[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.