Thanks for all the advice! Protection: Boot oil can help waterproof and seal both new and old boots. Good move or not? I know this is all very confusing. Do you recommend using the RW Foam Leather cleaner prior to the Leather Cream? Wax based conditioners are best for hardwearing boots such as work and winter boots that frequently come into contact with harsh environments. It creates a barrier, preventing water from penetrating the boots, thus prolonging their life. Ive settled on 2 pairs for now, Red Wing 1907 rough and tough and am waiting for a pair of brown Wolverine 1000 miles. This 2-ingredient boot wax is cheap to make, has no chemicals, and works for all types of leather, including shoes, purses, wallets, and car seats! If using any one product will permanently and forever change the finish of the boot leather, then I would definitely not use it until I see the results of someone else make that mistake first. I used the leather lotion on my wife’s purse. 1973 (100ml). They are so popular in fact that they have their own tannery, S.B. Red Wing Boot Oil vs. Mink Oil: Conclusion, 10 Best Leather Repair Kits for DIY Renovation Projects. Ideal care for hunting, camping, farmers, outdoorsmen - ecofriendly boot wax that does not give off an unnatural scent to deter big game. For example, beeswax based boot oils may be better for dress boots while mink oil based boot oils are better suited for oil tanned leather boots. Step-by-step photo tutorials to guide you from start to finish. It has become a favorite for work boots, often doubling the service life. I don’t think you need a leather protector with this kind of leather to be honest, might not be great for the patina, especially if it has silicone. So it’s not a big deal if you do darken the leather or use the Boot Oil, or use the Mink Oil. Let your hobby grow into something more and make this world brighter! Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved by Leather Toolkits. Red Wing’s Leather Cream is what you want to go with. Good if you have Gortex leather boots which I do. The following two tabs change content below. Good luck! Please help us improve this review! I try to get to mine at least once a month, but sometimes I am working enough that it gets hard to do, so I slack off to every other month. Please help us improve this review! Dubbin, a contraction of the word ‘dubbing’ which describes the action of applying wax to leather (dub – to dress leather), dates back certainly to medieval times and is used to waterproof and soften leather.Whereas polish is a more cosmetic shoe/boot treatment dubbin is more about functionality, being rubbed into rather than onto the leather. If you want help deciding exactly which boots are for you, let’s talk! Like all high-quality fashion products built to last, Red Wing boots require some break-in time — here's how to ensure the perfect fit, for a lifetime of comfortable wear. ], Red Wing is an enormously popular brand of both work and heritage boots, so popular that the term “red wing boots” receives about as much search volume on Google as just the words “men’s boots” — more than Wolverine, Frye, and Alden put together. And so in doing so, it sort of produces this slightly more water resistant, weather resistant layer to the boots. Glad you like the videos Neil, my apologies to your credit card! Leather Oil: a liquid version with the same ingredients but, a different ratio of beeswax and Propolis to oil. Mink Oil has lanolin, and the mink oil and the silicone. The reason for this is that mink oil penetrates the leather deeply and clogs the pores, forming something of a weather resistant layer on the outside. Learn how to care for your fabric and leather with all natural Otter Wax products. This has generally netted me a year and a half to two years out of my boots, under some of the worst work conditions for boots. So that’s all. So, which is better? The wax is very effective for a couple of weeks and by the third week you can tell that the waterproofing has diminished. Our All Natural Boot Oil is an 8 oz. Wax Vs Cream Polish. $17.95 The best dressing and waterproofing for all Kenetrek boots. I need to emphasize again that darkening doesn’t mean you’ve damaged the leather. Experts always takes care of their tools because they know their tools take care of them. It conditions and moisturizes the leather, helping it to last for as long as possible, all without coloring the leather or penetrating as deeply as the other products. FEATURES Durable protectionBreathableUses natural beeswax for enhanced performanceAdds rain, stain and oil protectionSoft formulation makes it easy to applyPFC-freeBluesign® approvedSuitable forGore-tex® and eVent®All Leather footwearAll leather accessories Historically it’s been used as a wood preservative. If you’re going to be in a really tough winter, things like that. While I understand that many folks consider using silicone on their leather as taboo, the reality is that many of the chrome tanned leather products on the market, including many of the Red Wing work boots, are re-tanned after the initial chrome tan process, using silicone. I found it super helpful in making my boot conditioning choices. Leather boot care oil, mineral, wax based vs silicone treatment / waterproofing 12-21-2017, 06:11 PM I own a pair of Field and Stream leather boots and also several other brand boots including Irish Setters, Red Wings, Military Desert Boots, Matterhorn Vibram Moc-Toe Upland Boots and two pairs of Carolina boots. The reason for that is that it clogs the pores. Something you do often hear about pine pitch is that when it’s combined with mink oil it helps the mink oil to stay in the boot for longer, which is why it’s said to be a tad better for conditioning while also meant to make the boots more able to withstand extreme temperatures. The downside is that because it is much more gentle, it does not condition quite as deeply, doesn’t quite sink into the boot quite as much. Cotton Chamois Cloth. It’s a great way to stop most of the contaminants that may hurt your boots. If you want to smooth out abrasions etc. I’m not 100% sold on the Wolverines but i got them for a steal so I should be able to move them on without much of a hit. I do have a question though. Steve ColtharpHello, my name is Steve and I’m an author of the blog “Leather Toolkits“. Leather Oil: a liquid version with the same ingredients but, a different ratio of beeswax and Propolis to oil. [Pick up some Red Wing Mink Oil on Amazon here.]