Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

[Stephen]

Sounds like you are doing a good test. I had assumed you were testing on the boots.
I’ll be interested to hear what you find out, since I’m also ready to treat some new boots.

[johral]

The end result seems to be identical between the two. I couldn't really see any difference in penetration or the ability to repel water. The Nikwax would appear to be more similar to a leather balm/cream than the Hydrobloc, but they both seem to work.

[Woodserson]

The end result seems to be identical between the two. I couldn't really see any difference in penetration or the ability to repel water. The Nikwax would appear to be more similar to a leather balm/cream than the Hydrobloc, but they both seem to work.

Thanks for doing this test!

The hydrobloc is quite greasy. I avoided the nikwax because I thought it was waxy. I have done ONE alaska boot in Hydrobloc. Maybe I'll do the other in Nikwax!

[fisheater]

I hope the Nikwax proves to be as effective as Hydrobloc as I believe it is being discontinued, however hopefully this is just temporary do to covid.
John, I recently did my Ski March which is smooth rather than split grain leather. I wrap some wet towels around the boots in the laundry tub for a few hours prior to treatment. While the Hydrobloc is a bit greasy, it sure does melt into the leather. I use what I consider a good amount of product like this, however the condition of the leather on the Ski March is beautiful. Other than the creases in the boots from use, the leather looks almost new out of the box. While Hydrobloc dulls and darkens the finish on the Alaska, the split leather could possibly be even more waterproof as all the “leather hairs” offer more surface to bead water away.
It would be really cool if you guys are able to report on your side by side testing when you can make your assessments after skiing. It would be nice to know the two treatment’s performance and durability side by side.
Thank you

[johral]

Just an FYI regarding the "Wax" in some treatments. Although I am no cobbler, and don't plan to be, I'll give some info here that goes contrary to the other thread on leather treatments. I also never worked in the forestry trade, but I do wear hand built "Smoke Jumper" boots every day, and have for the last 15-20 years. I cleaned up my boots yesterday and put a coat of conditioner on them (it is a liquid, and not designed for waterproofing, although it may help a little). I then grabbed the tub of their heavy duty leather preservative to put a light coat on the laces and the vamp. This product has been around forever, and when I reread the label...it is made with beeswax, among other things.

Both products are made by White's Boots, and White's are almost synonymous with "Work Boots" in this part of the country. They are rebuildable and a pair can last 20 years or more if you take care of them. They obviously wouldn't produce a product that wouldn't allow their own boots to be rebuilt. Their boots (as well as the other 4-5 companies in Spokane that make these lace up style work/logging boots) are made with a Norwegian Welt, and are not a glued construction, although parts of the upper may be glued during assembly/rebuilding.

So, not to say that beeswax is good for all boots, but it certainly depends on the construction (glued rand, sole, etc.). My guess is that by the time my wife's Alaskas are in need of repair they will be worn out and ready for a replacement. I have been using the Nikwax on my Rubber Rand boots for several years, but I certainly wouldn't worry about getting wax on most boots. I put beeswax waterproofing on boots for years, and many of them are still going with no adverse affects.

Just another view.

[Stephen]

Thanks for doing this test!

The hydrobloc is quite greasy. I avoided the nikwax because I thought it was waxy. I have done ONE alaska boot in Hydrobloc. Maybe I'll do the other in Nikwax!

I probably don’t need to add this comment, but, Mr. Woods mentioned “waxy,” so just want to reiterate that I was told by a Nikwax rep that, even though the Nikwax product has “Wax” in its product name, it does not contain wax.

[fisheater]

I really hope there is not much difference between the two products. If it becomes apparent there is a difference, I will save my Zamberlan for my Ski March boots.
In the photo above in the center are my Alaska BC. They have a season and a half of skiing. They have been treated with Zamberlan twice. They mostly trail ski in thin cover. When I get more snow, I choose turnier, 75 mm mounted skis. My brand new Alaska 75 are each outside of the pair of Alaska BC. While it could seem like perhaps the Alaska BC could be sealed so they don’t breath, that is not the case. However my soft shell jacket seems to get a little funky on some Gamme speed tours !

[yoyoing]

The end result seems to be identical between the two. I couldn't really see any difference in penetration or the ability to repel water. The Nikwax would appear to be more similar to a leather balm/cream than the Hydrobloc, but they both seem to work.

Thanks for doing this test!

The hydrobloc is quite greasy. I avoided the nikwax because I thought it was waxy. I have done ONE alaska boot in Hydrobloc. Maybe I'll do the other in Nikwax!

Did you end up doing the other boot in Nikwax to compare?
Very curious to hear the results as I need to condition my Alaskas for the first time

[yoyoing]

The end result seems to be identical between the two. I couldn't really see any difference in penetration or the ability to repel water. The Nikwax would appear to be more similar to a leather balm/cream than the Hydrobloc, but they both seem to work.

Does the Nikwax discolor the leather similar to the Hydrobloc?
Fisheater's photos show a pretty drastic darkening using the Hydrobloc.
Thanks

[Woodserson]

Did you end up doing the other boot in Nikwax to compare?
Very curious to hear the results as I need to condition my Alaskas for the first time

Negative they are still in my basement with one boot un-treated. I haven't gotten around to it yet. Slow and lazy