Can you over treat your boots

[IDHUNTER]

I know that good boot care is essential to peak performance and longevity of a boot but is it possible to over treat your boots? If so when do you get to that point? I assume with different products you have different treatment intervals. How often do you treat your boots and what product are you using?

 

[gelton]

I have used Obenhaufs, Nikwax and Montana Pitch Blend and still haven't found the solution I am looking for. As to frequency, I normally clean them and treat them after hunting season, and again right before. They dry out even when sitting in the closet. I am sure you can over treat though. Going to try HydroBloc next. I think they all work to a certain degree but haven't found one yet that lasts two weeks in the backcountry.

 

[Biggs300]

Gelton, I use either Obenauf's or Kenetrek Boot wax on most of my leather boots. Obenauf's is still works best for me. I have used HydroBloc Spray for my nubuck/split leather hikers and it is pretty amazing stuff. I have a pair that were water resistant at best and the HydroBloc made them waterproof. If their cream based conditioner and waterproofer is as good, I think you would be happy with it.

 

[LBFowler]

I think the risk of overtreating with a wax-based treatment is pretty low, at a certain point the leather just won't accept any more. the danger is if you are using an animal based product (some kind of grease) where the risk is over-softening the boot, at which point it will be much weaker.

 

[mtnkid85]

I might treat my boots 2-3 in a year. Certainly once before the season in ~September then MAYBE 1-2 more times during the season, late into ~April. I don't see any reason to do anymore than that.

I use a bees wax based something rather-or-anther that you rub in with a rag. I don't think your going to do any harm with something similar but like LBF said, eventually you'll just be smearing it around. The leather won't take any more, however thats going to take a lot of applications!

 

[westrnwild]

funny i just treated my boots tonight. I use the schnees boot conditioner.. Seems to work well. I have grangers too. I usually do it once before season and depending on use after that. I hike every weekend in my boots so i do it fairly frequently, maybe every other month or so.

 

[Roy68]

My everyday foot wear is all leather cowboy boots and they live a rough life. I use Sno-Seal on them. Once in the late fall and once mid to late spring. Make sure the leather is very warm and be generous. Wipe off the excess once they stop absorbing it. Nothing but smiles from me.

I use grangers on my Hanwags at the beginning and end of the season.

 

[Roy68]

My issue is that my boots tend to get wet from the inside out due to perspiration.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I know that good boot care is essential to peak performance and longevity of a boot but is it possible to over treat your boots? If so when do you get to that point? I assume with different products you have different treatment intervals. How often do you treat your boots and what product are you using?

Wet them out with a DWR first. Let dry then rub in beeswax mix.

 

[Gumbo]

I clean and treat my boots with Kennetrek wax regularly, several times a year, at any sign of drying or after a hike where they have gotten soaked (after they have dried). I may do it more than necessary, but my boot leather lasts several years this way in spite of hard use. I really don't think you can over-apply the Kennetrek wax to the point where it would damage the boots if you are at all reasonable about it. In my experience, letting the leather even begin to dry and crack is FAR worse than a few extra applications of wax.