Leather conditioner/waterproofer? Boots etc.

W

winterland

Joined
Oct 18, 2007
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What kinds of leather conditioners and waterproofers do you guys like to use?

I have a pair leather Timberland winter boots and leather Rennaisance style moccasins that I try to keep in good condition.

I have used Nor-V-Gen oil as it is what my grandfather and step dad used for years. Made in Minnesota too. Has worked well for years but finally ran out and see there are many kinds on the market.

Sounds like you shouldn't use anything that seals the leather too tight as then the leather can't breath and can dry out/rot etc.

Here are the few I have found.

www.norvgen.com
www.montanapitchblend.com
 
I've used sno-seal to protect my leather boots, I just retired a pair of 20 year old Vasque's this last fall when I ripped the right sole off. Different approach from oiling, it is a wax sealer.
 
I use Nikwax for my hiking boots. I use Montana Pitch Blend for my soft tracker style moccasins. I use Red Wing silicone protectant for my Red Wing work boots. All of them work great.
 
I used to use SnoSeal, but I much prefer the Nikwax conditioner nowadays.
 
Obenauf's LP. It renews itself under heat.

For suede/chamois, I like Russell's Moccasin Chamois Oil. (Russell's Moccasins are great boots, btw) Like Obenauf's, FM Chamois Oil is best of breed.
 
I've had good luck with SnoSeal for boots I use in Montana snow, Alaska rain, etc. I warm the boots up in a very low oven (maybe 125-150 degrees) and the SnoSeal soaks in well. However, your boots aren't going to breathe once you thoroughly treat them. I expect the same would be true of any penetrating wax/oil that was applied thoroughly enough to keep all moisture out.

DancesWithKnives
 
Zen, thanks for the link on Montana Pitch Blend. I read their site and it sounds very similar to Obenaufs. Both use natural beeswax, and Montana uses pine pitch while Obenauf's uses propolis. Both are natural resins, one made by pines, the other gathered from plants by bees. Montana also uses mink oil. I've been sold on Obenauf's, but wouldn't hesitate to use Montana either. Both should be good for hunters and naturalists wishing to avoid spooking wildlife with synthetic chemicals.
 
I wear oil-tanned leather shoes or boots every day.
I use "Kiwi Dubbin Shoe Grease" on them a couple of times a year.
Because I often work around areas where we apply paint or perform structural bonding, I cannot use any silicone containing shoe greases. The Dubbin formula has none. I can't really say how well it waterproofs. We don't get enough rain to put the stuff to the test. The shoes respond well to it, though. Keeps the leather nice and flexible.
 
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