Leather boot treatment

I've always used dubbin, that's what I was taught in the Army... Never had a problem with stitching or anything else. I have a pair of hiking boots which are nearly 8 years old, the sole is nearly ready for replacement but essentially they still go great and I dubbin them after every use...(not so much use since the kids were born but hey, what do you do...???)

Hi Wortgames,
I have for many years used dubbin too. The last time I changed I use now a Niblick Leather conditioner (for golf shoes). Looks the same as Dubbin! I recently threw them out after 16 years so I am pretty happy with that. What I do is use the conditioner and kiwi polish alternate weeks and yes I do polish them every week.
Regards,
Steve

I have used two conditioners than I have found to be good. One is Renapur Leather Balsam. The container says it is made from natural ingredients including bees wax. The container lid has a phone number for Renapur Australia as 03 9769 2244 (Dandenong).

The other is Emu Oil leather conditioner. I don't have any at the moment (or can't find it anyway). First bought it at a rural field day and it worked well.

Have not noticed any problem with stiches with either.

Google both and you should find some info.

I use Lanotec, it the oil found in sheeps wool

I have found it to work quite well

If you dont know what is is, its in an areosol can its used for drive chains moving parts ect
Similar to CRC,WD40...... but leaves a coat of light grease

Its other uses are Sadelry and leather water proofing also treats it

Thanks everyone. I have been Googling but I'm not turning up much in the way of Aussie products.

I have to confess, I've never really noticed any ill effects from dubbin, but apparently oil-based products will have the effect of softening leather - it's probably only marginal but like I say, I'm happy to buy a (presumably silicone) alternative if it will extend the life of the structure and support of the leather.

I use Saddle Dressing from RM Williams on my boots. It doesn't contain wax, so it lets the leather breathe and keeps it supple and looking great.

Cheers
John

Saddle fat as previos poster .. use it on all my leather gear .. jackets including ..
good luck
gmd

Hide food life for all my leather good , even car seats

A few years ago I bought a can of 'The Original Australian Leather Seal' at an Outdoor Show. Claims to Waterproof, Condition and Protect. Contains Bees Wax, claims to be totally organic and is Australian made and owned. Company called Belpard International Trading P/L 32 Queens Ave, Hawthorn 3122 Aust. I have found this product to do exactly as advertised. I am very pleased with the results.

I bought a bucket of the same stuff at the Maitland 4x4 show. I use it on my boots, dress shoes and riggers gloves as well as the wife's boots and handbags. I have had the 1kg bucket for over 5 years now and hardly made a dent in it.
Works well on the old lacky sided boots and brings them up like new. I wear the soles out before the leather dies. Rubbing a smear on the inside heal of new boots also helps soften them when you first pull them on and prevents blisters

I have used Dubbin in the past and am not a fan. I find that it is too greasy and attracts fine grit that eventually wears the stitching out. I have used it on the old GP's because it was cheap (free) and replacing them was just as cheap. Eventually I swapped to neutral Kiwi polish that worked well and the boots stayed looking newer longer.

You can get Nikwax in Aus as I have used some of their sleeping bag treatments in the past. Have a look in the camping shops like PadiPalin or Snowgum and you should find it.
Or
For an Australian supplier, have a look here:

Site Link

I think you will find that most hard core bushwalkers (those who actually use boots rather than Dunlop Volleys!!!!) will recommend "NIKWAX".

This stuff comes in varying forms including something similar to the consistency of Dubbin. Thet also use a different form of it to re-proof goretex coats etc..

I spent 15 years working as an outdoor education teacher, which included about 10 weeks per year camped in the snow in the Vic High Country. With my old leather X-C ski boots, it was the best thing I tried. Combined with the Goretex socks I had dry feet.

All this being said, if the water comes over the top of the boot.......wet feet anyway.

Just my thoughts...

CHeers,

Mark

Thanks again everyone - what a great response!

It looks like Nikwax is available here (thanks Hoyk for the link) so I'll try and get hold of some. The boot manufacturer mentions it by name and it seems to be well regarded among hikers so I'll stick with it if I can.

As an avid bushwalker I have always used only SnoSeal - NikWax is similar and is available at any good outdoors shop.. Dubbin breaks down the stiching and also softens the leather as well.

i make my own
beeswax
wax dyes for colour i want
pure turpentine

melt wax, add dye, check colour, and add pure turpentine (not mineral turps) to make a paste, let cool. NO NAKED FLAMES!...use like any kiwi polish

Use dubbin if boots are too tight as it softens the leather and allows it to stretch.
Other wise I use Sno seal, waterproofs and keeps the boots the same size, no problems with stitching or leather softening.

I used Dubbin on a trusty pair of very, very expensive Redwing boots and I swear the stuff went rancid after a few months. They had this horrible stink all the time. Nothing like foot odour, a 'sweet' rotting leather smell. Tried everything (sunlight, freezing, anti-bacterial sprays etc) but eventually just had to throw them out . FURIOUS to say the least.

Used Renapur since then and it's the best stuff ever. I think my great great grandkids will still be using the same tub too - a little goes a loooooonnnnnngggggggg way.

Dubbin, beeswax etc all use a mineral based wax which is near on impossible to apply to anything that isn't dry - ie boots which are out walking and need a reapplication.
Nikwax is water based and hence can be reapplied in the field.....

Guess which one I'd recommend.

Burn the petrol solvent out of them?

bwahhahahahah

Nah, seriously I don't know. They all seem to break down fairly quickly, so i'd keep wearing them until they are scuffed up and a new application is required and give it a go.

C.J.

When we were in Tassie, we used the Sno coat stuff on our hiking boots to keep them waterproof. At home i use good old Kiwi black, or wait until a day in the shearing shed; shuffling around the pieces brings them up soft and shiny.

R.M.Williams saddle dressing.

It depends what the leather is treated with and what the manufacturer recommends.

I used to use Dubbin, and working for a retailer of work boots for the last 18 years, we always used to recommend it, but we had many reports of leather going soft and stretching, which is also what happened to me, so on the advice of Blundstone and Steel Blue [our 2 biggest brands] we now mainly recommend good old Kiwi or Nuggit, or similar shoe polish.

with a serious drowning of snoseal[daily application to warm boots for 2 weeks] you can walk all day in the mud slush rain and snow and still have dry socks at the end of it. i have done it. this is not an opinion, it is a fact

We use snowseal on ours. Am sure you can get it from most camping and disposals stores.