6 Best Oils For Leather Boots (Review) In 2022

There’s nothing worse than having to throw away a pair of old leather boots that you love. Leather boots can become a companion. Because they are so hard-wearing, you can own them for years and get really attached to them. The thing is, a lot of people treat leather boots like any normal pair of shoes. Once they are tired and worn, they get chucked away. But what people don’t realize is that leather is like skin – it needs care and attention, and you can actually make it look younger. In this article, we’ve focused on finding the best oil for leather boots, so you can bring your old trusty pair back to life. Or, if you’ve just got a new pair, you can look after them properly.
The Best Oil For Leather Boots
1. Sof Sole Conditioning Mink Oil For Leather Boots

3.5oz (99g) container
5-15% mink oil, 55-85% tallow, 10% glycerol
Dries quickly
May darken some leathers
Sof Sole Mink Oil is one of the most popular products to use on leather boots. The reason is that it is higher in saturated fats, which gives it a longer shelf life and means that it can sit in the cracks of your boots for longer. The problem is, it can be quite expensive. It’s rendered from the fat that is removed from mink pelts before they get turned into coats and scarves.
So, why is this product so cheap? Well, there’s a couple of reasons. First, there’s not much of it. It comes in a small tub that holds 3.5 ounces or 99 grams, so you’ll probably need a couple of tubs if you have more than one pair of boots. And secondly, it’s not strictly mink oil. In fact, it’s somewhere between 5-15% and the rest is tallow and glycerol.
Nearly 1000 5-star reviews on Amazon.
Very affordable.
Waterproofing works.
Dries quickly.
Darkens most leathers.
Doesn’t give boots any shine.
2. Obenauf’s Conditioning Oil For Leather Boots

16 FL. OZ
Naturally preserving oils, beeswax, and propolis
Dauber applicator included
May darken some leathers
Made in the USA
The next product on this list is Obenauf’s Leather Oil. The first thing you’ll notice about it is that it’s a lot more expensive than the first product. The main reason for that is the bigger container, but it’s also because it’s a liquid product – it’s harder to package and distribute so it tends to be more expensive. But, other than that, it basically does the same thing.
This leather boot oil is made from beeswax and propolis. This is a natural solution that is famed for its durability and waterproofing properties. The reason for this is that it’s really dry and oil-free, so it actually forms a protective layer on top of the leather. But this product isn’t just designed for that, it’s a pretty impressive all-rounder. In the product description, they claim that it comes highly recommended for new leather items, like stiff leather boots. Anyone that’s bought a high-quality pair of leather boots will know that there’s a frustrating ‘breaking-in’ period where the boots can be really uncomfortable. Obenauf’s Leather Oil shortens that period and helps you avoid covering your feet with blisters.
Dauber applicator is very useful.
Makes boots waterproof and durable.
Shortens ‘break-in’ period.
Can darken leather.
Doesn’t smell great.
3. Huberd’s Oil For Leather Boots

8 FL. OZ
Contains beeswax
May darken some leathers
Made in the USA
Huberd’s have been making products to keep leather boots looking good since the 1920s. So, it’s fair to assume that they know a thing or two about making a quality shoe oil. This product is one of their most popular and actually hasn’t changed much in the last century. It’s obvious that the packaging is designed to reflect that. It looks like the kind of product that you’d find gathering dust in your grandparents’ garage. But we can assure you that it will work just as well as any modern boot oil on this list.
One of the best things about Huberd’s Shoe Oil is the fact that it’s free from solvents, animal fats, and additives that could damage the leather. It’s actually quite hard to find out all of the ingredients of this product, but we know that one of the main ingredients is beeswax.
The vintage bottle looks great.
Works really well on old boots.
Free from solvents, additives, & animal fats.
Can darken leather.
Small tub.
4. Bickmore 100% Pure Neatsfoot Oil Leather Conditioner

32 FL. OZ
Made from cattle shin bones and feet
May darken some leathers
Made in the USA
If you thought the last company has a long history, Bickmore has been making quality products since 1882. That means it was probably used on cowboy boots that were worn by actual cowboys. Although we don’t have any evidence to back up that claim. Either way, they’ve been in business long enough to prove that their products work. The reviews on Amazon are another indication that this is a pretty awesome boot oil. It doesn’t have any bad reviews, except for one guy who received an empty package.
Bickmore 100% pure Neatsfoot Oil is one of the natural products on this list. The ‘neat’ part of the name comes from an Old English word for cattle, so it literally means cattle’s foot oil. This should give you an indication as to what the product is made from. It’s a yellow oil that’s rendered from the shins and feet of cattle. This might sound inhumane, but it’s actually a way of making use of parts of the cattle that aren’t normally eaten. The reason this type of oil is so effective is that it soaks easily into the leather, creating a protective layer and giving an even finish.
Neatsfoot oil is tried and tested.
Company has a long history of making leather oils.
Free from solvents, additives, & animal fats.
Can darken leather.
5. Red Wing Heritage All-Natural Boot Oil-U

