Boy, do I like to trot out old stuff. I bought these boots in 1995 and I wore them a lot until 1999 when I started to develop in-grown toenails on both feet. From that time on, I wore them extremely sparingly, once every couple of years. I am happy to say that was the last time I had surgery on my toes to solve that problem. Unfortunately, the toe of the boot is too constrictive for daily wear.

But, the leather still looks good even if the plastic ribbing is cracked. They could stand for another coat of oil and I think I will have the heels replaced. I bought new square toed boots for our vow renewal last year and I wear them every couple of weeks but I am thinking that I should put these boots back into service. I will not wear them daily, but keeping with philosophy, I should use them or get rid of them.

My wife has some boots too. I haven’t done anything to them because I never thought about them. I learned long ago not to touch a women’s clothes. Last time I washed a denim jacket to be helpful, I had to replace it. She was saying that they looked a little scuffed up. So, I offered to oil them for her. I did warn that the color would be effected but she was OK with it.

What I like to do is start with mink oil. It is a natural product that soaks into the leather. This keeps the leather supple, even after 30 years. I may or may not apply multiple coats of oil, if it looks like the leather is sufficiently whetted, I stop there. I dress the top with a beeswax product made for leather. It too has some oil in it but it is mostly for topical protection and looks.

Both of these products not only protect the leather but also offer some protection for water absorption. Most wet feet happen with water seeping through the seam. This process wont stop that, nothing will. Might as well protect the shoe though.

This is what I do, what about other products? Well, a little goes a long way so I am working with stuff I bought long ago. I will say that I am not a big fan of synthetic products. These would be things that come in spray bottles or come with silicone compounds. They stink and perform no better in my opinion.

When it comes to shoes, the other traditional treatment is shoe polish. This adds some color as well as a little bit of protection. In my experience, the protection is surface deep. It tends to be gone after a week or so. Treating other wearables like holsters and belts also has a propensity for these coatings to rub off. Unless you fancy brown or black smudges, keep these on shoes only.

I do treat some of my dress shoes with polish. I do that because the leather finish is worn and I don’t think the leather conditioner is the right look. This is reason there were so many shoe shiners years ago. The polish evens everything out even if it doesn’t last long.

Generally, leather treatment is leather treatment. So, what I do to boots could theoretically be done with any leather. I reserve my tender love and care to shoes and products that are durable and can be repaired. I have a pair of waterproof, low hikers and they weren’t cheap shoes. That being said, the sole (tread rubber) has peeled off twice. I glued them back to the spongy substrate and the still work. The point being is that I am not going to invest lifetime care into things that will not last a lifetime.

One last point before I leave this. Most modern shoes are not actually leather but synthetic. I would be less militant about synthetic products but I also feel like, ‘what is the point?’ If they are not built to last forever, then I don’t see the value in the time and product to slow the inevitable.

End Your Programming Routine: Treat you leather well and it will literally last your lifetime. One thing I found is spend a little time up front and then the ongoing maintenance will be much easier. On my boots, I will clean them off and rub the wax in. That should be good to go for a couple of years at the rate that I wear them.