Help please on 'reproofing'

[steviefd]

Hello,

I apologise that this is not your usual area of interest but I really want the help of some experts in leather. I would like to know why the leather in this photo has wetted out on the right hand and is dry on the left. I put reproofer all over the leather but obviously there is more going on than meets the eye. I would like to understand why? I guess I need to learn how to get some proofing product ' into ' the leather and not just on the surface.

Many many thanks for reading. 

[Matt S]

Water is wicking up into the leather from the sole/upper interface.

[Sheilajeanne]

I think it may have to do with the lower part of the boot being subject to friction, which would scuff off any waxes used in finishing the leather. Uppers aren't as subject to scuffing, so the waterproof coating lasts longer.

[steviefd]

On 27/12/2017 at 10:05 PM, Matt S said:

Water is wicking up into the leather from the sole/upper interface.

Hi Matt.

As an engineer I love this answer! You could say no amount of surface proofing can stop water actually wicking 'through' the leather itself. 

Would I be able to apply a lighter less viscous product that will soak into the leather? ie some kind of oil / similar?

Thank you so much for your reply. 

On 28/12/2017 at 0:10 AM, Sheilajeanne said:

I think it may have to do with the lower part of the boot being subject to friction, which would scuff off any waxes used in finishing the leather. Uppers aren't as subject to scuffing, so the waterproof coating lasts longer.

Hi Sheilajeanne, Do you know of any products that would soak into the leather? Ie not something that can be scuffed off the surface. 

[Mattsbagger]

You can try Aussie by Fiebings. Put on a good coat and the white a hairdryer set on low warm it. It will go liquid and soak in. Let it sit for a day then buff the excess. 

Edited December 30, 2017 by Mattsbagger

[Matt S]

Stevie, which/what proofer did you use on the boots? I like to use something like a liquid wax or oil on leather hiking boots, which not only makes them resistant against water but also keeps the leather supple. As Matt above, I like Aussie Leather Food, it's a dubbin which is a compound of oils, waxes and lanolin for treating smooth leathers like your boots. You can get small tins of similar dubbin from shoe repairers and places like Wilko -- usually with the shoe polishes. What does the manufacturer recommend? 

[YinTx]

I would go with the water wicking up.  Not a good seal at the rubber interface. I've heard a lot of folks really like Obenauf's for boots:  It's pretty heavy stuff, so leatherworkers don't generally use it on the types of stuff you see here, like belts and wallets and briefcases and purses and such, but made more for your application.  Also curious what you have tried?

YinTx

[LatigoAmigo]

I have spent many years in wet boots, but not as many years with wet feet.

After experimenting with many products, I finally found a silicone spray called "Camp Dry" (by Kiwi) that helped to keep the water from fully penetrating the leather. Being porous, leather will always allow some water penetration, and you can only do so much to slow it down.