Do your work boots or dress boots appear to be past their prime? Boot oil is a good preservative and treatment for leather boots, but which oil is the best? If you’ve recently purchased new boots, you may be wondering what you should do to keep them in good condition. Let’s look at why you should use oil on your leather boots. As well as our top 5 suggestions.
Explanation of Boot Oil
People often condition leather boots with oil. It will be produced with mink oil, beeswax, neatsfoot oil, or pine pitch, among other things. All of these are suitable for use on boots made of natural animal hide.
It keeps boots from drying out and cracking by waterproofing, moisturizing, and protecting them from the elements. Old boots can be given a new lease on life by soaking them in oil and making them supple again. It can help soften up a new pair of boots, reducing the amount of time they require to break in.
Mildew will not grow on your boots if you use boot oil. Mildew causes leather to deteriorate over time.
A good oil will permeate the leather and form a barrier that will keep water, harsh elements, and salt out. It will, however, allow the leather to breathe. It’s ideal for work boots that have been subjected to rigorous use, yet soft enough to use on your favorite dress boots.
Advantages of Using Boot Oil
There are numerous advantages to using a decent boot oil. These are some of them:
- Boot oil can help protect both new and worn boots by waterproofing and sealing them. It forms a barrier that keeps water out of the boots, extending their lifespan.
- Boot oil can be used to restore a variety of leather objects. Including your old dependable beloved boots. An old baseball mitt that has lost its elasticity can be re-fitted to fit like a glove. The stiffness of a leather jacket can be softened and made more comfortable.
- Resist abrasion: Leather that has been conditioned and is not dry or cracked is more likely to withstand wear and scuffing.
- Make them last longer by doing the following: Boots that aren’t oiled are vulnerable to the outdoors and daily wear. The leather may disintegrate more quickly, resulting in a shorter lifespan for your boots.
In-depth Reviews of Top 5 Boot Oil For Leather Boots
1. 100% Pure Neatsfoot oil from Bickmore
This product might easily be mistaken for a bottle of motor oil. It has a comparable shape and size to it.
The Bickmore horse emblem, on the other hand, immediately identifies it as a leather product rather than a car. Unless, of course, your car’s leather upholstery is in need of repair.
The 32-fluid-ounce bottle is extremely cost-effective. You’ll be able to treat all of your leather items, including your boots, with enough. Leather belts, handbags, wallets, equestrian equipment, and baseball gloves can all be refreshed.
The neatsfoot oil, which is 100 percent natural and comes from cattle, is a fantastic treatment for leather. It can aid weatherproofing by repelling water naturally. It will help soften and condition your boots’ leather.
This treatment, like most oil treatments, can darken the color of the material. To observe what effect it has, you might want to test a tiny area first. However, if your boots have scuff marks, they can be used to restore them to their original color.
Bickmore Neatsfoot oil is applied to a saddle in this video. About five minutes into the game, check out. The concept is comparable to how leather boots are used.
2. Sof Sole Mink Oil
The fat from mink pelts is used to make mink oil. It is useful for conditioning and polishing leather items, among other things. Saddles, shoes, handbags, jackets, harnesses, and, of course, boots can all benefit from it.
This oil, which comes in a 3.5-ounce tin, can help build a waterproof layer, preventing watermarks and salt discoloration. Using the oil will help to maintain your boots in good condition and your feet dry.
While this oil absorbs effectively into the boots, even after wiping it off, it can leave a waxy residue. Although the tin is small, they say that good things come in small packages and that a little goes a long way. After using this product, the leather may appear darker, but it will lighten over time.
3. Shoe oil from Huberd’s
In 1921, Huberd’s introduced its first grease-based shoe product. The firm, based in Oregon, added this shoe oil to its range in 1929. The oil is carefully blended in small amounts according to the company’s founder’s original requirements.
Because the oil contains beeswax. It is brownish and should not be used on white or light-colored leather. There are no solvents or additives in it that will cause the leather to degrade.
The oil not only conditions and waterproofs leather boots but also protects them against mildew and rotting. It also protects work boots from chemicals, mild acids, and workplace fuels by preventing them from drying out. Although the oil has a tiny smoky odor, if you don’t like it, simply oil your boots outside.
