Footwear Cleaners/Treatments

Recent Footwear Cleaner/Treatment Reviews

Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof

The only thing as effective as Nixwax Suede is doing absolutely nothing. Applied the first time, no effect. Water absorbed as usual.  Applied the second time, no effect. Water absorbed as usual.  This product has ZERO waterproofing qualities.  Full review

DryGuy Force Dry Shoe & Glove Dryer

Combining low heat with air movement speeds drying greatly. Packs down reasonably small when not in use. The DryGuy Force Dry boot and glove dryer is a vast improvement over the air only boot dryer I have been using for the last 25 years. By introducing 105-degree heat along with air flow the Force Dry has cut my boot drying time in half. The heated air does a much more thorough job of fully drying boots, shoes, and gloves without causing any damage. By getting my equipment fully dry I no longer… Full review

Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP

Outstanding performance. Gives new life to old leather. I'm really impressed with this stuff. I've been wearing leather work boots for decades now. They get a lot of abuse including drops of molten metal, slogging through mud, water and animal crap, lots of abrasion and impact, etc. Usually the leather starts to deteriorate after 12-18 months.  Now, I clean my boots really well with a saddle soap and then apply LP every six months or so. My current pair of work boots are three years old and going… Full review

Nikwax Conditioner for Leather

NEVER USE ON SUEDE!!! My friend tried to weather protect my brand new 100$ Uggs and completely ruined them. They are now blotchy and went from a light brown to a dark brown, almost black. Very very very very upset. In short, read the directions and never use this stuff on suede or you'll ruin anything it touches!! My experience was poor, however it was used incorrectly. Just want to let people know if anyone does try to use it on suede. Full review

Gear Aid Freesole Shoe & Boot Repair

This is an easy-to-use shoe glue for repairs such as detached soles. It dries overnight and holds securely even after severe abuse. About a month ago, I did a review of the Brooks PureGrit 3 trail running shoes. In that review, I pointed out that the sole had begun to separate near the toe on both shoes. Immediately after writing that review, I used some Freesole to re-attach the sole with fantastic results.   EASE OF USE:   Overall, Freesole is pretty easy to use. You just smear a little bit… Full review

Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof

Essential waterproofing treatment for Nubuck and Suede leather. Key in its function is that being water based, Nikwax products typically "go where the water goes". The chemistry here works great! The product wicks into wettable areas and waterproofs them! It is thus self regulating with the leather taking up just as much as needed. Like other Nikwax products this product the application method also cleans during the treatment process. Applied to laces this particular product also helps shed trail… Full review

Nikwax Conditioner for Leather

An ESSENTIAL tool for real world use of leather, such as boots used in the outdoors (works well on indoor shoes too). Restores supple feel and flexibility to dry leather gear. Restores water proofing without hurting the gear. Neutral color, but does increase the color present giving a darkening effect to the leather. Works with Gore Tex and eVent waterproof membrane boots. Nikwax Conditioner for Leather label for bottle used in this review. My wife scored a nice Lowa Albula GTX boot deal this fall… Full review

Gear Aid ReviveX Leather Gel Water Repellent & Conditioner

This product simply does not work. $12 at Sports Authority and an entire bottle of it did NOTHING to make a hat rain repellant. Completely worthless product (except it costs $12). There are other less expensive brands that probably DO work. This product does not work. Sprayed the product on a fur felt hat and let it dry. The rain soaked the hat. Prima facie that the product does not work. The can says it works on jackets, hats, shoes, waders, tents, and packs. Maybe you need to use five or six cans… Full review

Atsko Sno-Seal

For chrome-tanned boots, I've never found anything better to keep the water out. It's hard to beat LoneStranger's review of Sno-Seal! I've only used it on my hiking and climbing boots, so I can't testify to its use on belts and jackets. If it's as good on these other applications as it is on boots, It must be greater than I even thought. I started using Sno-Seal in the mid '60s when I got into serious mountaineering — this really was the only thing available besides silicone liquids which were… Full review