Waterproofing oils for boots

[GH85Carrera]

I have a pair of "winter" boots that are Timberline waterproof boots that I only wear in the winter when it is snowy or icy.

They are just a few years old, and the leather has a oiled finish.

So my question: What is the best oil for them? If I just look up boot oil there are dozens of choices. I prefer something made in America, and just a small quantity. I would expect small amount goes a long way.

So Mink oil, or some other brand? I am just looking for opinions from a group of shy people with no opinions about anything.

[1990C4S]

I've always used mink oil

But there are some interesting water repellant spray now...

[vash]

Obernaufs..by a mile. the stuff is amazing.

i use the stuff that comes in a tub. Obernauf LP or something. smells kinda like a hint of honey, and your hands will feel great. its a leather treatment. it will darken the leather. i trust the Goretex membrane in my boots and treat the leather, to make it last.

[Evans, Marv]

^^^^ What Cliff said. Mink oil or Snow Seal would be OK too.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by vash

Obernaufs..by a mile. the stuff is amazing.

i use the stuff that comes in a tub. Obernauf LP or something. smells kinda like a hint of honey, and your hands will feel great. its a leather treatment. it will darken the leather. i trust the Goretex membrane in my boots and treat the leather, to make it last.

So this stuff?

https://www.amazon.com/Obenaufs-Leather-Conditioner-Natural-Beeswax/dp/B003SKCARK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&hvadid=3527280533&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=obenauf%E2%80%99s&qid=1603812238&sr=8-1&tag=mh0b-20&th=1

I see that is "Repels chemicals, manure acid, salt," and that is handy is I wander over into PARF. ')

[Evans, Marv]

[QUOTE=GH85Carrera;1107829 I see that is "Repels chemicals, manure acid, salt," and that is handy is I wander over into PARF. ')[/QUOTE]

Nope. It's so deep over there, it would be deeper than the tops of your boots and seep inside.

[john70t]

yer gonna need a scuba suit for parf

[GH85Carrera]

I am just looking for the best leather treatment for water for my boots.

I know there is no such thing as PARF repellent except stay away.

[vash]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

So this stuff?

https://www.amazon.com/Obenaufs-Leather-Conditioner-Natural-Beeswax/dp/B003SKCARK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&hvadid=3527280533&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=obenauf%E2%80%99s&qid=1603812238&sr=8-1&tag=mh0b-20&th=1

I see that is "Repels chemicals, manure acid, salt," and that is handy is I wander over into PARF. ')

thats the stuff!! if you dig into those 3000+ reviews, i wrote one of them. that tub last a long time. i'm on my second tub. the first i couldnt use fast enough and it actually turned rancid..but it took years.

i swear. i used it on my wifes subaru leather seats. black seats, so no color change.

i coat all of our leather shoes and boots. all of them. my belts, my dogs collar.

on my hunting bow there is a wrist sling, that is made of leather. mine always breaks. sweat, weather, grossness...i wiped it with OBernaufs and it has been going on for about 8 years. i will try not to waste the current tub. i just wipe it on everything.

[GH85Carrera]

Vash, I am sold. I will order the 4 OZ tub. Should be plenty. I can always get more.

Thanks!

[Evans, Marv]

Cliff. How long did it take for it to turn rancid? I've had a tub for a few years now that's partially used.

[craigster59]

Another vote for Obenauf's. Developed by a smoke jumper to resist water and fire retardant chemicals.

I've never had a problem with it going rancid, I have a tub I've had for over 5 years and it's still good.

[NutmegCarrera]

Another good one is “Snow Seal”.
Made from bees’ wax. Water repellent and will not degrade over time (not a product of fats or oils).

[Geronimo '74]

I tried a few of those water repellent nanotechnology sprays on my work boots.
They work, for a while.
On my work boots it wore off pretty fast. My boots do see a lot of water, mud and dirt.

I think a good oil is a no brainer. Keep the leather in good condition. (A water repellent spray does not maintain the leather. It just adds a repellent layer.)

The spray can be a nice extra form of protection.

[911boost]

I use Tectron Sno-Seal every year on my elk hunting boots. I think I got it at REI years and years ago and it was USA made. They are USA made Irish Setters and the toes get beat up really bad each year. I heat them up a heat gun (hot air) and then rub it in with a rag. Snow, wet, dry, my feet always stay nice and cozy.

[GH85Carrera]

I have one pair of boots that I bought in the early 1970s. They are Air Force issue boots for new recruits. I bought them on base when I was in high school. I bought them for working on my car and they were soon covered in motor oil and garage grunge. Every-time my Air Force office father saw them he would just shake his head. He taught ROTC for more than a few years. His students needed to see a the reflection of their smile in the same type of boots.

I just want something that keeps the leather healthy and waterproof and I think Vash's recommendation will do just that.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

^^^^ What Cliff said. Mink oil or Snow Seal would be OK too.

I have used Mink Oil and Snow Seal, fine products.

I need to do my boots this Fall and I had never heard of Obernaufs so I ordered some.

My little walk on the wild side

Thanks Cliff and GH85!

[Zeke]

Thanks a bunch. I'm now $14+ bucks poorer (10% sales tax).

[71T Targa]

I've used Sno Seal with good results.

Here's a good comparison:
https://bootmoodfoot.com/sno-seal-vs-obenhaufs/

[Jeff Higgins]

I have also used both mink oil and Snowseal on my hunting boots. As already mentioned, though, mink oil is an animal product and will eventually turn rancid. I bet a pair of boots won't last long enough for that to happen, though. Snowseal is supposed to be "better" because, as a bees' wax, it won't do that. Honestly, though, I never saw any difference, and I actually used them interchangeably on the same pairs of boots.

Back in those days, we actually wanted to "waterproof" boots in an effort to keep our feet dry. We would make this stuff soak in by heating the boots in the oven first. It was always kind of hopeless, though, since the seams would leak anyway. It did help a bit, for awhile, but we had to reapply several times per season.

Nowadays, we are only trying to preserve the leather so it doesn't dry out and rot. Whatever membrane (goretex, etc.) is sewn into the boot is what keeps our feet dry. So our requirements have changed - we are no long actually trying to seal the leather to prevent water passing through. We are only preserving it - it can allow water to seep through and our feet will still remain dry.

So, these days, I no longer use the heavy greases or waxes. I just use some kind of leather oil. My current choice is Ballistol, a mineral oil product developed by the Germans prior to WWI. They used it on leather, wood, and steel to ward off the ravages of use in muddy trenches. You can actually clean guns with it as well, but it's really at its best as a rust preventative after cleaning with something else. Great stuff to have in a hunting camp - apply it to your boots and your rifle. Works great on both.