4. Leather Oil from Obenauf
This oil is a preservative and conditioner for leather products and boots, created by Marv Obenauf, a veteran firefighter. Beeswax, propolis (a resin produced by bees), and natural oils are used to make the oil. There are no silicones, petroleum paraffin, or solvents in this product.
The restorative characteristics of this oil will assist old, damaged, and dry leather boots. It also has conditions and waterproofs.
Do you have a pair of new boots that are taking a long time to break in? Obenauf’s oil can help them become more elastic, which will reduce the frequency of blisters they cause. Sore feet may be a thing of the past.
If the color of your boots is important to you, be warned that using oil may darken them slightly. However, it gives your boots a wonderful oiled tone of darker leather.
The 16-fluid-ounce bottle comes with an applicator to make the application simple.
5. Heritage all-natural boot oil from Redwing
Redwing is a well-known manufacturer of high-quality boots and shoes. It also makes its banded leather oil to aid in the maintenance of those leather goods.
It’s free of chemicals and silicone. Its gradient is natural oils. Including a special blend of pine pitch and mink oil.
Old leather boots can be revitalized by using the oil to condition them and give them a water-repellent sheen. It softens and extends the life of dry, damaged leather. Although designed for Redwing boots, it also works with other brands and varieties of leather.
This could be the product for you if you need to smooth out the appearance of scuffed-up boots. It also can reactivate water-repellent characteristics.
The oil, like many comparable compounds, may darken the leather. It’s preferable to start with a small, inconspicuous region.
What is the purpose of boot oil for leather boots?
There are several reasons why oiling your leather boots is beneficial. They are frequently a costly investment. Give them some gentle loving care if you want them to last as long as possible.
Consider how much you put your boots through. Rain, snow, and mud all leave stains and filth on your footwear as you walk. It’s not just bad weather that can harm them; the hot sun can dry up the leather and cause it to crack.
Polishing them may restore the appearance of your boots, but it isn’t a true leather boot conditioner. Leather is, after all, skin, and it, like your own, needs care and hydration. This will aid in its long-term durability and aesthetics.
How to take care of leather boots
Let’s look at how to utilize this product now that we know why we need to oil our leather boots and what the oil is.
1. What you’ll require
- Leather lubricant.
- Using a soft rag or an applicator, clean the surface.
- Use a damp towel or a horsehair brush to remove the dirt.
2. The procedure for lubricating leather boots
- Remove any grime or debris from your footwear. This can cause an uneven finish or prevent the oil from permeating the leather.
- Remove the laces from the shoe.
- Brush the boots with a horsehair brush or wipe them down with a moist towel.
- Before applying the oil, make sure the boots are completely dry.
- Apply a small amount of oil to an inconspicuous spot with a clean, dry cloth.
- Before going to oil the boots, make sure there hasn’t been any color change.
- Apply the oil evenly to the uppers of the boots with the cloth or the provided applicator.
- Pay special attention to the seams and make sure to apply oil into them.
- Don’t forget to lubricate the boot tongues.
- Apply the oil to the leather and rub it in.
- Don’t use too much oil on the leather. A second coat is always an option.
- Allow approximately an hour for the oil to infiltrate the leather of the boots.
- If you think it’s essential, apply a second coat.
- Wipe away any extra oil with a clean towel or a horsehair brush, then buff the boots.
How often should I lubricate my boots?
- The leather appears to be lighter in color and duller than it used to be.
- The boots are readily scuffed and may appear flaky due to scratches.
- Salt, water, and other harsh materials have dried on the boots, producing imprints.
- Broking and dry on the surface leather.
- The leather has lost its suppleness and now feels rigid.
Is it possible to oil the boot regularly?
As previously stated, a modest amount of oil will go a long way. An uneven, streaky surface can be achieved by using too much oil or oiling your boots too frequently. It can also clog the pores in the leather, making it less breathable.
Overly softening the leather might diminish its resilience, making it more susceptible to splitting and damage.
Conclusion
Taking care of your favorite shoes will protect your investment and help you get more wear out of them. There are a variety of oils to pick from, each with its unique set of beneficial components.
Obenhauf’s Leather Oil is my favorite out of the five we’ve highlighted. This product preserves, waterproofs, and conditions new and worn leather boots while still allowing them to breathe. The all-natural components come with a convenient applicator for simple application.
We hope you found our guide on the best leather boot oil useful. Please share your thoughts and experiences with us by leaving a comment.
