No, this process is only for smooth, finished leathers. Roughout doesn't need to be conditioned the same way because the grain side is facing inwards and benefits from the natural oils you pass to it while wearing. For my roughout boots, I let them get beat up and patina'd. If they get too dirty, you can buy a suede brush and use small circles to lift the dirt out of the roughout. A normal horsehair brush doesn't hurt, but also doesn't do as good a job.
I just got my first pair of cowboy boots and I've been wearing them to work. It's a very dusty place where I'm likely to get them dirty and potentially some scuffs, so I was already prepared to maintain consistently. Your video and the comment section have made me halt my use of Mink Oil to go find something that will not harden and destroy my boots over time. Thank you for the video and thank you to the community for your inputs!
I bought some leather balm and been using it on my number ones it softened up the leather like crazy such a great conditioner for boots i also used it on a pair of my luccheses and it softened those up like crazy too! Great product from a great company thank you Will and chisos!
You don't want to use mink oil or neatsfoot oil either because they eventually clog the pores of the leather. When you apply mink oil to your leather, at first, it will condition it. However, eventually, the mink oil will oxidize and have the reverse desired effect: It will harden your leather. This is also true of Neatsfoot oil, another commonly recommended animal product for leather that does more damage than good.
Slightly scuffed the toes on my new(ish) #2’s 😖 I’m hoping the buffing process you just demonstrated will help. Otherwise I guess they’ll just have added character like me. You rock Will ! Loving the boots btw, already sold a couple pairs for you once my buddies saw mine ! 🤠
this is so helpful - my dad has gifted me his old cowboy boots from the 70's and i absolutely adore them (and they fit very well!). i was just wondering about a few things: 1. what do i do if the shaft of the boot folds over on itself and doesn't stand up? should i try to put something like a pool noodle in them for storage (seen this in stores)? 2. the boots have some discolouration - is there anything i can do about this? it's just a weird greenish/light colour 3. do you recommend getting the boot insoles redone? just because they're probably used to my dad's feet and not mine hahaha 4. part of one of the pull straps has come off - I sew a lot of my clothes, so do you think I can just resew them back on? 5. given their age and the fact that they haven't been worn in a long time, do you recommend them getting looked at? if so, who should I take them to? i've noticed that the soles are a bit cracked :( thanks!!
They sound like some beautiful boots, and based on that info it seems like they could use some TLC! Take them to your local cobbler and they will most definitely be able to help you. We send all of our customers to Snellville Shoe Repair, they do fantastic work.
I live out west where it rains all the time, I use a leather cowboy style work boot for construction (just a regular cowboy boot with the features of work boots) in my situation, is it harmful to use water, saddle soap, and conditioner every one to two weeks?
I would be a tad weary of over conditioning, since that can be as harmful as not conditioning enough. But as long as you are cautious, that shouldn't be a problem!
thanks for posting this! super helpful, as I am in the process of making sure I take proper care of all my leather & suede products. question: for python/lizard skin boots, is the process basically the same?
I cuffed the front of my No. 2 brown boots! Anything I can do to hide / restore that? Can I use a brown shoe polish maybe on it? What's the recommendation? Also is Bick 4 a good product to use for conditioning?
My barber wears his Chisos when he's manning the chair! In terms of Michigan wet weather and snow, you'd need to add some rubber sole savers or else you're gonna have a slippery time. It's an easy addition that any cobbler can do. We recommend Scott Maddox at Snellville Shoe Repair in Georgia!
@@Chisos thank you so much I love your boots 🥾 but I need something supportive for my feet 🦶 that answered my question. I’m looking at the black ostrich boots 🥾 I’ll buy them thank you 🙏🏻
It's not life or death if you don't stuff them with paper, but I would recommend you find some old newspaper or buy a cedar shoe tree to stuff in there. It absorbs moisture and helps the boots keep their shape. I don't have a strong recommendation on a horsehair brush. In my experience, none or that great nor that terrible.
The paper that came in your boots was free, but other paper will do. If your boots are valuable (monetary or sentimental), invest in a pair of cedar boot trees. They come in different sizes, so get the ones suited for your boots.
You won't want to use any conditioner on Nubuck since that will matte down the grain of the leather. Instead, you will want to use a suede/nubuck cleaner and a good brush!
Hey a old man told me if i dont got any leather products i can just use vegetable or olive oil do you think it will work on my boots ? I know it works on my belts but my belts are very thick and my boots aint
Howdy Chris! You may be able to use a saddle soap! That could impact the color on the boots you are looking at though, test it on the shaft in a place that isn't visible just to make sure it won't super discolor the boots you are working on! Thank you, Allison
That might just mean that your boots were a tad dry and they really needed that balm! Shouldn't be an issue as long as long as the leather feels supple now :)
Dirty boots should be washed with saddle soap, rinsed with cool water, then allowed to air dry for 24 hours before conditioner is applied. This is the best way to really get leather clean.
