First, compliments to Gambit for getting out in winter and opting for the too often neglected Sheltowee Trace in favor of more well known sometimes beaten down crowded trails such as the AT, LT, and JMT.
These posts most aptly describe my leather hunting boot experiences attempting to make non WP leather boots into somewhat WP boots using lanolin, mink oil, beeswax, or other pastes. I'd always vigorously work in such pastes to seams but in short order the boots would absorb dirt and would only be WR not being able to step into a puddle or hike in slush very far before socks became wet.
Although not a general fan of WP shoes, in cold winter conditions with mixed ground conditions around freezing I find them acceptable.
Another option I've found some success in winter is spraying leather boots with a nano particle spray such as Tarrgon. It reduces mud, ice, water build up on leather boots while providing WR. I've never found myself able to make a non WP leather boot into something that's 100% WP. Despite claims it can reduce some breathability but in freezing conditions if all what's going on with the foot system is dialed this isn't perhaps as critical compared to warmer months. It needs to be reapplied so often. That's why I often combine it with an insulated Seal Skinz or Hanz WP sock electing to carry two prs of socks with different traits maybe a merino winter pr and WP sock. https://www.tarrago.com/product/high...otector-spray/ Good news is the ST is not a muddy trail based on my 2X SOBO thru hikes of it finishing in late fall. BTW, I experienced about as many natural arches on ST thru hikes as a Hayduke Tr thru hike that went through Arches NP!
Snow seal NO! If you wear them out in a year fine.
It will make leather fibers separate, and leather becomes hard
Thank you DW! I have had a lovely experience thus far on the ST. It is what you make it. It has not been the best blazed at all times, it is not on guthooks, alot of it is horse trail so terrain can be messy. But it is great if I make it great and that has been a great learning curve. It has taught me to once again think of logistics and directions which those skills got lost long ago on the AT, aimlessly following white blazes. There have been very very few hikers thus far, aprox 15 in the first 60 miles, and that 60 miles being some of the most traveled portions of the ST. After 2021 when I have finished the ST I will take on some other SE trails described in my signature. They are close to home, logistically realistic for weekend trips and overall mileage allows for a challenge without full dedication of all my time.
Trail Miles: 4,980.5
AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
Foothills Trail: 47.9
AT Map 2: 279.4
BMT: 52.7
CDT: 85.4
"It is what you make it. But it is great if I make it great and that has been a great learning curve. It has taught me..."
What a refreshingly grounded sober HYOH attitude based on owning your hikes taking responsibility for them, your beliefs, development, and mental outlook.
Thank You.
Last edited by Dogwood; 01-06-2021 at 16:38.
I have a pair of 30 year old Merrill Wilderness that are badly cracked from years of using SnowSeal. They got damaged just the way Limmer predicts. SnowSeal also destroyed the Lowas I had in the 80s and my buddy's Fabianos. The cracking appears at the flex point of the toes in all 3 pairs of these boots.
I have a pair of Fabiano Rias that are about 20+ years old and I ran SnowSea on one and AquaSeal on the other for 2 seasons. Did the same on a pair of Asolo Extreme telemark boots.
The silicone in the AquaSeal is the best waterproofing but it's also the most damaging to the leather. I'll use it on cheap work gloves but it will never touch my boots.
I found SnowSeal to be less damaging than AquaSeal but still damaging over the long run.
I switched to Limmer Boot Grease about 20 years and credit it for halting the damage on both my Merrills and Fabianos.
But, understand that Limmer grease protects leather but won't make them waterproof. If you want waterproof boots, get GoreTex or glue on rubber rand supergaiters (eg Berghaus).
I switched to NikWax in the early 90's while working at EMS and never looked back. That stuff is incredible for 1 piece leather uppers. Growing up in Northern NY, my father worked outside and always treated his wolverine workboots with sno seal. And yes every year, cracks would appear in the leather.
.....Someday, like many others who joined WB in the early years, I may dry up and dissapear....