# What kind of grease for leather boots? Who sells it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 20, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758 "2007-01-20T22:12:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/1 "2007-01-20T22:12:07Z")
I used to have nice big tub of grease for rubbing into boot leather to waterproof the boots and help them stay flexible yet strong. It had a consistency like Vaseline petrolatum, or maybe a tad thicker, but not as hard as for example Butcher’s furniture wax. I bought it about 30 years ago. But I can’t find my grease tub now, and when I look in shoe stores I don’t see anything like it. Online I find various things like saddle soap and polish, some of which say they preserve the leather, but I don’t see any that claim to waterproof the boots. What is it I’m looking for? I mean, does it have a name I need to know, or what? Some references say I can use furniture wax - anybody know about this? The boots I want to treat are about 20 years old and feel like they’re in pretty good shape, but the leather doesn’t seem to resist water at all - it soaks right in. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/2 "2007-01-20T22:15:29Z")
Are you thinking of [Sno-Seal](http://www.atsko.com/snoseal.html)? That stuff works great. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/3 "2007-01-20T22:32:23Z")
Probably [Mink Oil](http://www.acehardware.com/sm-kiwi-and-reg-camp-dry-and-reg-mink-oil-132000--pi-1419434.html) ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/4 "2007-01-20T22:36:32Z")
> **[Care of Fine Leather : Leathercare help from David Morgan](https://www.davidmorgan.com/shop-content/leathercare/)** > > Fine leather deserves good care. The appropriate treatment of a leather item depends upon its condition, or the degree of deterioration when treatment is started. > **[Neatsfoot oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neatsfoot_oil)** > > Neatsfoot oil is a yellow oil rendered and purified from the shin bones and feet (but not the hooves) of cattle. "Neat" in the oil's name comes from an Old English word for cattle. Neatsfoot oil is used as a conditioning, softening and preservative agent for leather. In the 18th century, it was also used medicinally as a topical application for dry scaly skin conditions. > In spite of its name, "prime neatsfoot oil" (or "neatsfoot oil compound") is a blend of actual neatsfoot oil and non-animal o... ---
**Author:** ![633squadron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/ee59a6/32.png) [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2007, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/5 "2007-01-20T22:54:00Z")
[QUOTE=Napier] I used to have nice big tub of grease for rubbing into boot leather to waterproof the boots and help them stay flexible yet strong. [/QUOTE] If it came in a blue and white tub, looked yellowish, and felt like petroleum jelly, I’d guess it was Sno-Seal. Sno-Seal works very well for leather, although it will darken the leather and be a bit messy/sticky at first. The first pair of “European-style” hiking boots I owned were Red Wing Vasques, back in 1973; I bought them and promptly Sno-Sealed them. In those days, wearing all-leather hiking boots was “in”; but then again, so were bell-bottoms. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2007, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/6 "2007-01-21T00:15:39Z")
It could also be Dubbin. > **[Dubbin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubbin)** > > Dubbin (also known as “dubbing” in the USA) is a greasy or waxy product used to soften, condition, and waterproof leather. It has been used since medieval times to waterproof and soften leather goods. It differs from saddle soap used to clean and lightly condition leather, or shoe polish, which is used to impart shine and colour to it. > It consists primarily of various waxes and oils. Commercial dubbin contains petroleum jelly (petrolatum), paraffin wax, neatsfoot oil, and naphtha (C10-12 alkan... ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2007, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/7 "2007-01-21T02:17:45Z")
