Waterproofing long leather riding boots

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Widgeon

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Morning all,

I've just bought a pair of long leather riding boots in a local tack shop sale. Wore them to walk the dog in last night to make sure the ankles weren't too stiff to ride in (they're not) and I noticed that the leather feels very new - almost suede like, with that slightly fluffy texture.

https://www.busse-reitsport.de/en/produktdetail.php?HA_ArtNr=728013&WGR=EFSG

Any ideas on how to protect them? I wax my walking boots, I use some kind of thick cream on my Mountain Horse yard boots, and I tend to waterproof spray any leather office boots. So what do I do with riding boots? I'd rather not drastically change their appearance but obviously they need something so they don't get soaked and scraped up the first time I set foot on the yard.

Any suggestions gratefully received - many thanks.
 
Hi I would suggest using Dubbin which you can get from most supermarkets, It's really good a nourishing and protecting the leather. Or a shoe water proofing spray.
Thanks
 
The description, at the link you gave, states "alternative leather-riding boots"; this made me think that they might not be leather, after all. So I went to the German page, and found that they're made of Nubuck.

Before you do anything to your boots, google around for "how to care for Nubuck". I've never had anything made of the stuff, so I can't advise you, but from what I've read, you should treat it mode like suede than like traditional leather.
 
Keith_Beef said:
The description, at the link you gave, states "alternative leather-riding boots"; this made me think that they might not be leather, after all. So I went to the German page, and found that they're made of Nubuck.

Before you do anything to your boots, google around for "how to care for Nubuck". I've never had anything made of the stuff, so I can't advise you, but from what I've read, you should treat it mode like suede than like traditional leather.
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Good find. I did wonder what on earth that meant! And they don't feel quite like normal leather. I suspect they will eventually sort of polish down into a normal leather feel but for now a spray or cream waterproofer is probably going to be best. Thanks for the detective work and this vital piece of information!

(Sounds like this old thread might be helpful too. http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?420954-Nubuck-Leather-riding-boots-sorry-boring)

Edited to add, I do already have a pair of nubuck boots (not for riding) and they have worn pretty well really after several years of being stomped through slush and rain, so I probably don't need to worry too much about these.
 
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SG_Bunny said:
Hi I would suggest using Dubbin which you can get from most supermarkets, It's really good a nourishing and protecting the leather. Or a shoe water proofing spray.
Thanks
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Do not use dubbin, you will ruin them.

I would suggest a nikwax product, precisely which one depends upon the boot and the use of the boot, they do loads of different types. The company is really helpful if you want some advice.
 
Kat said:
Do not use dubbin, you will ruin them.

I would suggest a nikwax product, precisely which one depends upon the boot and the use of the boot, they do loads of different types. The company is really helpful if you want some advice.
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Thanks - no, I didn't think dubbin was a good shout for these, I use a similar thing on my walking boots and I don't want my nice new boots to end up looking like those! I mean, they are very waterproof, but not terribly beautiful. Nikwax spray is probably my best bet.
 
I bought some waterproof spray from Aldi a while back and it’s amazing! I got four cans and I’ve done boots, coats and my caravan awning and everything is still waterproof (even though the boots are worn out now).
 
meleeka said:
I bought some waterproof spray from Aldi a while back and it’s amazing! I got four cans and I’ve done boots, coats and my caravan awning and everything is still waterproof (even though the boots are worn out now).
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ooh, Aldi, my favourite. I will have a poke around in the Random Item Bins next week!
 
Sketches footware shops do a waterproofer for nubuck it's a spray on ,not aerosol, very effective and does not discolour or change textureof nubuck and is very cost effective.
 
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