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Author
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Topic: waterproofing boots
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 12, 2013 11:19 AM
My best boots, a pair of Danners that I don't even see advertised anymore, are all leather and insulated.
They get all scuffed up and every once in a while, I get energetic and decide to take care of them.
So, I removed the laces and washed them and dried them and here is what's different.
In the past I was always using Gokes Indian dressing, an Orvis product. Well, I don't have any so I got something called Sno Seal. It 's a waxy type of thing and I applied it with a toothbrush. (the flavor lasts a long time)
Worked it in and rubbed it and then used my wife's hair dryer, which I never threw away and knew I would have a use for it some day. So, I melted that stuff and spent quite a bit of time on it and when finished, I used a regular shoe brush and actually washed the laces.
So, they are ready to go. Give myself a gold star.
I want to know what you guys use for winter conditions when you aren't wearing rubber or plastic or fabric footwear? What do you use on boots, mink oil, silicone or what?
Good hunting. El Bee
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32365 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Okanagan
Budding Spin Doctor
Member # 870
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posted January 12, 2013 11:39 AM
Good on you for taking care of boots. I need to do mine and it is a good reminder!
Pure bees wax is the best I've used. It is a little harder to apply but lasts for ages. It is best applied to new boots that have not had previous treatments, or to well cleaned boots as you did yours. The refined stuff from a craft store is easier to apply than unpurified amber stuff from a hive. It toughens leather against abrasion also.
Sno seal is good and has been a standard for years, but better products have come along since it came out. It has a solvent in it to make it easier to work with. It doesn't last nearly as long in really wet abrasive snow, scree and brush conditions as several other products. Obeneufs (sp) is very good. Bee Seal Plus is excellent if you can find it. I think they are out of business. I think that all of these have additives to bees wax which make them easier to apply and reduces their effectiveness IME. Mink oil, Neets foot etc. soften leather more than I like.
When in a hurry I have used the Nikwax liquid from REI that looks like milk and paints on. That applies best when the boot leather is wet. It is silicone and has surpassed my expectations for waterproofing and how long it lasts-- and it it super quick and easy to apply.
[ January 12, 2013, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: Okanagan ]
Posts: 269 | From: 49th Parrallel | Registered: Jun 2006
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Rich
2,000th post PAKMAN
Member # 112
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posted January 12, 2013 12:13 PM
I gave up a very long time ago concerning the various water proofing products. None of them really water proof your boots. Gortex lined boots are what I wear. Insulated, Gortex lined leather boots just plain work.
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If you call the coyotes in close, you won't NEED a high dollar range finder.
Posts: 2854 | From: Iowa | Registered: Feb 2003
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Dave Allen
Hi, I'm SUPER DAVE, IN CHARGE OF Q STUFF (and Goat Leader) "I'm really not trying to be a dick".
Member # 3102
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posted January 12, 2013 12:27 PM
Interesting..I'm sitting here in the house, was "zero" degrees about 2 hours ago, thinking the same thing.
I have a pair of Danners, I bought a few years ago. Made in China ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Anyway, now they after spreading "ice melt" and such lately, and walking in snow, now have a "white" kinda looks like alkalia outline to them, hard to explain..
I keep rubbing them down with Obenauf's and doesn't make any difference, thay look like shit. I planned on going to the Farm-Ranch store, I bought them from today and seeing if they suggest something else.
Obenauf's is made here in Idaho, and heard nothing but good about them. We will see, I guess ?
(Edit) again, mine are Gore-Tex, and Indeed are waterproof, walking across creeks and in snow. Just don't like how they look, might be the leather ? Oh' well, I suppose boots are not intended to be in a beauty contest..Lol
[ January 12, 2013, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Dave Allen ]
Posts: 1986 | From: Jordan Valley Oregon | Registered: Aug 2008
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted January 12, 2013 12:52 PM
I also have used sno-seal and have used a hairdryer to do the same as Leonard. I get the wax in a liquid form and just keep working it into the leather as thats were it will do the most good.. A saddle soap or mink wax will give simular results. The down side to sno-seal is if you get too much of a build up it will crack and peel off in the very cold temp.s. I tried silicone which works well if applied to snow shoes to help wick the snow off of them as you move about but don't like to use it on boots if you are walking on hard snow, makes them slippery as hell....
As of late I stopped useing most of the stuff as my boots usually don't make it past a season, the bottoms wear out or a seam seperates so I have to replace them come fall. I have used most every brand of boot out there and have'nt found one that makes it past one or two seasons, but keep in mind I don't use or wear any that will weigh you down. I like them insulated but have to be lite as well.. I do have one pair of heavies that have been around for a few years but they only get used when I don't have to walk very far and when the temp.s go below -0. Also have a pair of mukluks but use them only on certain occasions when really cold and have to sit on stand for a long spell. They are made of a canvas with a very thick liner and rubber sole and I don't want to wear them out as they are spendy to replace, so there use is limited..