. By day: Manhattan-based journalist with reporting experience on four continents, published in Vice, Men's Health, Popular Science, and a bunch of other places.By night: ravenous consumer of anything and everything related to high end men's boots.Stridewise is where I nurture a maniacal obsession with footwear and share my findings. This site uses cookies. 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. Hot stuffing heats oil, wax, and/or grease and forces them into the hide. I would suppose the boot oil dressing stuff is neatsfoot oil (Bovine synovial fluid) with some wax in there. No messy grease, oil, or spray to deal with. It is an oil that has been specially designed for Red Wing… As a utility lineman, I spend a lot of time outside under harsh conditions at work. Pine pitch has had many uses over the years, including as a popular topical ointment for eczema and other skin conditions, but it also has a long history of being used as a preservative. I’m afraid that everyone I spoke to was pretty split on what the difference is as far as the effects of Mink Oil and Boot Oil go. Use to deter and repel any moisture or … Some people say Mink Oil is absolutely best, and others say the Boot Oil is. Kenetrek’s boot wax for waterproofing & leather treatment. of treatment. Mink oil provides maximum protection against snow, slush, and sidewalk salt, but it can also darken leather. There’s no silicone in this either. [These are my first boots — don’t miss my review of these Red Wing Moc Toe boots in the Rough and Tough leather.]. [Love the look? After the boots were clean and dry I began to work the boot wax into each boot with a rag. It’s for people who care more about the boot’s weather resistance than like the luster and patina of the leather and how it ages and how beautiful it’s going to look at the time. Mink Oil and Boot Oil are great for toughening your boots to the elements but if you want to maintain your color, Leather Cream is definitely your best bet. [Pick up some Red Wing Mink Oil on Amazon here.] Oil is different than polish, in that the latter is usually wax or silicone-based, needed for final finish more than waterproofing or replenishing moisture. [survey_answers id="445003489" style="piechart" legend="true"] [survey_answers id="445003489" qid="1" aid="1" style="plain" data="answer_percentage"] of users selected [survey_answers id="445003489" qid="1" aid="1" style="plain" data="answer"], [survey_answers id="445003489" qid="1" aid="2"…, [pricingtable id="2273"] Choose the Best Leather Repair Kit[modalsurvey id="1169829725" style="flat"] Customer's Choice: the Best Rated Leather Repair Kits [survey_answers id="1169829725" style="plain" data="score"] users answered this survey. Some types of wax (Venetian Shoe Cream has like six of them) can soften, others are better for shine, etc. I’m interested to hear more about how the tanning process plays into the equation of leather water proofing (vegetable tanned vs. oil … Both wax and oil are extracted from the marijuana plant but wax is far more potent. Pick up your own Red Wing Iron Rangers on Amazon.]. That the first item of clothing a date looks at is your shoes. Hi Nick, Nice info. It’s going to do a better job of maintaining the color. https://leather-toolkits.com/reviews/red-wing-boot-oil-vs-mink-oil I use Cobbler’s Choice leather spot cleaner myself, it’s pretty gentle. In fact, it does condition them and it protects them against the elements and everything like that. It readily absorbs into any kind of leather and stays in the leather longer than other treatments. It’s unusual among animal fats because it’s super high in unsaturated fats: 75 percent of it is unsaturated, but it has better stability than other unsaturated fats like vegetable oils. Only use wax if you encounter severely wet conditions. [Read my review of the tough as nails Red Wing Iron Ranger here! Now, neither of these products are going to technically waterproof the boots. Smoothing out the abrasions on the leather surface? You don’t need to make quite as many purchases. Often referred to as, "obenaufs lp boot preservative", or just "lp", Heavy Duty LP is our original conditioning cream. So does that mean you should try the Boot Oil? Plus, if I'm going to spend that much on boots, I'm going to go with what the manufacturer recommends first. will dramatically change the appearance. Some said the Boot Oil is more ideal for dry climates, others said there’s no real practical difference. Follow my newsletter and you'll first get the newest articles! After doing that 2 times I was finished. Depending on your preference, you can even use all three shoe-care products. Both oil and wax extracts are called oleoresins. We do really want to emphasize you are not damaging your leather by darkening it. And do you also recommend finishing off with the leather protector? Once the boots are dry, apply a water-based sealant or nicks boot oil. Weatherproofing boots is important for maintaining color and durability, but using the right oil to do the job is one of the most important parts. If you go with the rough-out Hawthorne, then dubbing, etc. So should you use Boot Oil? Browse Boots Pharmaceuticals Olive Oil B.P. It darkened them a ton and over the years I’ve often said to myself, “If only I’d use mink oil then this wouldn’t have happened.”