SmallCaliberCentral

Hi all. I bought a new pair of boots a couple of weeks ago. They are 10" boots and made of leather with the usual sown tounge and speed lacing. The problem is they have started to squeak as I walk or stalk!!!
Any ideas as to how I can stop the noise?

Adam

Stop moving and remove from feet? Actually, I would start with a good boot oil.

RAMOS wrote:Stop moving and remove from feet? Actually, I would start with a good boot oil.

Would a leather wax conditioner be ok?

One word: Mink Oil (okay that was two words). Gary

Use oil to break-in and condition the leather. Use boot wax or grease to waterproof. Oil in the summer and grease in the winter. Oil conditions by lubricating the fibers in the leather. Mink Oil does such a good job of this that some boots will not stop stretching. Also, being a fat based oil, as it breaks down it can weaken some of the newer synthetic threads that they use for stitching. My favorites are the products made by Obenaughs (may be miss-spelled, sounds like obenoffs).

RAMOS, thanks for the info. I've been using mink oil on my boots since 1969. Perhaps it's time to join the 21st century! Gary

Gary,
I sold work boots for a number of years. Sold lots of Mink Oil too! Mink Oil will also seal off Gore-Tex. It remains waterproof but, it will not breathe very well.

I know this has worked for me in the past...

Don't tie them too tight! This was my issue for the longest time!

Cheers for the ideas guys. I will give the oil a go and see how I get on

New leather boots need something that'll penetrate at first. Lexol http://www.lexol.com/lexol.html is what I recommend. Used it many years after a cleaning with glycerin saddle soap such as http://www.outfitterssupply.com/Fiebing ... nfo/WLF109. Clean the leather with the soap, allow to dry, buff and polish, then add Lexol generously with a sponge, allow to soak in overnight and then apply neatsfoot oil or mink oil, or Hornady's Unique Case Lube (yes it's a great leather dressing).

Every day when I came home from felling trees, digging trenches, clearing trails or such, I'd soap my boots, let them dry, apply Lexol and then rest them the next day. Polish with wax before using again. Always alternated between two pair. Once every couple of weeks apply a coat of mink oil or such during winter. Main thing is clean any mud off as soon as possible, mud will suck the leather dry quicker than anything. I have several pairs of White's Smoke Jumper boots that date to 1986 that are still in service.

It also works on harness and saddles, ankle boots, bell boots, halters and anything made of leather.