Saddle soap is for SADDLES...not boots. You clean boots with water and soap. Saddle soap will ruin your boots. Just like mink oil. The products at the shoe show...that are marketed for taking care of boots actually break them down faster. No saddle soap. No mink oil. Just leather lotion.
@@stevenroche9874 go ahead. Ruin your boots using saddle soap. But saddle soap is not a boot cleaner. Saddle soap makes leather hard and brittle. The opposite of what you want leather to be. You want leather soft and supple. Saddle soap is a gimmick for ppl who don't know what to use. Just like mink oil. That's why it's the 2 things on the rack at shoe show. It's a marketing plot. To get you to degrade your boots faster so u need to buy a new pair. Just like armor all for car Inteiors. It causes it to crack and dry out. You will not see saddle soap or mink oil in a professional cobblers shop. You will see bic 4, leather lotion, regular old soap.
With all the video splitting and extra product mentioning i am now completely lost in what was actually used in this demonstration. And NOWHERES in the video was shown HOW MUCH to use of each product mentioned not even how to properly apply it.. im left in just as much confusion as when i started looking for solutions to my overly abused leather boots going through mud and all types of weather from year round use while breaking and training horses in sand round pens and arenas. My boots get EXTREMELY muddy and dirty while feeding and watering and then working them horses. I go through too many boots i need PROPER leather boots care training not just basic cause my boots are going through pure Hell DAILY and ruining just as fast and lord knows how much they cost to be going through them so fast. The lighter idea i been using on everything since forever for loose strands and threads cause thats common knowledge but u gotta actually show how to apply and how much to apply cause im left at the end just as confused as when i started watching. I dont think i learned anything at all but there is far more then just 3 things needed cause u done mentioned far more then those and and never mentioned how much to use for anything nor how to apply it.. the key to TEACHING people is not to imply they already know even a speck of what ur talking about and teach them from actual literally demonstration from start to finish, step by step, like a manual, u explained things like your audience actually knows what ur talking about already and just getting a refreshing
Is this the similar process for roughout?
No, this process is only for smooth, finished leathers. Roughout doesn't need to be conditioned the same way because the grain side is facing inwards and benefits from the natural oils you pass to it while wearing. For my roughout boots, I let them get beat up and patina'd. If they get too dirty, you can buy a suede brush and use small circles to lift the dirt out of the roughout. A normal horsehair brush doesn't hurt, but also doesn't do as good a job.
I just got my first pair of cowboy boots and I've been wearing them to work. It's a very dusty place where I'm likely to get them dirty and potentially some scuffs, so I was already prepared to maintain consistently.
Your video and the comment section have made me halt my use of Mink Oil to go find something that will not harden and destroy my boots over time.
Thank you for the video and thank you to the community for your inputs!
Very encouraging to hear! Wishing you the best on your boot journey.
You can tell when somebody has a passion when they forget to breath 😂
😆
Just used your leather balm on my boots and it worked perfectly. Thanks for the video.
Fantastic! So happy to hear! - Allison
I bought some leather balm and been using it on my number ones it softened up the leather like crazy such a great conditioner for boots i also used it on a pair of my luccheses and it softened those up like crazy too! Great product from a great company thank you Will and chisos!
So glad you're enjoying it! We love the Chisos leather balm!
You don't want to use mink oil or neatsfoot oil either because they eventually clog the pores of the leather. When you apply mink oil to your leather, at first, it will condition it. However, eventually, the mink oil will oxidize and have the reverse desired effect: It will harden your leather. This is also true of Neatsfoot oil, another commonly recommended animal product for leather that does more damage than good.
Great advice! Agreed.
Actually anything from Walmart or target or shoe show will ruin your boots. Go to a stockman or western store.
Seriously? I woiuldn't have thought that Red Wings is selling such crap.
Very helpful. I will add this conditioner when I place my order for my Chisos boots!
Sounds like a plan! 💪
Thanks for this video! Straight forward and these techniques work perfectly! My #2s really enjoyed it!!
