Its been snowing here lately and we have been heading out to the woods for hiking or XC skiing. Now a friend of mine years ago said “Its never cold enough if you have the right clothes”. For my feet that means a pair of 12 year old Montrail boots. They are full leather and have been up many a mountain and down plenty of trails. Nothing ruins a day in the back country like cold wet feet. So every year I treat all of our boots with Sno Seal.
Sno Seal is made from Bees Wax and keeps all water out of your boots while keeping the leather in good shape. I hate bees, so the exploitation of them for their wax is ok by me.
Years ago, my wife worked in EMS which did not sell Sno Seal, so the employees were told to lie to people and tell them you had to bake your boots in the oven and to use a chemical based spray instead. Well the EMS closed, and telling their employees to lie I am sure did not help.
First take the laces out.
You can see in this shot that last years Sno Seal has worn off and the leather is exposed.
You CAN heat them up in an oven at 120F or just use a blow drier like any reasonable person.
Use a clean rag and rub the Sno Seal in, you might have to re-heat the boot with a blow drier before you are done.
When the wax is dry, just run over your boot with a rag and buff out any extra. You can see in the shot below of my wife’s boots what the boot looks like before and after.
I have been using this stuff for 12 years, ever since I first bought those Montrails. Never had wet feet from leaky boots either.
There was a lot of snow out today, but Zeus didn’t mind!
You can get it at any reputable outdoor store, REI has it http://www.rei.com/product/764880
Happy New Year.
-Joe
Great post! Thanks so much for sno sealing both my boots this weekend, you are awesome!! EMS Boulder sucked!!!
That's a great looking dog! Tres regal.