It sounds like you had a tub of Sno-Seal, which is pretty good stuff. You may want to check out [http://www.bluemagic.com/extremewaterrepellent.html](http://www.bluemagic.com/extremewaterrepellent.html). I have used their spray-on waterproofer on my all-leather hiking boots and nylon/canvas outerwear and it is incredibly waterproof, much better than the grease-type waterproofers. Plus it’s ozone safe. I’d suggest using two coats, allowing the first to dry overnight. REI carries their products, so they should be fairly easy to find. For what it’s worth, Backpacker magazine did an article on waterproofers in 1998 and BlueMagic Tectron won. The silicone spray made by Kiwi also did fairly well, but it has a rather strong, persistent smell, which gives me a terrific headache, YMMV. The editors concluded that mink oil weakened leather, making it more vulnerable to tearing, and was not very water-resistant at all. Also, the stuff that is commonly sold as mink oil for waterproofing is not actually made from any part of minks. Sorry I don’t have a cite for this, but Backpacker probably has something more recent on their website. Also, do not listen to anybody who says you should put boots in the oven to help the waterproofer ‘penetrate the leather’, I’ve seen the results of that, and it’s not pretty. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/8 "2007-01-22T16:37:36Z")
Yet another possibility is [Huberd’s Shoe Grease.](http://www.huberds.com/Home.html) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/9 "2007-01-22T16:42:25Z")
You’re thinking of Sno-seal. I use this on some winter boots, but be aware that the leather will be “sealed” and will no longer breathe and will get quite humid inside. It’s good for snow & ice but not optimal for general hiking. ---
**Author:** ![robcaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/10 "2007-01-22T17:03:40Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] Yet another possibility is [Huberd’s Shoe Grease.](http://www.huberds.com/Home.html) [/QUOTE] I second Huberd’s Shoe Grease. It softens the leather and makes it waterproof. I grew up in South Dakota and that is all they used around there. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/11 "2007-01-22T19:07:35Z")
I use red wing boot oil, available at any red wing shoe store. It keeps the leather waterproof and supple. Just make sure that the shoes are completely dry before you apply the oil. ---
**Author:** ![cstamets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@cstamets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cstamets)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/12 "2007-01-22T19:29:17Z")
I used to use something that sounded similar that was called [Bear Grease](http://workingperson.com/products/85_101/1/974/Leather_Cleaner:_Bear_Grease_Conditioner_and_Waterproofing.html). ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/13 "2007-01-22T22:52:55Z")
I had never heard about mink oil weakening the leather. I’ve been using it on the Timberlands I’ve had since early high school, and they look great. (The padding has completely worn out in the sole though, so they’re lined with Dr. Scholl’s products.) L.L. Bean used to send a little pack of Sno-Seal in the box with their boots. They also offered a Boot Dressing that was fairly neat and easy to apply, but I can’t find it on their website. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/14 "2007-01-22T23:41:04Z")
[QUOTE=Jeep’s Phoenix] I had never heard about mink oil weakening the leather. [/QUOTE] I don’t know about mink oil weakening leather; we used and recommended it all the time when I worked in a boot store. But for a while, some manufacturers were using stitching that did not react well with mink oil, and seemed to be greatly weakened by it. And of course, if the stitching goes out, the boot is useless even if the leather is still good. I don’t think that’s a problem any more, with better stitching (mostly nylon threads). ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2007, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/15 "2007-01-22T23:42:10Z")
Saddle Soap ---
**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:** [January 23, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/16 "2007-01-23T00:32:07Z")
[Limmer Boot Grease](http://www.limmerbootgrease.com/index.html) has always been my choice. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/17 "2007-01-23T05:00:20Z")
[QUOTE=Will Repair] Saddle Soap [/QUOTE] No! Saddle soap is for cleaning leather, and (like most soaps) has a drying effect. You can use saddle soap to clean leather boots, but afterwards you really ought to apply an oil product to keep the leather soft & supple. And on the 2nd question: Who sells it? A good place to look is in a western store, where they sell boots, saddles, & leather tack. They almost always have the appropriate leather cleaning & conditioning supplies available. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-grease-for-leather-boots-who-sells-it/388758/18 "2007-01-24T13:32:13Z")
Thanks, everybody. I can’t figure out what it was I originally had - the SnoSeal can doesn’t look familiar. I might have bought it at the L. L. Bean store in Maine, but not sure. I did, however, find a product similar to that and a few others mentioned. It’s Snow-Proof Weatherproofing, made by Fiebing Co. I put some on and the immediate appearance is like what I remember. Thanks for all the help!!