You're very welcome! Let us know if you have any questions! Thank you, Allison
Slightly scuffed the toes on my new(ish) #2’s 😖 I’m hoping the buffing process you just demonstrated will help. Otherwise I guess they’ll just have added character like me. You rock Will ! Loving the boots btw, already sold a couple pairs for you once my buddies saw mine ! 🤠
Howdy Dan! I hope so too! But, a little character never hurt anybody 😉 Thanks for sending people our way! We love our community. Thank you, Allison
@@Chisos I agree about scuffs adding character. I come from labor work so I'd look at the potential remnants of a scuff pridefully :)
This was an excellent demo. Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
this is so helpful - my dad has gifted me his old cowboy boots from the 70's and i absolutely adore them (and they fit very well!). i was just wondering about a few things:
1. what do i do if the shaft of the boot folds over on itself and doesn't stand up? should i try to put something like a pool noodle in them for storage (seen this in stores)?
2. the boots have some discolouration - is there anything i can do about this? it's just a weird greenish/light colour
3. do you recommend getting the boot insoles redone? just because they're probably used to my dad's feet and not mine hahaha
4. part of one of the pull straps has come off - I sew a lot of my clothes, so do you think I can just resew them back on?
5. given their age and the fact that they haven't been worn in a long time, do you recommend them getting looked at? if so, who should I take them to? i've noticed that the soles are a bit cracked :(
thanks!!
They sound like some beautiful boots, and based on that info it seems like they could use some TLC! Take them to your local cobbler and they will most definitely be able to help you. We send all of our customers to Snellville Shoe Repair, they do fantastic work.
I live out west where it rains all the time, I use a leather cowboy style work boot for construction (just a regular cowboy boot with the features of work boots) in my situation, is it harmful to use water, saddle soap, and conditioner every one to two weeks?
I would be a tad weary of over conditioning, since that can be as harmful as not conditioning enough. But as long as you are cautious, that shouldn't be a problem!
thanks for posting this! super helpful, as I am in the process of making sure I take proper care of all my leather & suede products.
question: for python/lizard skin boots, is the process basically the same?
We would suggest you look into a exotic conditioner for those leather types! Thank you, Allison
Great Video!Very Helpful!
Is it legal to use the chisos balm on ariat boots? Asking for a friend.
It will do the trick on any brand of boots! Just don't tell Will 😉
Is this leather balm a no no with the no 2 ostrich boots you sell? Or can you use it with those too?
Our leather balm is great for both cowhide and ostrich! Just follow the same steps listed in this video and your boot will be good to go
I cuffed the front of my No. 2 brown boots! Anything I can do to hide / restore that? Can I use a brown shoe polish maybe on it? What's the recommendation? Also is Bick 4 a good product to use for conditioning?
Fiebing's makes a great Dark Brown Leather Dye that matches our leather well! Bick 4 is a great conditioner!
Could I wear these as a barber 💈 standing all day long?? And can they hold up in Michigan wet weather and snow ❄️? Thank you
My barber wears his Chisos when he's manning the chair! In terms of Michigan wet weather and snow, you'd need to add some rubber sole savers or else you're gonna have a slippery time. It's an easy addition that any cobbler can do. We recommend Scott Maddox at Snellville Shoe Repair in Georgia!
@@Chisos thank you so much I love your boots 🥾 but I need something supportive for my feet 🦶 that answered my question. I’m looking at the black ostrich boots 🥾 I’ll buy them thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you Tom! Let us know if you have any other questions! 🤠
I tossed the paper away. Is it important to always put that back in the boot after each wear? Also any recommendations on a horse hair brush?
Thanks
It's not life or death if you don't stuff them with paper, but I would recommend you find some old newspaper or buy a cedar shoe tree to stuff in there. It absorbs moisture and helps the boots keep their shape. I don't have a strong recommendation on a horsehair brush. In my experience, none or that great nor that terrible.
@@Chisos will do. Any brush you recommend? Thanks
We don't have a specific brush we recommend! Any horsehair brush will do the job!
@@aaronbrowne1114 Nordstrom rack is having a sale on their cedar shoe trees right now
The paper that came in your boots was free, but other paper will do. If your boots are valuable (monetary or sentimental), invest in a pair of cedar boot trees. They come in different sizes, so get the ones suited for your boots.
Does this same process work for nubuck boots?
You won't want to use any conditioner on Nubuck since that will matte down the grain of the leather. Instead, you will want to use a suede/nubuck cleaner and a good brush!
I have Huberd's shoe grease does it do the same thing as the leather balm?
Huberd's makes great products! I think it should work for you! Always apply to a small area of the boot to check its' effect.
Great advice. Off topic Q. Are they easily resoled? Could any cobbler do it? Thanks
Yes, absolutely-our boots are completely repairable and resolable.
Can u use this product on sting ray boots?
Yes you can!
What about feeding the sole?
Is Bick 4 a good leather conditioner to use for Chisos boots?
