New Boot Care

[Bulldog9]

I've had the same Western Boots (Engineer Toe) for 25 years, and have been using brown shoe polish to clean and maintain over those years.  I seem to have lost them, I don't know where, but have been bouncing around between my parents, home in VA and a bunch of other places. I'm sure they will show up..... 

Anyhow, I just bought a new pair (different color incase I find the other pair). These are a natural leather color with colored stitching, so no polish, and am thinking about Mink Oil or Saddle Soap, but I figured I'd ask the brain trust of other old cheap grumpy men.

Took me a while to find boots made in the USA, but a local shop had Double H, which I was thrilled to find made in Pennsylvania on the box. About $60 more than the Chinese/India options, but unless dummy me loses them, will last me till I'm feeding worms.

https://www.bootbarn.com/double-h-mens-ice-roper-western-work-boots---wide-square-toe/050D34.html

[Navydad]

I have purchased a couple of pairs of boots at their brick and mortar store. It's been awhile since I've had anything other than black or brown boots, but there used to be a neutral polish available that worked for tan and light brown boots. One of the many tins of Kiwi polish I've bought over the years

[Bulldog9]

A 6" orbital car buffer makes short work of boot care. I use a toothbrush to apply a light coat of polish to work it into nooks and crannies and then buff with the orbital. Dress shoes get the same treatment. If you use a little heat from a hair dryer while buffing the shine really comes out.

What's your address, I will mail them with a pre-paid return postage ticket...........

When we used to wear our military boots polished, we would heat up and melt the Kiwi when we put it on and use a blow dryer to bring up the shine.  I dont plan to make these new boots shine, just keep matte neutral and natural for now.

[old head]

I use mink oil on boots.  It will darken them some, but no more polishing and shining.  when the dirt starts to stick to the leather I clean with saddle soap, after drying reapply mink oil

done and done.

Old Head

[kballowe]

Kiwi neutral

[kirby1923]

Try this web site for leather care and wx proofing...

//www.obenaufs.com ›

:-)

[n3303j]

Saddle soap is exactly what it is named.
It is a mild soap for washing horse sweat off of saddles.
It's a good soap for surface washing any quality smooth leather.
It is used like soap (with water) to wash leather surfaces 

It is not for softening, protecting or preserving leather.
A preservative is applied after cleaning with saddle soap.

I'm a fan of very occasional neets foot oil applications. It will darken and soften the leather. Probably only use it once every 3 years. Sno-Seal gets rubbed (and baked) in annually and the boots remain reasonably waterproof.
GoreTex lining takes care of maintaining dry feet in extreme conditions.

[80CX100]

 Sno-Seal gets rubbed (and baked) in annually and the boots remain reasonably waterproof.

     It's been a long time since I've owned leather boots needing and worthy of good care; but after having trouble with mink oil rotting out stitching, sno-seal was my go to on good boots.

    Applied, like Perrazz, tooth brush then gentle hair dryer heat & rubbed in

    ps, you do realize that now that you've bought new boots, you'll find your old ones 

[aklawok]

Try this web site for leather care and wx proofing...

//www.obenaufs.com ›

:-)

X2 on the obenaufs!
I get it from cabelas and use it on all my leathers: holsters, belts ,hat boots coats...etc. specificaly this was originaly for some meindel hiking boots i had years ago that the obenaufs was recommended for as it is goretex safe. great stuff for thirsty leather!

[Iron Cross Junction]

I've had the same Western Boots (Engineer Toe) for 25 years, and have been using brown shoe polish to clean and maintain over those years.  I seem to have lost them, I don't know where, but have been bouncing around between my parents, home in VA and a bunch of other places. I'm sure they will show up..... 

Anyhow, I just bought a new pair (different color incase I find the other pair). These are a natural leather color with colored stitching, so no polish, and am thinking about Mink Oil or Saddle Soap, but I figured I'd ask the brain trust of other old cheap grumpy men.

Took me a while to find boots made in the USA, but a local shop had Double H, which I was thrilled to find made in Pennsylvania on the box. About $60 more than the Chinese/India options, but unless dummy me loses them, will last me till I'm feeding worms.

https://www.bootbarn.com/double-h-mens-ice-roper-western-work-boots---wide-square-toe/050D34.html

I am still getting over a career soldier admitting -- in public of all places  -- that he is doesn't know how to care for leather.   

Never mind; I forgot; you took the king's shilling after we got rid of horse cavalry.   

Try this web site for leather care and wx proofing...

//www.obenaufs.com ›

:-)

X2 on the obenaufs!
I get it from cabelas and use it on all my leathers: holsters, belts ,hat boots coats...etc. specificaly this was originaly for some meindel hiking boots i had years ago that the obenaufs was recommended for as it is goretex safe. great stuff for thirsty leather!

On the merits, I'm in Obenauf's brigade.   

Superb product ... and it's 'Mer'can, too. 

Bill