Best Boot and Leather glove Waterproof

The boot post got me to thinking its about time I pull out the winter boots and chopper Mitts and get some fresh Waterproofing product on them. What are all of you using? In the past I always used Sno Seal. The last few years I used a product created by firemen called Obenauf’s Leather protection. Both have worked really well for me. It helps to warm the product that you are applying it to. I have used a Hair dryer in the past as well as just warming the item in the oven ( Be careful to not overheat or forget them in there ) What I did last year was to use my chopper mitts to apply the product to my boots. I then finished up by doing the rest of the chopper mitts. I also like to heat the finished item a little after I’m done. I think the heating process allows the product to work a little deeper into the leather and the stitching. I use to use Mink oil, but was told by a person who’s worked in the footwear business to never use a product with animal fat. Said it will breakdown the leather over time.

Attachments:

1. 

   Sno-Seal.jpg
   

2. 

   Obenaufs-Leather-Conditioner.jpg
   

Sno Seal has always worked for me. I do use boot oil too, mink oil or some liquid stuff they sell at RedWing boot stores under their name.

I’ve been using Sno Seal for several years and have been pleased.

I have an adjustable heat gun that works well.

A friend of mine rendered some bear fat several years ago and gave me a quart of it. He claimed it was the best for leather treatment/waterproofing. It’s all I use now, and I agree – it’s the best I used. An all natural animal based product to preserve a natural animal product…..seems to make logical sense to me.

Did the person who worked in the footwear business also happen to sell the other product?

Timmy wrote:

Did the person who worked in the footwear business also happen to sell the other product?

The place he worked sold lots of care products including those with Animal fat. He said animal fat ( Bear, Mink ) does not last as long, Goes Rancid over time and Thus breaks down the leather. He said it also leaves a heavy scent for those who are worried about scent while hunting. Doing some research on the internet like most things you find good and bad on animal fat use for waterproofing and conditioning leather boots. If its worked well for you – No reason to change

I used to help a farmer down the road sheer sheep. That really made the boots supple and waterproof.

Timmy wrote:

A friend of mine rendered some bear fat several years ago and gave me a quart of it. He claimed it was the best for leather treatment/waterproofing. It’s all I use now, and I agree – it’s the best I used. An all natural animal based product to preserve a natural animal product…..seems to make logical sense to me.

Did the person who worked in the footwear business also happen to sell the other product?

I agree here. Bear fat was fabulous for water proofing things.

The worse part was rendering the fat down. Sorry thumper we’ve used alot of bear fat and it never broke down the leather.

Long ago before Gore-Tex … I was a snow seal paste guy.

Now it is this: Atsko Sno-Seal Water-Guard Extreme Repellent Aerosol

Sno seal, when I started using it 30 years ago the instructions said to heat them in the oven but don’t anymore, probably liability reasons. IMO wax works much better than fats/oils but use what works for you.

muskie-tim wrote:

I used to help a farmer down the road sheer sheep. That really made the boots supple and waterproof.

I’ll bet it made your hands soft, too. Lanolin is incredible stuff.

onestout wrote:

Sno seal, when I started using it 30 years ago the instructions said to heat them in the oven but don’t anymore, probably liability reasons. IMO wax works much better than fats/oils but use what works for you.

The sno seal can I have definitely says to heat boots in the oven… it’s maybe a year or 2 old.

Any animal fat has to turn rancid doesn’t it? Never tried it.

Snow seal user too. If I get lazy I just use the Camp Dry spray.