Cleaning/Conditioning leather boots?

[TriggerMike]

What does everyone do/what product do you use to clean/condition your leather boots? Whether they may be for hiking, hunting, work etc. I'm curious and want to maximize the life and quality of my hunting boots and have been reading about how important it is to clean boots but there's a million products out there. What's everyone's opinions.

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[Duckslayer89]

What does everyone do/what product do you use to clean/condition your leather boots? Whether they may be for hiking, hunting, work etc. I'm curious and want to maximize the life and quality of my hunting boots and have been reading about how important it is to clean boots but there's a million products out there. What's everyone's opinions.

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I use obenaufs once in a while but don't overdue it because it effects breathability. Mostly I use this silicone water proof treatment it protects and keeps them dry for a long time. I have USA Danner Quarry work boots and LOWA Tibet HI GTX Hunting boots. Use the same thing for both. The TIBETS I hardly use Obenaufs on mostly clean them and use the silicone treatment which is recommended by manufacturer

https://www.amazon.com/Atsko-Silicone-Water-Guard-10-5-oz/dp/B0001FYL2M

[TriggerMike]

Thanks for the tip. What kind of longevity have you seen doing that? And when you say clean them do you mean basically just wipe them down with a wet paper towel?

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[Duckslayer89]

Thanks for the tip. What kind of longevity have you seen doing that? And when you say clean them do you mean basically just wipe them down with a wet paper towel?

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No prob! Ya I use a little brush with water and scrub them pretty well and wipe with a paper towel actually then let them dry before I put anything on. Seems like dry mud is what can really suck the life out of a boot fast. That Atsko stuff is really good I'm surprised at how long it lasts you can watch the water bead off your boots. As far as longevity I have had my work boots for like 2+ years and I work for the railroad and they get abused every night. The hunting boots are doing great too.

Ive heard to stay far away from mink oil!

[pianoman9701]

I use a locally made bee's wax - Bee Natural Rain & Snow. No odor and just bee's wax. I clean and dry them first, like duckslayer does.
http://ehub41.webhostinghub.com/~miomip5/beenaturalleathercare.com/shop.html#!/Rain-&-Snow-8-oz/p/35500459/category=9139649

[Jpmiller]

The obenaufs is great. I have my danner super rainforest for about three years doing double duty work and hunt/hike. Cleaning them though is super important and letting them dry completely. The leather protectant has to get into the leather to work and it can't if the leather is wet. I have never had any good results with any of the products with dye in them plus they make a mess.

Proper boot care can more than double the life of the leather on your boots. Don't put them away dirty or wet.

[Dhoey07]

I try and make sure to hose them off good after getting home.  For conditioner, I use Huberd's.

[Duckslayer89]

Do you guys ever blow dry the obenaufs in? I did that last time and it worked awesome kind of fryed it onto them. Manufacturer of the boots actually recommended that

[MountainWalk]

Been using coconut oil for the past year. Tried it on a lark. I dig it. Better than animal fats or silicone.   The solid white stuff used for cooking.

[TriggerMike]

The obenaufs is great. I have my danner super rainforest for about three years doing double duty work and hunt/hike. Cleaning them though is super important and letting them dry completely. The leather protectant has to get into the leather to work and it can't if the leather is wet. I have never had any good results with any of the products with dye in them plus they make a mess.

Proper boot care can more than double the life of the leather on your boots. Don't put them away dirty or wet.

For the obenaufs, do you use the Heavy Duty LP or the Leather Oil? Seems like it's two products that do the same thing?

[Jpmiller]

I don't use the oil only because I don't prefer it. I am told they are the same but I find it easier to apply the LP. I leave it in the dash of my truck  so it stays warm. The oil is easier if you can't warm up the LP but leaving it in direct sunlight for ten minutes will do the trick. 

