Waterproofing leather boots

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dennishoddy

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I've used mink oil in the past. Doesn't last forever, but reapplication every month works.

I'm with Shadow. Get some boots with Gore-Tex and be done with it. I've got some Redhead boots with Gore-Tex and 700 grams of thinsulate that are 5 years old, and have been treated with nothing. Tuesday, I walked through ankle deep water and mud for most of the day on an upland bird hunt walking many miles. My feet never got wet or cold. Same boots I used in New Mexico on an elk hunt last month walking in 8" snow all day at 8000 ft + with sub zero temps in the morning. Paired with some Marino wool socks, its unbeatable.

Spend some money and quit using work boots for winter footwear. The cost of waterproofing them over the years will be more than buying Gore-Tex and being done with it.
 

swampratt

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These boots were given to me from a neighbor,, FREE.
I think i will look into some Gortex boots.

So Danner and Redhead I will do some research..I can't wear slip on boots.. Must be lace up type.
Thanks guys.
 

SMS

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I get the boots warm with a hair dryer...apply liberally and reheat with hair dryer. You can actually watch it melt into the leather. If it's a first coat...I repeat the process.

Edit: Don't forget to remove the laces and treat the entire tongue area...and the seam stitching between the leather and the sole.

I can usually get a couple trips afield with a single application. There is no magic, treat once and done, thing for leather.

The good thing about leather is not needing winter boots and summer boots. Our winters here are mild and our summers suck. Wearing gortex boots in August is not a recipe for success lol. That being said, I have more boots than my wife has shoes.
 
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dennishoddy

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As an FYI, I don't think that whatever's in Kiwi "Mink Oil" products is mink oil any more - they stopped using it a couple of years ago if I remember correctly.

I think I remember that happening now that you bring that up. My partially full quart bottle of mink oil is from the early 80's.
Once they came out with the cordura vs leather, then Gore-Tex and thinsulate I haven't worn leather boots since other than work boots.
 

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