a friend. It worked really well. I haven't had access to bear fat in a few years, so now I use a commercial product called Huberd's Shoe Grease - it's what my shoe guy recommends.

Red Wing 877s before



and after



I just slather it on thick since I'm not concerned with how these boots look, but I'm sure you could make it look better by using a little less grease and a little more care.

[xjoex]

Sno Seal is where it is at. Easy to apply, you just heat the boot with a hair dryer and rub it in.

Before and After.


Before


During


Moments later


Call me a fan.


-Joe

Steps http://robonza.blogspot.com/2010/01/...al-is-jam.html

[nahtnoj]

The care instructions inside the box flap on my new Red Wings mentioned Mink Oil no less than three times.

[WayneJ]

Sno-Seal is my go-to boot care product. Heat insideo f boot w/hairdryer as others mentioned
20 year old Vasques and 10 year old Limmers seem to like it.

[jamesand]

I used to mix beeswax from our hives 50/50 with rendered bear tallow I got from a friend. It worked really well. I haven't had access to bear fat in a few years, so now I use a commercial product called Huberd's Shoe Grease - it's what my shoe guy recommends.

Red Wing 877s before



and after



I just slather it on thick since I'm not concerned with how these boots look, but I'm sure you could make it look better by using a little less grease and a little more care.

Don't mix your CERA-F in with your boot grease...

We are also Sno-seal users here; apply then put on heat register or hair dryer.

[nahtnoj]

Used Sno-Seal today. Nice stuff. Heated seams and welting, applied, heated again.

Wife asked "how do single manly boot wearing men heat up the leather?" Was using her hair dryer. Me: "Heat guns, which are manlier anyway."

[caleb]

Used Sno-Seal today. Nice stuff. Heated seams and welting, applied, heated again.

Wife asked "how do single manly boot wearing men heat up the leather?" Was using her hair dryer. Me: "Heat guns, which are manlier anyway."

Put them in front of a fireplace. Somehow building a big fire before working on my boots makes me feel less like a girl.