8 FL. OZ
Mink oil and pine pitch
May darken some leathers
Made in the USA
Red Wing Heritage All-Natural Boot Oil-U is one of the most famous boot oils on the market. If you look on any list of the best boot oils, this one is always in the top ten. The reason is pretty simple – it works. In terms of ingredients, it’s most similar to the Sof Sole Mink Oil that we featured as our Best Choice product, but it’s a bit more expensive and has an ingredient called pine pitch.
Pine pitch is basically a tar that is created during the carbonization of pine wood. It’s mixed with mink oil to create a blend that perfectly conditions the leather. Like all of the boot oils, it darkens the leather. But this one also gives it a pine aroma, which is much more pleasant than some of the oils on this list.
Pine aroma is pleasant.
Cool vintage bottle.
Effective for waterproofing.
Sometimes leaks in the post.
6. Tanners Leather Oil

32 FL. OZ
Great for harnesses and saddles
Won’t darken most leathers
All-purpose leather conditioner
Tanners Leather Oil is very popular amongst the equestrian community. Unlike a lot of the other leather oils on this list, this one isn’t exclusively designed for boots. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great option. On the front of the bottle, it mentions four main uses – saddles/harnesses, ball gloves, boots/shoes, and leather interiors. That tells you that this is a really versatile product. It’s an all-purpose leather conditioner.
We’d definitely recommend this product to people that have multiple uses for leather oil. The reason is that it comes in a large bottle (32 FL. OZ), so you get plenty of product for a few jobs. Some of the cheaper leather oils are really just for one use.
Great all-around leather conditioner.
Perfect if you have more than one leather item to restore.
Doesn’t darken the leather.
Not as good on boots.
Oil For Leather Boots Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of The Best Oils For Leather Boots
Reviews - It doesn’t matter what product we’re testing; we always check the customer reviews first. It’s the best place to find an honest opinion about a product because the customer has no incentive to lie. If they don’t like it, they’ll take to the internet to tell everyone. Having said that, almost every product in the world has a couple of bad reviews, so we don’t base our decision purely on this.
Price - We also check out the price of each item. Often, the reason you’re buying oil for your leather boots is that you don’t want to buy new ones, or you want to make your current ones last longer. So, it kind of makes it pointless if the boot oil is really expensive. We try to include a range of different priced items. Check out our Best Value and Premium Product items for the two ends of the spectrum.
Features To Look For In Oils For Leather Boots
Ingredients - Boot oil is generally made from mink oil, beeswax, neatsfoot oil, or pine pitch. You should be careful to avoid anything that contains animal fats, solvents, and additives, as these can harm the leather.
Quantity - When you’re checking out the different boot oil products on this list, make sure you check the quantity as well as the price. Some bottles hold a lot more liquid than others.
How To Oil Leather Boots
There are a few key steps to oiling a pair of boots.
First, you need to clean them thoroughly. Use a bowl of warm water and a brush to get any dirt and dust off them.
Then, heat them up a little bit. This helps the oil penetrate the leather and dries up any excess moisture. You can put them in the sun, use a hairdryer, or use an oven for about 10 or 20 minutes.
When they’re warm, apply the oil liberally. Make sure you get into the seams and stitches to make sure they’re waterproof.
Leave the oil on the boots and keep them somewhere warm. You can stick them back in the oven for a bit.
Oil For Leather Boots FAQ
Q: How often do I need to oil my boots?
A: The answer to this depends on many variables. For example, where you live, how often you wear them, and the quality of the leather can all have an impact on how regularly they need conditioning. As a general rule, we’d recommend oiling your boots every 1-6 months. Use your eyes – if they look tired, give them some oil.
Q: What are the benefits of oiling my boots?
A: There are many benefits to oiling your boots. They will last longer, they will handle abrasion better, they will become waterproof, and it makes them look like new. Leather is the same as skin, if you look after it, it will stay in better condition for longer. For the best results, you should regularly apply leather oil to new leather.