What product do you use to treat/waterproof your boots?

[Flydaho]

For all-leather, stitched boots (think Nick's or White's) I go with Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP. It does a damn good job at repelling water and preserving the leather. You want to take special care around the "hinge" of the boot right behind the toe box. Fine sand and dirt can work its way into the leather pores and cut up the leather. You will get deep cracks in the leather which will cause an early death of your boot. Make sure to clean off your boots every time you take them off.

For any boots that are bonded with adhesive (like the rubber rand on your Lowa's or Kenetrek's) I go with the Kenetrek boot wax. Apparently Obenauf's contains an ingredient that can break down the adhesive and cause delamination of the rubber rand. That's why there is that note in your Kenetrek box that advises against using Obenauf's. The Kenetrek boot wax is very similar to Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP and it does just as good of a job for protecting and waterproofing leather. That being said, I used Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP on a pair of Danner Mountain Assault's without experiencing any delamination of the rubber rand. I was careful not to apply it directly to the seam between the rand and the leather boot. If I do get any delamination I'm fine with using shoe goo to fix it.

 

[NEhunter]

Nikwax

 

[mtswampfox]

Used sno seal for years when living in the far north( indiana) and working where a strict shoe policy was the norm. Since retiring in the sunny south not as much need for it. My mucks get the call for wet weather. Total maintenance free

 

[NVCHUKAR]

Obenaufs here, i feel it soaks into the leather better than sno seal. I have a 4 year old pair of meindl that have a rand and have been treated primarily with OB's. The rand is perfectly fine except little chunks missing from sharp jagged nevada rocks.

 

[kyle1112]

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/2014/03/best-and-cheapest-way-waterproof-boots

 

[rileybassman]

Well I ordered up some Nikwas... so we will see how it goes down I also have another pair of boots that is mixed between leather and fabric so this seems like it is perhaps better tailored for both. Thanks all!

 

[Randle]

Kyle have you actually used a toilet wax ring? Does it work to waterproof boots?

 

[kyle1112]

Yes I have and yes it did, you gotta apply a couple times unless your leather is super warm and maybe do it twice anyway

 

[Randle]

Ok thanks are they the beeswax ones? Or can you even get beeswax ones now?

 

[kyle1112]

I do believe it was beeswax, one ring will last you a long time

 

[Randle]

Good I use obenhauf ' to treat my boots but watched their video that says it doesn't waterproof , they do make a water proof spray I might try but then I read this thread and saw your post thanks for the link.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Here are a couple products I've used for the last 4 or 5 years and have had really good results with them.