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5616 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted January 12, 2013 01:11 PM
Obenauf's heavy duty LP on all if my boots and it's treated me well.
[ January 12, 2013, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: TundraWookie ]
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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trapper2
Knows what it's all about
Member # 3651
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posted January 12, 2013 01:22 PM
leonand,i use the obenaufs heavy duty, i wear the russells and love them, should have another pair here in the next couple weeks, so thats where i get mine, i think kelly uses it too, i dont know where he gets it, i sure like it
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nothing is politically correct if its morally wrong
Posts: 248 | From: okla | Registered: Sep 2010
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jimanaz
2nd Place RICHARD FARNSWORTH LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3689
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posted January 12, 2013 01:47 PM
Don't know if it makes any difference what so ever, but I put my boots in the oven set to warm for a spell before applying Sno-Seal.
Posts: 940 | From: AZ | Registered: Oct 2010
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Cayotaytalker
DOES NOT TEACH/SUSPECTED OKIE
Member # 1954
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posted January 12, 2013 02:02 PM
Leonard nice post I my self have apair of Dr. Martens Steel Toe boots pull on's. I just used mink oil from Wall Mart. I put the mink oil on with a rag and worked it in the best I could.
The truth is I'm not even sure they needed it. I have just used chain oil in the past for red wings pull on's. In my case my work boots are my hunting boots.
While I don't really have any thing worth while to add. I do think it's wise to keep your old boots on hand so if you foot gets sore you switch back to the old pair.
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Now thats prime coyote country!
Posts: 403 | From: LasVegas Nevada | Registered: Oct 2007
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted January 12, 2013 02:23 PM
quote:
Don't know if it makes any difference what so ever, but I put my boots in the oven set to warm for a spell before applying Sno-Seal.
I did it the same Jim when I first used the stuff, but the wife did'nt like it much and went so far as to bring them out to the dinner table on a tray when I forgot about them.. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5616 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 12, 2013 02:23 PM
While I was applying and blow drying my boots, all I could think of was spit shining, in the Army. We didn't have hairdryers, we used candle wax and Esquire boot polish in a melted mixture and held the boots under a flame. They weren't necessarily to wear, they were for display.
That Gokey Indian Dressing must not be made any more. The guy at Orvis said they get an inquiry once in a while but they have not carried it in quite a while. He had no suggestions but that Obenauf's looks very similar, so I think I will get some.
Good hunting. El Bee
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32365 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Prune Picker
AR Forum Assistant Moderator-handgun GURU and dispenser of sage advice
Member # 4107
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posted January 12, 2013 02:29 PM
I put the Snoseal in a pot of water and heat it on the stove to appx 180f. before using it. I then use Kiwi Camp Dry silicone spray on the laces, seams & fabric (nylon?). Not sure if it's necessary to use both , but i do. I also use the camp dry on my vests, jackets, hats & gloves to waterproof because it seems to work.
I will look for the Obenauf's to try, Thanks for the info.
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mike
Posts: 1265 | From: "Oklahomie" | Registered: Mar 2012
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
Member # 3588
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posted January 12, 2013 05:22 PM
I picked up a couple tins of Australian "original" Leather Seal at an outdoor show years back. Works fine on just about anything leather. I bake my boots in a cool oven, same as Jimzy, then massage it in. I believe its pure beeswax...
Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010
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Kelly Jackson
SECOND PLACE/GARTH BROOKS LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST
Member # 977
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posted January 12, 2013 05:55 PM
obenaufs heavy duty, has worked well for me.
You will like it LB.
kj
Posts: 997 | From: Comanche OK | Registered: Oct 2006
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3 Toes
El Guapo
Member # 1327
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posted January 12, 2013 07:18 PM
I like the Obenhaufs also. I don't like snow seal. It just doesn't last or penetrate well no matter the method.
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Violence may not be the best option....
But it is still an option.
Posts: 1034 | From: out yonder | Registered: Apr 2007
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 12, 2013 08:03 PM
Well, as I was applying it, that was the general impression I had. (on snow seal) But, it's what I had and I'm assuming it's better than nothing.
Good hunting. El Bee
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32365 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Okanagan
Budding Spin Doctor
Member # 870
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posted January 12, 2013 09:24 PM
One caution about warming boots in an oven: a cobbler told me that leather begins to bake at 140 degrees. Don't know if that is true but it is easy to overdo and make the leather prone to cracks.
Posts: 269 | From: 49th Parrallel | Registered: Jun 2006
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Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
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posted January 13, 2013 09:17 AM
Same concern with a hair dryer & the Gore-Tex liner. Too much heat and the thin membrane melts.
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And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
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