Footwear Cleaners/Treatments

Featured review by FromSagetoSnow

Ok, this stuff is the deal.

This stuff was invented by a North Idaho forest fire fighter. That's where I was and what I was doing when I discovered this stuff back in 1996. In the five years I fought wildland fire I tromped through fire, ash, planted trees in spring rains, crossed creeks and slogged through knee-deep mud and as long as I wasn't actually working in the creek all day, my feet stayed pretty dry and gave me no blisters. Some guys used boots with WPB liners and cheap boot grease and my leather logger boots with LP stayed dry longer.  Today I use it on work and leather hiking boots.  I grew up in the Seattle area trying really hard to keep my feet dry with very little success.  I have used mink oil (terrible), pure lanolin (not bad), sno-seal, pure bees...

Read more: Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP reviews (5)

Reviewed by Brent Mills

This is an easy-to-use shoe glue for repairs such as detached soles. It dries overnight and holds securely even after severe abuse.

About a month ago, I did a review of the Brooks PureGrit 3 trail running shoes. In that review, I pointed out that the sole had begun to separate near the toe on both shoes. Immediately after writing that review, I used some Freesole to re-attach the sole with fantastic results.   EASE OF USE:   Overall, Freesole is pretty easy to use. You just smear a little bit on the sole and tape, tie, or otherwise press the shoe together. After sitting overnight, your shoe should hold together firmly.

Read more: Gear Aid Aquaseal+SR Shoe Repair Adhesive review (1)

Featured review by Gary Leatham

An ESSENTIAL tool for real world use of leather, such as boots used in the outdoors (works well on indoor shoes too). Restores supple feel and flexibility to dry leather gear. Restores water proofing without hurting the gear. Neutral color, but does increase the color present giving a darkening effect to the leather. Works with Gore Tex and eVent waterproof membrane boots.

Nikwax Conditioner for Leather label for bottle used in this review. My wife scored a nice Lowa Albula GTX boot deal this fall at an REI Seattle garage sale. The boots were like new in shape, but looked a little dry from long term storage prior to sale. I gave one conditioner treatment to the boot on the left. Notice the dark blue and raspberry red leather colors deepening. The boot is quite black blue and cordovan maroon now. The micromatt suede surface was lost and looks slicker, more like a traditional leather.

Read more: Nikwax Conditioner for Leather reviews (2)

Featured review by LoneStranger

Beeswax based leather treatment. Waterproofs and conditions leather. Great for boots, motorcycle leathers and other gear exposed to the elements.

Sno-Seal has been my go-to leather treatment for decades primarily on leather boots and motorcycle jackets.  The beeswax based product is listed by Atsko as suitable for waxed cotton and for tent seams, but I have never used it for those purposes. In my experience the product is best applied to warm leather as heat softens the wax and makes it easier to apply evenly. I usually put items to be treated in the sun for a few minutes first after brushing and/or wiping them down to remove any dirt.

Read more: Atsko Sno-Seal reviews (2)

Reviewed by Ja. R.

Great leather treatment for boots!

Good boots are perhaps the most important gear any outdoors-man/woman will ever own. Good boots are a significant investment so it is important to maintain your boots for longevity and functionality.   I treat my leather boots fairly regularly. I have mainly used Nikwax and Himalaya Wax in the past. I also used to use mink oil. The Nikwax and Himalaya Wax worked well but they seemed to leave a visible waxy coating on the surface of the boots that would crack and start peeling off.  The wax didn't seem to absorb into the leather like mink oil does.

Read more: Kenetrek Waterproofing Boot Wax review (1)