Best way to waterproof leather boots?

[Tom Anderson]

I have some Red Wing leather work boots that get quite wet when I'm walking in the early morning dew.  What would y'all recommend as the best way to make them a bit more waterproof...water repellent, at least?

[pintail_drake2004]

get the can of spray from wally-world. works great on my leather boots, tent, jackets, etc

[Jerry Jeffer]

I like mink oil or coon fat.

[JBiorn]

Go het some Obenauf'e oil and apply it till the boots won't take anymore. Let them dry and apply some Obenauf's paste wax or Sno-seal and apply it warm around the sole and at all sewn seams.

[Steertalker]

Nikwax or Snowshield

Let the boots and waterproofer warm up in the sun the liberally coat the boots.  Keep repeating the process until the boots won't absorb any more waterproofer.

Brett

[tim roberts]

Montana Pitch Blend, it is a combonation of pine pitch, beeswax, and mink oil.  No petroleum products added.  Great stuff!

[ishiwannabe]

Another vote for mink oil...doesnt spook deer either.

[Bonebuster]

I am a Water Well Drilling contractor here in Michigan. I stand in wet, muddy conditions for more hours per day than I like to think about.

First thing I do, is fully saturate the leather with Neatsfoot. This keeps the leather pliable.
Then dress them up with good old fashioned mink oil.

Just keep that routine, Neatsfoot, then mink oil. Water resistant is the best you can hope for without a Gore Tex type membrane. Even with Gore Tex, you must take care of the leather in the same way.

The spray is a quick fix, but won`t last as long as mink oil. Hope this helps.

[Otto]

Another vote here for Obenauf's.  I use it on all my Russell boots.

[Wudstix]

I like Smo-Seal bees wax.

[JEFF B]

i rub mutton fat on my hunting boots. works a treat. mind you if ya a all bear hunting mmmmmmmmm bear might hunt you.  

[Strutter]

I put some sno seal on some leather boots one time and my feet got more wet from sweat after I applied the stuff than before.  I've been buying the boots with goretex ever since and will not ever apply waterproofer again.  When I buy new boots, I put them on and stand in the tub and fill'er up to the boot tops to check for leaks.  Use hot water,then cold water.  Wife gets a kick out of seeing me do that but evidently something is broke when I do it cause she says something about a screw being loose. Anyway,I found one pair that leaked so I took them back.  Feet haven't got wet in years and I like it that way.

Rob

[Rick McGowan]

Check with Red Wing, there probably was a card with the boots, but different types of tanned leather need different treatments, ie silicone tanned should stay with silicone, oil tanned can use oil, grease or wax. They all need to be treated, even the Goretex ones or the leather will stiffen, crack and not last long.

[laddy]

If you use a blow drier and heat the leather and water proofing up a bit, it will penetrate better.  However, with Red Wings to much heat can undo the glue that keeps the sole glued to the upper.

[John Havard]

I've hunted in snow for many years and think I've tried them all at one time or another.  I have found that Obenauf's works better than any others for me.

[Smilingg]

Red Wing markets its own leather dressing, a familar combination of pine pitch, mink oil, and beeswax.

They have simply purchased the rights to Montana Pitch Blend, the best product I ever found for hunting boots because it won't spook deer.

Silcone or petroleum based products probably also work, but a lot of people report that they make game uneasy or worse.

If you are really going to be walking/standing in water, wouldn't it be wiser to wear rubber boots?

[Shape Shifter]

I definitely agree with Strutter. Snow seal doesn't allow water to enter, but it also traps perspiration. My feet got cold in no time with all the sweat built up.

[MikeP in WV]

Heat beef tallow and beeswax together until completely mixed...apply liberally until boot exterior resembles an arctic seal.

[Tom Anderson]

Thanks, guys.  I contacted Red Wing via e-mail and they recommend their "Red Wing Leather Protector" (of course).
Sounds like the right product, though.

g, I ain't planning on standing or walking in water - I do have rubber boots for that, but the morning dew will soak untreated leather just the same.

[Tom Anderson]

Weel, I went to my local Red Wing store today and the salesman swore by Obenauf's, so that's what I ended up with.  I've got 'em sopping wet with it now and waiting for them to dry.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.