Waterproofing boots?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 15,400
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From: Upstate N.Y.-Rochester Area
Sketchers has a claimed waterproof boot (Model name VERDICT.) that is relatively inexpensive, (And if you search even Cheap!) that I have been looking at.
No experience whatsoever with the brand, but the price vs intended use is making me look twice.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,145
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From: Ontario East
Me thinks you've been brain-washed by reading all those Lemon Pledge posts, my friend. Personally, I clean with saddle soap, warm the boots ( or anything leather) and use Bees' Wax, paying special attention to the welts.
Animal fats will gradually degrade the leather, silicone won't let it breathe and also breaks down the leather fibers, as does mink oil. This is right from the mouth of a friend of mine who has made boots for many years.
My chaps are now 19 years old and still look like new. My jacket is about 14 years old and still looks great. My boots are new because the old ones finally wore out in the sole department and I wanted a new pair. My gauntlets are about 15 years old and are lamb-skin soft. I use saddle soap on all of them and have been using Bees' Wax since they were new.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
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From: Wisconsin, USA
I have First Gear zip-up overbooties. Never trusted the bottoms, worried they would snag on something. PM me if you want them for $10. Fits 11-12.
Had Tingleys too. Too squirrelly.
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 76
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From: Virginia
Mink oil works pretty good, but you HAVE to treat the seams or they will leak regardless. I have to say that one of the best things the Army ever did was to start issuing Gore-Tex boots. I have extras that I wear for riding now. Dry feet, no matter what.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
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From: Southern Oregon
You can also heat up the sno-seal before applying it. If this doesn't work its time to buy new boots
Another happy Sno-seal user. Been using the stuff for years. The paste type, not the liquid spray.
I put my boots on the 'shelf' in the dryer and get em' nice and warm before I start applying the paste. The stuff melts like butter and the leather soaks it up nicely.
Not saying it'll make a pair of unwaterproof boots 100% waterproof, but it helps a lot. Nice conditioner too...
I put my boots on the 'shelf' in the dryer and get em' nice and warm before I start applying the paste. The stuff melts like butter and the leather soaks it up nicely.
Not saying it'll make a pair of unwaterproof boots 100% waterproof, but it helps a lot. Nice conditioner too...
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Another idea to prevent your jeans from being soaked from the knee to the top of the boot then running down into the boot is to use snap on engine guard "chaps". I know Kuryakyn sells them.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Michigan
Riding a bagger with the lower fairings does provide some added protection in wet weather (a least for a while) and it's my opinion that the older style lower fairings (w/o vents) provides even more protection from wind and rain that the newer versions.
I've had the H-D (gators) boot covers for many years and they work very well if you put them on first and then put your rain paints over them.
I'm planning on trying "Never Wet" on my riding boots just for the heck of it!
Might be nice for light showers.
I've had the H-D (gators) boot covers for many years and they work very well if you put them on first and then put your rain paints over them.
I'm planning on trying "Never Wet" on my riding boots just for the heck of it!
Might be nice for light showers.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
The rain has been record setting in parts of the Northeast this summer. My gloves, jacket and boots all get treated with Mink Oil and it's worked great. Multiple day rides with huge scattered thunderstorms and zero probs with the leather holding up and shedding water.
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