What do you put on your new boots?

[The Silent Stalker]

I just got my new Cabella's Fit IQ by Meindl and was wondering what you guys think is the best stuff to protect them. And by the way, they feel awesome, I love em. Just got to start breaking them in quick now but want to put something on them first. What are you guys all using?

[showtime]

miles..................lots of miles

[bcsteve]

Obenauf's LP

[solo]

I use snow seal on my Meindls. Have had a few pairs over the last few decades.

[sheephunterab]

Nothing to start.....

[longstonec]

dirt, and dubbin.

[skuntor]

Kenetreck boot wax.

[gutpile]

bear grease

[300rum700]

Any bees wax based treatment just like meindl recommends. I had a pair of boots replaced because I followed manufacture recommendations on proper care so it's worth the extra effort.

[elksmasher]

Redwing products work well,as well as nikwax

[digger dogger]

Obenauf's LP
It doesn't rot threads, I had to order mine from Lathrop & Sons

[BiG Boar]

it seems like there are some treatments that eat the threads, there are others that will clog the gore tex, there are others that will dry out the leather. I put nothing on my last good pair of boots. I figured if they needed something on them, a pair of $300 boots would have come with something on them!

[bcsteve]

It doesn't rot threads, I had to order mine from Lathrop & Sons

Pick up a can at Cabelas when I picked up my Meindl. Doesn't rot threads, bee wax base and recommended for Goretex. I love that stuff.

[Foxton Gundogs]

After over 45 years of conditioning all types of leather gear(saddles and tack, boots, clothing etc) I can state without question the only stuff to use is Coach-O-Line. Its available at most tack stores. Waterproofs, softens, protects and will not rot stitching. warm your boots up in the oven on low, smear the Coach-O-Line on liberaly, taking care to get it in all crevaces and overlatps (don't let the pink color put you off it doesn't stay that way lol) put the boots back in the oven for a while. let cool then go and put the miles on. I guarantee that if you treat your boots with this stuff regularly the soles will wear out long before the leather cracks or splits.

[JeffR]

My brother was a letter carrier in Calgary for years, and you can imagine all the snow and slop those guys hike through on a daily basis. He used to use snow seal on all his boots, but a few years back switched to Nikwax Aqueous wax. It soaks in easier, and lasts longer. You can even put it on where the boot is wet, and no need to warm the boots up like with snow seal. I use it on all my boots and it works great. Best stuff I have found by far.

[BiG Boar]

After over 45 years of conditioning all types of leather gear(saddles and tack, boots, clothing etc) I can state without question the only stuff to use is Coach-O-Line. Its available at most tack stores. Waterproofs, softens, protects and will not rot stitching.

Are you thinking of ko-cho-line?

Either way people, after looking at most of the recommendations here, including nikwax, Obenauf's, and sno-seal, they are actually all just beeswax based products. Which is why the boots are heated up, so the wax melts into the leather. These were also made at a time when boots did not have a gore tex liner. Not that the liner actually lasts that long.

[RiverOtter]

I've tried used damn near every boot sealer over the years, but anymore just treat with plain old mink oil and carry on......

[Jagermeister]

NIKWAX Waterproofing for leather.

[Wackman]

I have used red wing "nature seal" for my gore Tex boots and
it works great. Snow seal has worked well over the years
as well.

[358mag]

Lots of miles is what I put on my boots.......:-D

[Bisonfirst]

Another vote for obenaufs LP

[Ovis17]

Run a google search on Meindl sportwax.

[GoatGuy]

Lots of miles is what I put on my boots.......:-D

I heard those were all on your golfing shoes.

[swampthing]

I am very surprised no one has told you to put a product called seam grip on all the seams. Do this when the boots are shiny new. It protects the threads with it rubbery coating and adds waterproofing to the leather. On cheap boots this will double the life of them. It will add a good 25% to the life of premium boots. Clean them well and do this every year, pre-season. I use kenetrek wax on the rest of the leather. Your welcome.

[BCRiverBoater]

I have had good luck with Sno Seal. I apply several coats while warming them in the oven.

[MuleyStalker]

I would definitely recommend putting seam grip or Freesole urethane repair on all your seams. I even run a small bead along the edges of the randing. It will make your boots last much longer. I am in construction and do the same thing to my work boots and the life of my boots has doubled. As for waterproofing, the manufacturer recommended a bees wax so I used sno-seal. My boots are made with Idro-Perwanger leather so I actually doubled checked with the leather manufacturer.