Best boot leather conditioner/waterproofing?

[cornfedkiller]

Sorry if this has been discussed a dozen times.. What do you guys prefer for boot wax?

Few I've used/am looking at:

Sno-Seal - Used it for a couple years, don't have too many complaints about it.
Ubenhoff's - Dont like it, didnt seem to waterproof my boots well at all.

Grangers - Heard good things on here, but amazon reviews are so-so.
Kenetrek - Slightly better reviews than Grangers, also a little cheaper per ounce
Otter Boot Wax - Gets a 5 star rating on amazon
Huberd's shoe grease - cheapest and gets the best reviews

Anyone have any strong opinions one way or another?

 

[Ariettabob]

I thought I was the only one who had horrible results with Ubenoff’s. I’d coat the boots incredibly liberally and get maybe a half days hunt before they were waterlogged and soaked through.

I’ve had really good luck with sno seal in the past.
Last season I began using Montana Pitch Blend because it was recommended by Schnee’s and I loved it.

 

[ccsmith2]

I am interested in this as well. Through most of the year no water proofing is needed in AZ but when those monsoon rains show up, nothing stays dry.

 

[ofl0926]

in to see what ppl say

 

[doverpack12]

I would find out how the leather was tanned, oil vs vegetable. I never had good results with the nikwax paste until discussing with Schnees about the beartooth boots and discovering they were vegetable tanned and the nikwax is compatible and it has worked well so far with a season of use. Previously I used montana pitch blend on a previous version of these boots with not so great longevity. I actually didn’t know there was a difference in how the leather is tanned. I’ve had other boots before that didn’t perform great with one commonly accepted treatment and would work with another.

 

[cornfedkiller]

I'm guessing if I ask Crispi what they recommend, the answer is going to be the stuff they sell.

 

[zeroforhire]

Love my hubbards

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[jmden]

Used a few and prefer Danner Waterproofing Gel. Soaks in to keep leather in shape and waterproofs it in the process. The gel thickness leaves some on the exterior as well. Easy application.

 

[camping1601]

I'm guessing if I ask Crispi what they recommend, the answer is going to be the stuff they sell.

I've used the Crispi boot cream. It's really easy to apply, but it doesn't hold up, and it's expensive.

 

[doverpack12]

I'm guessing if I ask Crispi what they recommend, the answer is going to be the stuff they sell.

Don’t ask which treatment, ask how the leather is tanned.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Obenaufs heavy duty LP is my choice. However it is not really intended as a standalone waterproof seal. It is meant to keep the leather supple, and free from cracks. The waterproofing comes from the construction of the boot, and the integrity of the leather. I use it all the time on my Zamberlans and they are still quite waterproof, but they are also gore tex. I think it does the best job of anything I've used for preserving the leather, while adding a little waterproofing to it.

 

[Tater86]

Montana Pitch Blend, I use it on all of my leather boots, from hiking, hunting and cowboy boots. It is all natural and I have never once had an issue with any boots and it works with GorTex

 

[Middleofnowhere]

I use Obenaufs primarily on my leather work and huning boots.

On most recent Alaska trip, my feet were wet in spite of the Obenauf treatment and goretex lining. Walking through muskeg and wet forest mud took it’s toll. My hunting bro had a different brand of boot and his feet stayed appropriately dry, even though we both treated our boots together with obenaufs before heading out.

I’m interested to hear more about how the tanning process plays into the equation of leather water proofing (vegetable tanned vs. oil tanned).

 

[golfbum]

Not To derail from the OP but what about Nubuck leather and cordoura boots like Salomon 4ds and the likes?

 

[lks2]

I had a bad experience with Obenaufs. The rand on my boot started to separate after and I didn't feel i worked great for waterproofing. Switched to grangers and I'm satisfied with it.

 

[lks2]

Not To disrail from the OP but what about Nubuck leather and cordoura boots like Salomon 4ds and the likes?

I have used nikwax spray with good results on mine.

 

[*zap*]

It is hard to best mink oil, a heat gun and elbow grease for maintaining leather.

 

[quent]

I've used obaunaunf's on my full grains and haven't had any issues. I use zamberlan's hydrobloc spray on my nubuck and rough out boots. Works well so far.

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[cornfedkiller]

I sent an email to Crispi this morning asking if they could tell me how their nubuck leather was tanned, but I have not heard anything back yet. I will post what they say when I get a reply.

 

[*zap*]

My experience is that heating the leather makes a huge difference in it absorbing mink oil/sno seal.