Specific-Skin CareUpdated a year ago
Specific-Skin Care
Alligator, Caiman, Lizard, Turtle, Hornback, Anteater, Elephant, and Antelope
These exotic leathers are typically more dry than cowhides. They all have irregular surfaces, and as such, they need more frequent conditioning to prevent splitting. They are more vulnerable to dust settling into creases, unfortunately resulting in more speedy damage. Their hard, beautiful surfaces also make it more challenging to get conditioner thoroughly into the skin. We recommend using thinner coats of conditioner more frequently - these boots can dry out just sitting in the closet!
Boot Trees are also a great investment to help care for these exotics. They keep the skins the correct size when your boots are not being worn.
Snakeskin
Snakeskin leathers are typically more dry than cowhides. They have irregular surfaces, and as such, they need more frequent conditioning to prevent splitting. They are more vulnerable to dust settling into creases, unfortunately resulting in more speedy damage. Their hard, beautiful surfaces also make it more challenging to get conditioner thoroughly into the skin.
We have a specific Reptile Boot Cleaner that we highly recommend for snakeskin boots. It is vital that, when conditioning snakeskin, never go against the direction of the skin. This will cause damage to your boots. We recommend that you either rub the boots in the direction of the skin with a smooth cloth or dab the boots with your cloth. This will clean and condition them without hurting the skin.
Boot Trees are also a great investment to help care for these exotics. They keep the skins the correct size when your boots are not being worn.
Goat, Eel, and Calf
These leathers can be treated the same as regular cowhide, so we recommend that you clean and condition them periodically. However, because they are lighter weight and both thinner and softer, they cannot take rough wear. They crease more easily and sharply and dirt will cause greater damage. As such, they must be cared for more often.
Suede and Authentic Hide
We recommend our Suede cleaning kit to quickly remove marks, spots, and any soil stains. Rub the suede bar back and forth in many directions on the intended spot, then brush the spot with the brush to make the spot smooth again.
Oiled, Tanned, and Work Leathers
These boots have a lot of extra oils put into them during production, but throughout wear, oil will be pulled out.
While these boots will work hard for you, you have to be sure to care for them properly. Unlike other leathers, you can use a heavy coat of oil on work boots - these leathers are prepared to soak oil up. Mink oil is highly recommended, but there are other options.
If your work boots become highly saturated in snow or water, clean them and oil them immediately. This will slow the drying process but will help to get the oils down deep into the leather. Be sure to allow them to dry at room temperature - speeding up the process will cause cracking.
Oil-tanned leather work boots are not purchased for their looks. They have been specially prepared for rough wear and very little care. Boots made of this leather can withstand almost anything short of outright abuse.