Bick 4 will do the trick just fine! Any conditioner meant for finished leathers will work wonderfully on Chisos boots.
What about boots you don’t want to darken?
What do you recommend for getting out? Stains from my blue jeans on my boots?
Howdy! A little baking soda and water might do the trick!
Hey a old man told me if i dont got any leather products i can just use vegetable or olive oil do you think it will work on my boots ? I know it works on my belts but my belts are very thick and my boots aint
I wouldn't recommend it because certain plant based oils can go rancid and mold the leather!
How to you take off grease stains on leather boots?
Howdy Chris! You may be able to use a saddle soap! That could impact the color on the boots you are looking at though, test it on the shaft in a place that isn't visible just to make sure it won't super discolor the boots you are working on! Thank you, Allison
Does a person polish a black dress boot after this procedure?
Yes, after conditioning is when you can apply polish, if you desire
Can you just use pure beef tallow?
I wouldn't recommend it! Tallow could go rancid and mold the boots!
How bad is it if the conditioner dries in a couple minutes and isn't tacky at all
That might just mean that your boots were a tad dry and they really needed that balm! Shouldn't be an issue as long as long as the leather feels supple now :)
Those are nice boots
We should have Chisos in 🇹🇷. I'm jealous.☹
Using Vaseline is it good maybe?
Stay away from petroleum-based products. They will dry out the leather in the long run.
I need some number 1s!!!
We agree! - Allison
Dirty boots should be washed with saddle soap, rinsed with cool water, then allowed to air dry for 24 hours before conditioner is applied. This is the best way to really get leather clean.
Absolutely, I've been doing that since the early 80s
Saddle soap is for SADDLES...not boots. You clean boots with water and soap. Saddle soap will ruin your boots. Just like mink oil. The products at the shoe show...that are marketed for taking care of boots actually break them down faster. No saddle soap. No mink oil. Just leather lotion.
@@ChristinaDay-vi1yb Wrong !
@@stevenroche9874 go ahead. Ruin your boots using saddle soap. But saddle soap is not a boot cleaner. Saddle soap makes leather hard and brittle. The opposite of what you want leather to be. You want leather soft and supple. Saddle soap is a gimmick for ppl who don't know what to use. Just like mink oil. That's why it's the 2 things on the rack at shoe show. It's a marketing plot. To get you to degrade your boots faster so u need to buy a new pair. Just like armor all for car Inteiors. It causes it to crack and dry out. You will not see saddle soap or mink oil in a professional cobblers shop. You will see bic 4, leather lotion, regular old soap.
@@ChristinaDay-vi1yb Stop spreading lies on RUclips !
Conditioner should be melted into the leather with a hairdryer and rubbed in by hand while it is still warm.
That's a good way to go about it! Haven't heard of that trick before!
He ain’t wrong 😂 I live in Ohio, salt fucks our cars and leather
Is he single
You just want someone to “clean your boots” 😂
Also..do not use a rag. Use your hands. Only your hands . No brush. No rag. No sponge. Just fingera.
How about using a rag after to wipe off the excess resin? Our leather balm is designed to be applied, then wiped off after!
Talks a lot. Doesn't say much. All the useful parts can be easily summarized into max 45 seconds w/o running out of breath
What are you talking about
Comments a lot. Doesn't say much. No useful parts ;) Jk! I hear you Nick Da Cloush. Our videos aren't for everyone!
With all the video splitting and extra product mentioning i am now completely lost in what was actually used in this demonstration. And NOWHERES in the video was shown HOW MUCH to use of each product mentioned not even how to properly apply it.. im left in just as much confusion as when i started looking for solutions to my overly abused leather boots going through mud and all types of weather from year round use while breaking and training horses in sand round pens and arenas. My boots get EXTREMELY muddy and dirty while feeding and watering and then working them horses. I go through too many boots i need PROPER leather boots care training not just basic cause my boots are going through pure Hell DAILY and ruining just as fast and lord knows how much they cost to be going through them so fast. The lighter idea i been using on everything since forever for loose strands and threads cause thats common knowledge but u gotta actually show how to apply and how much to apply cause im left at the end just as confused as when i started watching. I dont think i learned anything at all but there is far more then just 3 things needed cause u done mentioned far more then those and and never mentioned how much to use for anything nor how to apply it.. the key to TEACHING people is not to imply they already know even a speck of what ur talking about and teach them from actual literally demonstration from start to finish, step by step, like a manual, u explained things like your audience actually knows what ur talking about already and just getting a refreshing
Thanks so much for the detailed feedback! We will take this into consideration for our future guides!