whats the best boot care product

[ashtons99]

I got some chameau mouflons for xmas and want to try and keep them in good shape.

 

Any recommendations?

[felly100]

Nikwax applied with a cloth works for me.

[fullbore]

Lundhags bear grease

[clayman]

Reflex Grasso Foca is natural Seal Grease - if that keeps a Seal supple, warm, and waterproof - it has to be the best! Good on leather and porous fabrics. On fleabay.

[fieldwanderer]

if propper leather I preffer dubbin - it's been used for that long it must be good

[ashtons99]

thanks guys, food for thought

[pigglet]

Do NOT use dubbing or any petroleum based product.

It will eventually knacker the leather and if it has a goretex/waterproof membrane then it will ****** that in short order too.

 

I've used the following and rated them in order of preference

 

1 Zamberlan Hydrobloc. Superb stuff, easy to apply and lasts ages

2 Ledder gris (basicalt the same as bear grease)

3 Nikwax

[Dougy]

I differ from your opinion there pigglet, allthough i have not got labratory evidence, i find it hard to believe that a product like "Dubbin" that has been used for over 50 years

(that i know of) has not been taken off the shelves or gone bust due to lack of sales. I have personaly used Dubbin on my boots also another product "G-Wax" from grangers, they have both been used on boots that have lasted over 10years a pair the best pair i have had for 12.5 years and its the soles that go not the upper leather,(i could get them re-soled but they wont be as waterproof.

 

So i am going to say either G-Wax or Dubbin

[pigglet]

I differ from your opinion there pigglet, allthough i have not got labratory evidence, i find it hard to believe that a product like "Dubbin" that has been used for over 50 years

(that i know of) has not been taken off the shelves or gone bust due to lack of sales. I have personaly used Dubbin on my boots also another product "G-Wax" from grangers, they have both been used on boots that have lasted over 10years a pair the best pair i have had for 12.5 years and its the soles that go not the upper leather,(i could get them re-soled but they wont be as waterproof.

 

So i am going to say either G-Wax or Dubbin

 

The problem with dubbin is that it removes the leathers natural oils.

If re-applied regularly to plain leather boots it's not too much of an issue but if you were to use dubbin sporadically and let the leather dry out it is much more likely to crack.

If a boot has a goretex/sympatex or other waterproof membrane then i can pretty much guarantee the manufacturer will not honour any waranty if dubbin has been used.

Most natural products are ok but if in doubt make sure they are goretex approved.

Ask any good footwear manufacturer or specialist retailer (not some numpty who works in a chain shop) and they will tell you the same.

I'm not trying to p!££ on anyones chips, rather trying to prolong the life of your expensive footwear B)

Edited December 28, 2009 by pigglet

[ziplex]

The problem with dubbin is that it removes the leathers natural oils.

If re-applied regularly to plain leather boots it's not too much of an issue but if you were to use dubbin sporadically and let the leather dry out it is much more likely to crack.

If a boot has a goretex/sympatex or other waterproof membrane then i can pretty much guarantee the manufacturer will not honour any waranty if dubbin has been used.

Most natural products are ok but if in doubt make sure they are goretex approved.

Ask any good footwear manufacturer or specialist retailer (not some numpty who works in a chain shop) and they will tell you the same.

I'm not trying to p!££ on anyones chips, rather trying to prolong the life of your expensive footwear

 

Likewise I ordered some Brasher conditioning cream for a pair of Rockport shoes, thought it was good stuff until it dried them out and they are now all crazed/dry down the sides On another pair of Rockport boots which i've had for 15 years I recently applied dubbin, you have me worried now so i've ordered some of the Hydrobloc stuff you mentioned.......hope it works as I can't find the conditioning cream i've used for over 10 years now.

[Glensman]

I splashed out on a pair of Brashers yesterday and was wondering this Very same thing. The have Goretex so what's the consensus on what to use?

[pigglet]

Here's a link for the zamberlan stuff if you want to give it a try:

http://www.osmotherleywalkingshop.co.uk/accessories.html

 

The reason I rate the zamberlan stuff above the others is that it is relatively thin so absorbs easily and stays supple without drying hard like the leather gris or nikwax products. It lasts well too.

[edge]

I use Nikwax. When applied with a cloth, it didn't get absorbed very easily. Now I rub it in with my hands. The warmth seems to make the Nikwax go into all the little corners much better. You do end up with a waterproof hand that takes a bit of cleaning, but I think it's worth it.