Leather Walking Boot Care
Discussion
Couldn't work out the best sub-forum to fit this in, and as their main use is dog walking it made sense to put it here.
Purchased myself a really nice pair of leather walking boots over the weekend and want to keep them looking tip top for as long as possible. With this in mind, what is the best product out there which will enable them to remain waterproof and in good conditions for as long as possible please?
If it makes a difference they are brown leather grisport quatro boots.
Purchased myself a really nice pair of leather walking boots over the weekend and want to keep them looking tip top for as long as possible. With this in mind, what is the best product out there which will enable them to remain waterproof and in good conditions for as long as possible please?
If it makes a difference they are brown leather grisport quatro boots.
I have a pair of Brasher leather boots which are still going strong after 15yrs thanks to regular generous applications of dubbin. Clean all the muck off with a damp cloth, dry them well and really lard it on. Take the laces out to do it properly every now and again. Leave overnight to soak and wipe off the excess. Don't try to polish them.
Having said that if I had a new pair of boots I would use nikwax or similar. It is less greasy than dubbin. But dubbin certainly hasn't hurt my old boots and it seems pointless to change products after so long. They are thoroughly impregnated with the stuff by now!
Having said that if I had a new pair of boots I would use nikwax or similar. It is less greasy than dubbin. But dubbin certainly hasn't hurt my old boots and it seems pointless to change products after so long. They are thoroughly impregnated with the stuff by now!
dontlookdown said:
I have a pair of Brasher leather boots which are still going strong after 15yrs thanks to regular generous applications of dubbin. Clean all the muck off with a damp cloth, dry them well and really lard it on. Take the laces out to do it properly every now and again. Leave overnight to soak and wipe off the excess. Don't try to polish them.
Having said that if I had a new pair of boots I would use nikwax or similar. It is less greasy than dubbin. But dubbin certainly hasn't hurt my old boots and it seems pointless to change products after so long. They are thoroughly impregnated with the stuff by now!
Agreed, blocking the pores on the leather ... what pish !Having said that if I had a new pair of boots I would use nikwax or similar. It is less greasy than dubbin. But dubbin certainly hasn't hurt my old boots and it seems pointless to change products after so long. They are thoroughly impregnated with the stuff by now!
I have two leather pouch belts and a leather ammo case from WW1, that seem to have survived 100 year under an inch of dubbin !
dontlookdown said:
I have a pair of Brasher leather boots which are still going strong after 15yrs thanks to regular generous applications of dubbin. Clean all the muck off with a damp cloth, dry them well and really lard it on. Take the laces out to do it properly every now and again. Leave overnight to soak and wipe off the excess. Don't try to polish them.
Having said that if I had a new pair of boots I would use nikwax or similar. It is less greasy than dubbin. But dubbin certainly hasn't hurt my old boots and it seems pointless to change products after so long. They are thoroughly impregnated with the stuff by now!
My Brashers last about 2 yrs, leather splits, always use Brashers own polish. I reckon less than than 2000 miles all in.Having said that if I had a new pair of boots I would use nikwax or similar. It is less greasy than dubbin. But dubbin certainly hasn't hurt my old boots and it seems pointless to change products after so long. They are thoroughly impregnated with the stuff by now!
No more Brashers.
PositronicRay said:
My Brashers last about 2 yrs, leather splits, always use Brashers own polish. I reckon less than than 2000 miles all in.
No more Brashers.
They don't make 'em like they used to! I sound just like my Dad. No more Brashers.
But it is true - looked at new Brashers in a shop recently and the quality of leather, stitching etc is nothing like as good. My old pair are fully lined with fine leather for example, and the outer is much better quality too. Sole also stiffer and thicker.
Will probs get a pair of Italian or German boots when the time comes.
4Q said:
Dubbin can block the pores of the leather causing the leather and the stitching to rot. You're much better with something like nikwax rubbed in with your fingers rather than a cloth as it softens as it warms.
I was told the same thing by the guy who sells motorcycle gear in a local bike shop. He reckoned good quality shoe polish was the best thing, as the leather needs to be able to breathe. This was for waterproof boots, gloves, jackets, that have a membrane inside. Not sure if walking boots have that?
Right, having used boots since I was in my teens and having had a career which boot were a major part of the footwear then you have a couple of options.
A good polish which should be applied on a regular basis, personally I use kiwi, its good and keeps my several pairs of boots waterproofed and looking shiny.
Dubbin, its a little heavy but does the job, you need to apply it sparingly, you only need a very light coat and it should be applied after you have used polish and brushed off, its not a substitute for polish.
Nikwax/Leder-Gris type waxes, again if you wish to keep the colour of your boots then use a polish first then apply the wax, you can use it on its own as its an all in one treatment but if you scuff your boots, polish is the best way to cover that up.
On boot maintenance, if you use your boots on a regular basis and they are subjected to all sorts of conditions, you need to take the laces out and ensure you clean the tongue of the boot, ensure you polish this well as its the main place that water will come in from as its the most overlooked part of the boot, get into the corners with a cloth/finger and let the polish soak in.
Clean off after the polish has dried and apply a very light coat of wax, note wax can pick up and hold dirt more so doing this means you will need to clean this area more often.
Dont forget to clean your laces, I just soak mine in soapy water to get the dirt out, does the job pretty well.
If your boots are completely covered in mud/dirt, wipe off as much as you can and then use warm water (not hot) and a brush (nail brush or a general kitchen brush, and I have a kitchen bowl for this) to remove the dirt, your boots should still be damp free if you have kept up the polishing, just let them dry off and apply another coat of polish, and to be honest, you can just apply the polish straight after cleaning if your boots are still waterproofed from regular care, and if they are that dirty, follow the step of cleaning the tongue as well
A good polish which should be applied on a regular basis, personally I use kiwi, its good and keeps my several pairs of boots waterproofed and looking shiny.
Dubbin, its a little heavy but does the job, you need to apply it sparingly, you only need a very light coat and it should be applied after you have used polish and brushed off, its not a substitute for polish.
Nikwax/Leder-Gris type waxes, again if you wish to keep the colour of your boots then use a polish first then apply the wax, you can use it on its own as its an all in one treatment but if you scuff your boots, polish is the best way to cover that up.
On boot maintenance, if you use your boots on a regular basis and they are subjected to all sorts of conditions, you need to take the laces out and ensure you clean the tongue of the boot, ensure you polish this well as its the main place that water will come in from as its the most overlooked part of the boot, get into the corners with a cloth/finger and let the polish soak in.
Clean off after the polish has dried and apply a very light coat of wax, note wax can pick up and hold dirt more so doing this means you will need to clean this area more often.
Dont forget to clean your laces, I just soak mine in soapy water to get the dirt out, does the job pretty well.
If your boots are completely covered in mud/dirt, wipe off as much as you can and then use warm water (not hot) and a brush (nail brush or a general kitchen brush, and I have a kitchen bowl for this) to remove the dirt, your boots should still be damp free if you have kept up the polishing, just let them dry off and apply another coat of polish, and to be honest, you can just apply the polish straight after cleaning if your boots are still waterproofed from regular care, and if they are that dirty, follow the step of cleaning the tongue as well
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