Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

[JohnSKepler]

I had searched and searched and asked, and sent emails and, made phone calls, and the answer was not clear until I read Gareth’s write-up.
So glad I found this before I put the Nikwax wax product on my boots!

EDIT:
I double-checked the Nikwax product. Even though it is called:
Waterproofing Wax for Leather™

It is described as:
WaterBased waterproofing cream for smooth leather footwear.

So, being water based, I assume it is not really a wax product, but don't know for sure.
Confusing.

I sent them an email asking for clarification.

Any links to @lilcliffy/Gareth's write-up? I have an Alpina I need to maintain. Thanks!

[fisheater]

John,
I read Gareth’s method years ago, and still use it. I’ll give you my short and sweet synopsis, nowhere close to Gareth’s well written instruction.
Let the leather get wet by wrapping some wet towels around them for a few hours.

What Bob then does.
Rub as much Hydrobloc into the leather as I can.

Touch the boots up when I think I need to.

This method works for me, but definitely isn’t as meticulous as what Gareth has written. Maybe it will get you pointed in the right direction?

[randoskier]

Doing my part to add to the confusion... Zamberlan makes a product specific for nubuck and split leather. Every time I have driven over to Zamberlan to get a bottle of the nubuck spray- they are out of it : (
I'm due for a trip to Zamberlan, maybe this weekend, as my Lundhags should arrive from Sweden this week... via slow-boat apparently.

Zamberlan make one product for full grain leather and one product for split.

Spray: "Bottle of water-based BALSAMO SPRAY Hydrobloc®, formulated for Nubuk, suede (also with Cordura) and reversed leathers. Each bottle contains 110 ml of product."

Paste: "Tube of Hydrobloc® CREAM, formulated for the water-repellent treatment of full-grain leathers.
Each tube contains 75 ml of product."

https://eu.zamberlan.com/page/boot-care-guide

[lilcliffy]

Silicone spray for rough-out/split/nubuck leather will preserve the aesthetic of these leathers- it will not maintain it.

[randoskier]

Silicone spray for rough-out/split/nubuck leather will preserve the aesthetic of these leathers- it will not maintain it.

The Zamberlan Spray is not silicone based, and they recommend the spray for all rough out leathers, they only recommend the cream for smooth full-grain leather. It conditions it too.

"We recommend using our Hydrobloc cream (full grains) or spray (nubucks, split grains and Perwangers)" -Zamberlan

My wife uses the Zamberlan spray on her Alfa Skaget boots, works and does not gum up the shoe.

[lilcliffy]

Silicone-based or not-
my personal experience is that spray products are primarily intended to maintain the hydrophobic properties of treated leathers, while maintaining their aesthetic-
my experience is that spray conditioners do not penetrate, condition and "nourish"/maintain leather-
in the long-term, leather that is not reconditioned will dry out and crack.

Here is what my Skaget boot looks like:

[randoskier]

Silicone-based or not-
my personal experience is that spray products are primarily intended to maintain the hydrophobic properties of treated leathers, while maintaining their aesthetic-
my experience is that spray conditioners do not penetrate, condition and "nourish"/maintain leather-
in the long-term, leather that is not reconditioned will dry out and crack.

Here is what my Skaget boot looks like:
PXL_20240127_234400981.MP.jpg

My wife's Skaget's look nicer : ) If I can find them in the preseason mess I will post a pic.

[randoskier]

Lundhags Material Guide

https://lundhags.com/eu/guide/boot-guid ... rial-guide