. Wax polishes are primarily used to bring up the shine in the leather shoe; the high concentration of hard waxes in a wax polish is what allows you to produce a high gloss shine. Hi Nick, thank you for the helpful information. It’s much more gentle on the boots, does a great job of conditioning them, and also maintain that color. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve ruined your boots unless you’re someone who prioritizes that patina and the changing of colors and everything as leather ages again. Don’t lose your Red Wings to the wrong conditioner. He … It only richened the brown color. Grab your own tub of it here. And for a lot of people, that’s the priority. I like to support Montana retailers. They do have some new bark, and they have some rough out. After 12-24 hours, wipe the oil off your boots. If maintaining the color is your priority, the Leather Cream is definitely the best one to do it, but you may find you need to condition them more often just because you aren’t quite moisturizing it quite as deeply as the other products. Rub between your hands that the warmth of your skin will soften it so that you can caress the Huberd’s into the leather. However, a wax polish does not offer the same level of nourishing and conditioning as a cream polish does. My research led me to Kenetrek Waterproofing Boot Wax. Mink Oil will darken your boots by about two to three shades. So it’ll still darken the leather, it’s not all that different to the Boot Oil. You then use a lighter to melt the wax while it is on the boot. Hey Jake, honestly, if the manufacturers recommend NikWax it’s probably worth just going with them. There are many 2-in-1 shoe cream and conditioners available, but shoe conditioner is the most moisturizing and can be used in combination with shoe cream or shoe wax. It may not be as effective as the old Kiwi Mink Oil, but this Oregon Trail Boot wax is way better than the latest Kiwi Mink Oil … Huberd Shoe Grease Company manufactures small batch treatments designed to waterproof, protect, and restore your boots, shoes, and leather products from water damage and drying. This mink oil mixture comes in a small resealable tin. A lot of people said that the Mink Oil is more about weatherproofing, whereas the leather oil, the Boot Oil, is going to do a better job of conditioning and weatherproofing. We recommend testing this product on a small, inconspicuous area of your footwear to determine how much it may darken … For reconditioning black, smooth-finish leathers. If your someone looking to waterproof and restore your leather footwear, Sof Sole is definitely a viable option. A boot oil or solvent based conditioner will be better suited for dress or casual boots to prep them for shining. Note the two tones. A soft, easy-to-apply wax, with natural beeswax, ensuring durable water-repellency and nourishment for all leather footwear. This premium dressing is formulated to keep smooth black leather from drying and cracking and should be used to re-condition boots after hard use. Use oil on oil impregnated boots. Just not super durable. How the Heck Do I Take Care of Chromexcel Leather? If you want something more gentle, something that will maintain the color, get you a nice, rich patina, and keep your boots from winding up like mine? At the top of our list is the Red Wing Heritage Mink Oil. On the other hand, our Leather Oil provides a quick nourishing treatment that also gives the leather a bit more shine, but needs to be applied more frequently because it doesn't get sealed in with the layer of wax like our Leather Salve. Made with a combination of natural oils, beeswax, and other "special" ingredients, it conditions and waterproofs the leather on your favorite boots. It is different from shoe polish, which is used to impart shine and colour to leather.. Dubbin can be made with beeswax; fish oil; and lard, and can also include mink oil. 32 users answered this survey. If you just want to condition and moisturize your boots without them darkening, you might think about using Red Wing’s Leather Conditioner, which is a paste with ingredients that are pretty much the same as the Boot Oil with a little beeswax added to it for even more weather resistance. It consists of natural wax, oil and tallow.Dubbin has been used since medieval times to waterproof and soften leather boots. Yes, silicone. RW recommends their boot oil or mink oil on their website for oiled leathers (the amber harness color is an oiled leather). That there are a lot of subtle differences between boys and men but a well put together outfit with a sturdy pair of boots is one of the clearest signs that a guy cares how he is perceived by the world. Thank you. Heavy Duty LP : is in a cream form that is a time release formula wherein the natural oils are suspended in the wax and Propolis and gradually seep out over a long period. I read the packaging and apparently NikWax won’t clog pores allowing the leather breathe while still waterproofing. I’m aware that some leather snobs might disagree with this, but one hundred percent of Red Wing’s representatives I spoke with said that whether you’ve got their famous Amber Harness or their Charcoal Rough and Tough or a different Heritage leather, if it’s oil tanned then this article applies to you. Ole Time Woodsman Boot Grease has revived the old 1800's leather preservation and waterproofing formula that trappers, hunters, logging crews, and the U.S. Calvary used to protect boots and saddles. But generally speaking, you can use the same products on their leathers like the Amber Harness and the Rough & Tough. Instead, place the boots in a cool, well-ventilated area and allow them to dry overnight. 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