Nebraskaland

70 Nebraskaland • December 2024 MIXED BAG CARING FOR LEATHER HUNTING BOOTS By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley From dew-soaked upland fields, to January blizzards, to the muck of the late-season thaw, our hunting boots continually take a beating. While synthetic boots can be easier to clean and maintain, leather boots are the top choice for many hunters and hikers because of their durability, natural waterproofing and support. A good pair of leather boots can be serviceable for years — provided that you take care of them. Water, dirt and heat are enemies of leather. They draw out natural oils, which makes leather dry, brittle and less resistant to moisture. Also, ignored stuck-on dirt, mud and grit can penetrate deeper into leather as you walk, which adds further wear. Without care, leather boots will eventually crack and lose their waterproofing. Leather Care Products To keep your boots in tip-top shape, you will need a leather cleaner and a leather conditioner. Leather cleaner is a solvent that removes dirt, mud and debris, which is a necessary step before applying conditioner. Leather conditioner is typically made of a combination of oils and/or wax to restore leather's suppleness and water repellency. Conditioner does not work as well on dirty leather. As a hunter, equestrian and former backcountry backpacker, I've tried a variety of products over the years, and my favorite by far is made by a German company called Effax. The Leder-Combi leather cleaner is a thin liquid that, when applied with an old rag or sock, easily dissolves mud — and is strong enough to dissolve horse muck. To follow-up, Effax's Leder-Balsam is a versatile wax-like conditioner; I've used it on hunting boots, hiking boots, tall riding boots, horse tack and even my leather furniture at home. Although the conditioner is pricey, I'm still using the same jar from 2016. Additionally, a hard bristle brush is useful for scrubbing off caked-on mud. To apply leather conditioner, I prefer round disposable sponges, which are about 3 inches in diameter; they fit perfectly inside a jar of Effax's Leder-Balsam. When to Clean After every hunting season, or every spring, clean off mud and dirt and condition leather boots before putting them away for the summer. Before the hunting season, wipe off the dust and condition your boots again to make sure the leather is still protected. Throughout the season, clean and condition boots as needed. You don't have to treat them after every outing, but make sure you're not neglecting them either. Clean and condition your boots sooner rather than later, especially following wet or muddy hunts, to make sure they last long into the future. A good pair of leather boots can be serviceable for years — provided that you take care of them. JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND

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