# How to Waterproof Leather **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 31, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209 "2018-05-31T18:12:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![molten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ec9cab/32.png) [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/1 "2018-05-31T18:12:07Z")
I am looking to waterproof a pair of boots, shoes, and gloves. I have heard of a weird method involving melting beeswax and spreading it with a cloth? how would such leather be conditioned afterwards…? I have the product “Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy Duty Water Repellent” – would it work for this purpose? ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/2 "2018-05-31T18:32:35Z")
Mink oil works great. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/3 "2018-05-31T18:50:49Z")
You should try to match the waterproofing the to method of tanning the leather. They are not all the same. Contact the manufacturer and they will tell you what they recommend. If you can’t do that, there are several general purpose sealants out there. Sno Seal used to be the go to brand, but there are better products on the market these days that are more breathable and won’t make your feet sweat as much. I wouldn’t use Sno Seal on gloves. ---
**Author:** ![HipGnosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/76d3ee/32.png) [@HipGnosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HipGnosis)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/4 "2018-06-02T01:34:55Z")
Read and follow this; [The guide to waterproofing your work boots - Workbootcritic.com](https://www.workbootcritic.com/waterproofing-guide/) ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/5 "2018-06-02T04:49:09Z")
My preferred method is to use Lexol cleaner first, then Lexol conditioner, then finish up with two coats of Obenauf’s leather preservative. The Obenauf’s has beeswax in it. It’s time consuming but the results are great. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/6 "2018-06-02T05:05:50Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Mink oil works great. That’s good. Also SNO-SEAL. Really though, leather is not going to be water PROF. Not meant to be. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/7 "2018-06-02T05:32:08Z")
Treating leather with this type of stuff is not magic. There are trade-offs involved - breathability goes down is the main one. Also, as far as I’m aware, the treatments are not permanent - you do need to keep re-applying. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/8 "2018-06-02T13:46:33Z")
100% real bear grease as the only ingredient. Also needs reapplication. The stinky smell means you are 😉 a real bad ass. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/9 "2018-06-02T15:57:52Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Mink oil works great. But stinks to high heaven. I usually use [Neatsfoot Oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neatsfoot_oil) in circumstances where I don’t want to use something super-heavy. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-waterproof-leather/815209/10 "2018-06-02T16:10:38Z")
Neatsfoot oil - great stuff for conditioning leather