New Boots

I received a pair of Scarpa SL M3's for my birthday. I've never owned a pair of all-leather hiking boots before--especially one's this nice--, so I'm looking for tips about caring for these boots so they can last the next Decade or so...

I had a pair of Fabiano Trionics (all leather) for 20+ years. As for what I did to maintain them:
Back when I got these the only protection available was sno-seal; so that is what I used (today there are other products and many poo-poo sno-seal). I treated the outside leather every 6 months, and I treated the inside leather with a nice leather cleaner/moisturizer every year or so. I did this for the life of the boot and they held up great, the leather was top-notch and I never had a problem. In fact I just sold them on ebay due to my foot changing and the person who got them was very happy with his purchase. Now I have all-leather Banffs by Lowa. I will always be an all-leather boot person. Goretex + full leather outers = foot puddles (see my Asolo TPS 520 review). Good luck and from what I heard, you have an excellent boot.

Mink oil. As often as they look even slightly dried out. I had a pair of old school Vasque mountaineering boots that the uppers outlasted the vibram sole - and that's supposed to be impossible to do. The only treatment I ever gave those boots was Mink oil, and they spent several years in Alaska as my everyday footwear.

According to everything I've read (including on this site's how-to section), you want to avoid oil based products because they make the leather too supple to support properly.

Call the folk at Scarpa, 866.998.2895, they'll know how to care for their boots. Steve

Hi .. i am a trained bootfitter at a specialty outdoor store. as previously stated, oil-based products are no longer recommended .. very old school stuff. they will soften the leather and therefore you will lose some of the natural support the leather should provide. and yes, i am old enough to have used bear grease and snowseal in my earlier years. water-based products by grangers and nikwak are preferable and work well .. i think grangers lasts longer http://www.grangersusa.com/

i am not affliated with grangers at all, just thru use prefer their products but either one will work.

One more thing. If the boots continue to please you but the soles start to wear down, you can get them resoled. My local outfitter sent my boots to Komito Boots in Colorado. Initially I was skeptical that resoles would keep me happy but I have had Komito's resole them twice and I will continue to resole them for as long as they perform.