Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Leather Boot Treatment

Regardless of the selected treatment, I've found that doing the application outside on one of the sunny and hottest days of the year really helps things soak in. Most of us though are not thinking of our heavy winter boots, however, in July or August.

When the heat comes on though, all of my packs and boots go out for some serious treatment.

Another vote for Obenhaufs.

Snow seal is no good. It cracks and will not let your feet breathe.

Obenhaufs all the way!

$30 for it? Yow!

Obenauf's!

I never ever experienced anything like it.

Another vote for Obenaufs. I apply it with a hair dryer.

It's only $11.95 on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Obenaufs-Heav...208412&sr=8-2&keywords=Obenhaufs

+1

Mink oil is great stuff, been using it for years.

Used all the boot applications listed in this thread. Pecard waterproof shoe oil is better in my experience.

http://www.pecard.com/mm5/merchant....duct_Code=PSO4&Category_Code=shoeoil

Pecard's is the chitt. I can do a few more boots with what's left of the 32 oz container I bought years ago. Rubbed in by hand it does a great job of treating leather.
Here's a blurb form the website:




Company History - Pecard Chemical Co., Inc., started out as a small family-owned company in northeastern Wisconsin in 1902! Since then, Pecard has become the most trusted name in leather care. Why? Because our Leather Care Dressings have been tested, proven and perfected from the very beginning and our continued dedication to craftsmanship and quality has ALWAYS set Pecard apart from the rest.

More than 100 years ago in Lena, WI, Phil Pecard began to experiment with various formulas to protect, restore and seal leather gear. Pecard's original leather dressings and oils were not created out of vanity, but rather NECESSITY. The lumbermen of the Wisconsin north woods needed to protect their investment; they needed their expensive leather boots to last and to stay dry in the cold, wet and often harsh environment of Wisconsin's Northwood. That is why Phil Pecard created a product that held the promise, "NEVER LEAK".

Pecard History Admiral Richard ByrdPecard's commitment to quality earned his products an amazing reputation. Lumbermen swore by it. Factory workers endorsed it. Hunters wouldn't walk the woods without it. In fact, Admiral Richard E. Byrd specifically chose PECARD LEATHER DRESSING to protect his crew and their gear on the first expedition to the South Pole! Pecard Leather Dressing was also the only leather care product chosen by the crew of "Operation Deepfreeze", a series of explorations across the Arctic Circle.

Company website

Should have refreshed the page before posting - totally agree with this post!

This is what I happen to be using right now.



I recently purchased a pair of danner Canadian hunters.

I don't know wtf happened over at Danner boot company but this "leather" felt exactly like the boots were made out of hard plastic pickup truck mud flaps.

I started with kiwi mink oil paste but switched to this nor-v-gen paste and it's working better to soften this ridiculously stiff dry leather.

Have used this on leather motorcycle boots in the rain at 70 mph. Works fantastic - kept the tooties dry as a bone, and it smells fantastic - if you like pine pitch that is.

Obenaufs

By temporary, I didn't mean 'needing to be recoated in a few months'.

I've had Snoseal removed from boots by wet grass blades 'flicking' against the boots. After about 30 minutes or so it's gone.

It works better on my sorrels, but that's mostly because the lowers are rubber and the coated leather uppers are covered with pant legs.

I ALWAYS apply my boot dressing at speeds less than 60 mph, especially when it's raining!

You sir, are an ANIMAL!

Pure beeswax is the best waterproofing I've found for hard use boot leather and lasts way the longest without softening or cracking the leather. The OP does not seem to describe a boot for hard use in constantly wet conditions however.

Beeswax is a little hard to apply but one application lasts for ages. On my current Asolos, I applied beeswax in late August and have hunted coastal alpine, rain forest, dry pine country, backpack hunted for five days in constant alternating rain/snow/rain, etc. As of last week they would stay dry all day in rain and slush. If the seams start leaking during my wet coastal predator calling this winter I'll re-apply, otherwise will wait till next Fall.

I have used almost every item in this thread. I like Obenauf's and have come to dislike SnoSeal. "Best" depends somewhat on your use of the boots. For my "town boots" that I want to look good, most any of these are easier to apply than beeswax, more likely to retain a good looking finish, and will do to cross a slushy parking lot to get to REI. For multi-day constant use in a mix of rain, snow, gravel and alpine heather... beeswax.

Hmm... You got me wondering if that tube of Lyman bullet lube wouldn't be just the thing...

Danner Boot Dressing. Use the clear color and it will not alter the appearance of the leather. Some of the other products suggested will do just that.

Second on the Montana pitch blend, use it on y schnees and everything else leather.

Will pure bee's wax affect the breathability of the leather?
I have a pair of Filson highlander boots that I have been using their brand of boot oil on.It has kept them absolutely waterproof for the past ten years . They have a few deep gashes on them now and I believe it might be time for a little more aggressive treatment.