[Duckslayer89]

I use the LP. Never used the oil before. Use a rag and rub it on. Blow dry if possible

[Special T]

Obenaufs HD LP it's the first thing I use on my new boots. I find the trick is to use a heat gun to get the leather nice and warm before the first application and really let that stuff suck I to the leather. On new boots I normally heat gun and apply 3 liberals layers into the leather the first time. After that all I do is give them a wipe down heat with the gun and apply as necessary. My toes are always the first thing needing a touch up.

[724wd]

I got some Nikwax but haven't applied it yet.  I'll do that before this season.

[BULLBLASTER]

I'll never put obenaufs on any boots I own anymore. Had it ruin 2 pairs of boots. It breaks down the adhesive used on hunting boots. I guess it's ok on all leather boots but anything with a rubber rand or synthetic thread will break down with it.
I use graingers g wax now and it is good so far.

It is recommended for my lowa boots by both lowa and lathrop and sons.
Also lathrop and sons told me about the issues with obernaufs

[Duckslayer89]

I'll never put obenaufs on any boots I own anymore. Had it ruin 2 pairs of boots. It breaks down the adhesive used on hunting boots. I guess it's ok on all leather boots but anything with a rubber rand or synthetic thread will break down with it.
I use graingers g wax now and it is good so far.

It is recommended for my lowa boots by both lowa and lathrop and sons.
Also lathrop and sons told me about the issues with obernaufs

Idk I've been using it on my Lowas and it's been fine and they have the rubber rand. My friend does the same with his Meindls

[JLS]

I'll never put obenaufs on any boots I own anymore. Had it ruin 2 pairs of boots. It breaks down the adhesive used on hunting boots. I guess it's ok on all leather boots but anything with a rubber rand or synthetic thread will break down with it.
I use graingers g wax now and it is good so far.

It is recommended for my lowa boots by both lowa and lathrop and sons.
Also lathrop and sons told me about the issues with obernaufs

I had a rand separate on a pair of Lowas.  I sent them in to Dave Paige in Seattle for resoling/repair and he asked me if I used Obenauf's.  Told him I did, he told me to stop.  Said it reacts with the chromium salts used to tan the leather and delaminates the glues.

[Duckslayer89]

I'll never put obenaufs on any boots I own anymore. Had it ruin 2 pairs of boots. It breaks down the adhesive used on hunting boots. I guess it's ok on all leather boots but anything with a rubber rand or synthetic thread will break down with it.
I use graingers g wax now and it is good so far.

It is recommended for my lowa boots by both lowa and lathrop and sons.
Also lathrop and sons told me about the issues with obernaufs

I had a rand separate on a pair of Lowas.  I sent them in to Dave Paige in Seattle for resoling/repair and he asked me if I used Obenauf's.  Told him I did, he told me to stop.  Said it reacts with the chromium salts used to tan the leather and delaminates the glues.

Isn't Nubuck leather fake so why would it be tanned? I hear you and understand where you coming from maybe different models? The only part that has came off on my rand is on the very tip barely and I think it's from dragging it over logs in clear cuts and stuff

[JLS]

Nubuck leather isn't necessarily fake, it's just the surface finish (like suede).

Dave is an authorized warranty repairman for Lowa.  I'm going to assume he knows more than I do about boots and treating them.

[Bofire]

clean well when you get home, hose and sprayer, dry off and treat with Hubberds when the need it.
I think cleaning is more important then the oil.

Carl

[JLS]

Using Hubbard's on a mountaineering boot will ruin the support.  Same with mink oil.  Following the manufacturer's recommendations is probably not a bad idea if you are dropping 3 to 4 Benjamins on a pair of boots.

[n_mathews13]

2015  blue Mt Rendered bear fat. Been using it for a year or so. Pleased with it

[TriggerMike]

2015  blue Mt Rendered bear fat. Been using it for a year or so. Pleased with it

Interesting, my buddy recommended using bear fat to me yesterday.

[C-Money]

I've used bear fat...works good when available. I use Obenaufs on my Nicks/Whites work boots. Been doing so for years. Works very well.