Many mountain hunters use pure beeswax exclusively on their boots. The application is difficult but you can get it into the leather. The idea is to prevent the leather from absorbing water, however water can still get to your feet if the boots do not have any waterproof lining. Beewax melts at about 146 degrees F. Most people heat their boots to 150 degrees in an oven an apply the beeswax. Then it is worked in with heat from a hair drier.
SnoSeal is beeswax with chemicals to make application easier. Those chemicals have been known to deteriorate the stitching in some boots. The best way to apply it is the oven method also. I have used this method for years.
But, I am now leary of heating boots to 150 degrees in an oven. Many manufacturers warn about excessive heat applied to their boots. Hence, I have changed my boot treatment product and method of application.
Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP is a mixture of natural oils, propolis and beeswax. It is the best thing I have found for full grain leather boots. On new boots I use three applications. Each application is worked in by hand until the leather seems saturated, then I put the boots in a black plastic bag and set it in the sun for a day or two. On used boots, I first clean them throughly with saddle soap, let them dry and then repeat the application for new boots. Now one might say that those boots could reach 150 degrees or more sitting in the sun in a black plastic bag. Could be, but I know my wife is glad I no longer bake my boots in the oven.
