Cleaning cowboy boots

[scottmandue]

That is right... the beach boy has been spending too much time in Oregon.

And bought my first pair of cowboy boots.

I want them to last... and there are 101 types of cleaners, conditioners, polish...

What is the best stuff to use?

[Mrmerlin]

What kind of leather are they made of?
Reptile, snake, ostrich, hippo, deer, pig,cow,buffalo,shark

[Moses]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

And bought my first pair of cowboy boots.

I want them to last...

What is the best stuff to use?

Cow crap. Liberally applied.

[HardDrive]

You don't clean cowboy boots. You kick off enough of the crap so that the wife doesn't yell at you for tracking it in the house.

Cleaning cowboy boots is for guys who pronounce Porsche with 2 syllables

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Yep, need to identify the type of skin. Also, you need to be careful as some cleaners will permanently darken the leather.

So, type of leather, brand (just so I can poke fun at you, no realy reason), and how often do you wear them? Do you have shoe trees? Again, might not matter...

[911boost]

I've never cleaned a pair of cowboy boots. Scuff em up so you look mean, just like the bus driver did to the bus in one of the greatest movies of all time.

Out of curiosity though, can a good cobbler reshape the front of the boot? I have one pair that is a little pointy in the front, and would like more of a traditional toe....

Bill

[craigster59]

You might want to think about some type of waterproofing in case you spill a Cosmopolitan or a Lemon Drop on them in the Saloon...

[Baz]

Originally Posted by craigster59

You might want to think about some type of waterproofing in case you spill a Cosmopolitan or a Lemon Drop on them in the Saloon...

Ha ha Craig...that made me lol.....

[scottmandue]

Just plain old cowhide... can't afford no fancy stuff yet...

Already have mink oil to waterproof gloves/work boots... and saddle soap... is regular shoe polish any different than "boot care" products?

Maybe I should douse them with vodka and cranberry juice?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

Yep, need to identify the type of skin. Also, you need to be careful as some cleaners will permanently darken the leather.

So, type of leather, brand (just so I can poke fun at you, no really reason), and how often do you wear them? Do you have shoe trees? Again, might not matter...

The darkening the leather part is what bothers me...

Don't wear them to work (never hear the end of it).

Only wear them on weekends for now... my first pair of cowboy boots... the more they break in the more I like them.

I looked online and thought I was going to get Justin's... but then I went to the store to try them on (Coastal supply in Troutdale OR.) Justin=made in China, Laredo=made in China, Tony Lama=made in America. Almost bought the black Tony Lama... but the Laredo's felt and looked better so that is what I ended up with. I would never buy boots online, you really got to try them on.

[craigster59]

Next time you get up to Ventura, stop by The Wharf. Lots of nice boots, once you get used to the pair you have now you'll probably buy a few more....
The Wharf Online Store Ventura Levis, Filson, Carhartt, Ugg Boots, Wrangler jeans, Cowboy boots, Wolverine boots, Justin boots, Lucchese boots, Ariat boots

[Instrument 41]

I'm a boot wearer. Justin's or Tony Lama's. The longer you wear them the more comfortable they get. The most comfortable skin is the smooth ostrich. The only thing you need to do is keep them wiped off with warm water. The only boot that really deserves a polish are Luchese's. By far the absolute best made, average about $800 per pair. The enemy to boots is dryed on mud and dirt. Now if they are just work boots, never clean them.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

When you have saved up a bit try Luchesse, nothing fits like them!!!!! You would likely start wearing them to work, VERY manly footwear boots. My favorite pairs of boots, one from 1981 (elephant) and one from 2006 (elephant)!

I also have some Tony Lama elephant hide from 1982 that I still wear.

Check around, not all Justins are made in China!

OK, all the advertising done;

mink oil WILL darken your leather.

Clean with saddle soap or a natural oil soap (castile, glycerine soap (Pears but there ARE cheaper varients), or maybe something from a local soap maker that is gentle. You are trying to not take any more oils out of the leather.

I use Lexol products for the conditioning. They seem to work. Follow their directions for application. They also make products for cleaning but the above is cheaper usually and just as good. The lexol will also help with waterproofing!

Best and welcome to manly footwear!!!!

(London Homesick Blues, Lost Gonzo Band)

[gtc]

Kiwi makes an aerosol water-proofer that works very well and won't discolor the leather. The local western shop recommends using it on all new boots.
Kiwi All Protector Water Proofing Spray 3-Pack @ Renton Western Wear

[futuresoptions]

I use mink oil on plain ole' cowhide... scotchbrite on suede.. (sorta like that Kiwi stuff gtc is reffering to)

[RWebb]

mink oil might soften them - could be good or bad

only coboys clean cowboy boots

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

My dress boots, I clean. My work boots are muddy as *&(@#$&#*@()@#$. I'm neither a coboy, cowboy, or, apparently, farmer or rancher. I have been, however, referred to as a redneck ;-)

[scottmandue]

Apparently they are just real big shoes... and should be treated like such.

When I bought them they had a whole section ot "boot car products" and that was what got me thinking.

Thanks for the replies!

And I'm a city boy... just looking for something different, stylish and, more age appropriate than $200 Nike's.

Bartender, another appletini please!

PS, I do like the way they feel... and they change you gate... makes me feel like Clint Eastwood in the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

[Rick V]

You don't clean them, you just wear them.
These old friends are about 15 years old

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Just plain old cowhide... can't afford no fancy stuff yet...

Already have mink oil to waterproof gloves/work boots... and saddle soap... is regular shoe polish any different than "boot care" products?

Maybe I should douse them with vodka and cranberry juice?

Fancy stuff is many times not that much more expensive.

I have not bought a pair of boots "off of the rack" in 20 years now since living in El Paso. Pilot I was flying with sold skins in his spare time and I ended up with a beautiful pair of Ostrich boots that I still wear and still look like new. Done by a small shop in West Texas, they do everything from plain cowhide to the most expensive stuff you can imagine.

Anyone ever interested in a pair of boots that fit YOUR foot and not a generic boot, PM or email me. They are not that much more expensive and fit from day one. Worth every penny...

Joe A