Work boot/Leather Waterproofing...What Do You Use??

I have always been looking for a better waterproofing/protectant for my work boots. I have been very satisfied with Carolina boots. That said, boots last about 9 months for me. I just purchased Atsko Sno-Seal Beeswax, I have never tried this product. Any other thoughts from all of us who work in the elements?

 

I use mink oil on leather boots

 

I gave up on trying trying to water proof leather

I have used the Snow Seal you just need to apply it every day after work.

Gortex All leather boots because of the welding

I am in slop all year long

I have a boot dryer they get dried every day .

I have 3 pair of the same boots that I rotate my feet are 4E so boots can be hard to find

About 2 resoling and the toes are cracked

 

mink oil

 

next question is what work is everyone using?

 

Heavy oil based products on leather boots with GoreTex will render the GoreTex useless as it blocks the moisture from escaping.

Simple silicone treatment for water repellant and leather conditioning cream as needed to keep the leather soft.

 

Oh, I use this process on my all leather Danner Pronghorn upland bird hunting boots. I hunt 30+/- days per season. Going on 10 yrs old and still in great shape.

 

Sno seal is legit, ive used them on a pair of Lacrosse Iceman i got 20 years ago and still not a drop gets in. I take the sno seal out of the jar and rub onto the leather portions and then hit them up with a blow dryer after. It will take a min but youll see the sno seal absorb into the leather then move on the next area. Make sure you get the seams really well. Its kept the water beading off my boots from snowmobiling to long days hunting,camping,grilling and smoking(shout out to the weber smokey mountain ) for producing delicious treasurs!

 

Regular shoe Polish. I usually hit them every second day with a buff and maybe an application if they're looking like crap. Does pretty good at keeping snow, water and various bodily fluids beading off.

 

Standard kiwi, melt it in the can with a heat gun apply in large proportions then go back over with the gun again so it can get into the tight places, finish with a brush for a alright shine. Did this for 12 years on my field boots to keep the toes dry.

 

I always heat up the boot, then apply mink oil, let that absorb for a bit, the. Heat again, apply a generous amount of sno seal, heat again and let it soak in. Do small sections at a time. I only do that about once a month or so and my boots usually last me at least 2-3 years, but its usually the souls that wear out before the boot does. Im a telephone repair technician/lineman and im out in all types of weather everyday.

 

That's exactly how I applied it.

 

Sno Seal then let them sit in front of the fireplace overnight.

 

I've read good things about Obenauf's, that would be my choice.

 

NikWax on some, Mink oil on some, and Lincoln Polish on some.





You might wanna try this. I've never tried it tho \/. But no they make a good polish wax/\.

 

Obenaufs is a great product but as someone mentioned above. If you have goretex boots all of these products will affect the ability of the goretex to allow moisture to pass thru. Yes even shoe polish. At. Best it helps make them water resistant, snoseal is no better either all those that claim these make your boots waterproof need to come work in the PNW.

I use it as mainly a leather conditioner, the LP is a bit heavy duty but it works wonders. Leather feels great and you cAn literally watch the boot drink the obenaufs into the leather. A lot of forestry peeps use it, it stand up to the rigors, although I suspect it is mainly just bees wax.

Now all that being said, I've never once stayed dry in Work boots because of goretex, infact it's like wearing a rain coats. Your either wet in sweat or rain water either way your getting cold if you do any work outside. Important thing here is to change your socks throughout the day and get yourself a boot dryer to stick in them at night.

 

Throw the leader boots in an oven and when warm apply bees wax works great.

 

Just wondering if anyone who exposes their boots to chemicals and petroleum also waterproofs them? I might be walking through diesel one day, NaOH the next, then through the woods and swampy areas the next. Never know day to day. I am thinking that things like mink oil and beeswax would dissolve pretty quickly, so silicone spray might be the way to go. Anyone know of any other good non-oil based waterproofing agents?

 

Work in oils daily, silcone spray works great also have used bees wax works good if applied with heat.