Help me (try to) save a pair of work boots

[OnTheWarpath15]

I'm guessing these boots are ****ed, and it's my own fault, but I thought I'd check with the fine folks of CP and see if you had any suggestions.

A buddy of mine was a rep for Wolverine boots a while back, and had given me a pair. I've worn them precisely once.

The problem is, that the night I wore them (chasing one of the dogs that got loose in a monsoon) I took them off in the garage, completely caked in mud and forgot about them.

So they've been sitting in our garage, caked in mud, exposed to the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

I'm guessing the leather is ****ed, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me any tips on removing the caked on mud without further damaging the leather, and getting them cleaned up as best as possible.

I'm just pissed because I normally take extremely good care of my things, I completely forgot I even had the boots, much less where I had put them.

Rep for useful suggestions, I've tried antifreeze, it doesn't work.

[kstater]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Lol I've tried them all

None last significantly longer than the others. Hell I can get 6 months out of a 30 dollar pair from walmart. And I can pay over a hundred and get 8 maybe 10. No pair has ever lasted me a year.
Posted via Mobile Device

I'm in the same boat. Can pay $30 at Wal-Mart for 3 months of use or pay $100 for some columbia's and get 9 months to a year. Not a major difference.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by kstater

I'm in the same boat. Can pay $30 at Wal-Mart for 3 months of use or pay $100 for some columbia's and get 9 months to a year. Not a major difference.

What do you do, if I may ask.
Posted via Mobile Device

[kstater]

Originally Posted by Wyndex

I've had a pair of work boots since November 06 and they're still rocking. Wear them all the time in the snow, worn them at all my jobs (labor/factories/construction) and they're beat to shit but still alive.

My friends they are Dunham 8000's

if you're interested

These:



are not workboots

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by kstater

I'm in the same boat. Can pay $30 at Wal-Mart for 3 months of use or pay $100 for some columbia's and get 9 months to a year. Not a major difference.

If you are willing to step up to Whites, that WILL change. They are all but bullet proof.

http://www.whitesboots.com/

[SAUTO]

Bwana, will they hold up for me?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Norman Einstein]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'm guessing these boots are ****ed, and it's my own fault, but I thought I'd check with the fine folks of CP and see if you had any suggestions.

A buddy of mine was a rep for Wolverine boots a while back, and had given me a pair. I've worn them precisely once.

The problem is, that the night I wore them (chasing one of the dogs that got loose in a monsoon) I took them off in the garage, completely caked in mud and forgot about them.

So they've been sitting in our garage, caked in mud, exposed to the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

I'm guessing the leather is ****ed, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me any tips on removing the caked on mud without further damaging the leather, and getting them cleaned up as best as possible.

I'm just pissed because I normally take extremely good care of my things, I completely forgot I even had the boots, much less where I had put them.

Rep for useful suggestions, I've tried antifreeze, it doesn't work.

In the past I've used mink oil on boots, I don't know if it is good to restore dryed leather. I suggest going to a shoe repair shop and asking those guys, the ones I've used in the past can give you some professional advice - free. They may also have the product you need.

If you are looking for new boots I can recommend Red Wing. They are high dollar, but the pairs I've had through the years have outlasted all other brands. My first pair was used in construction, they were insulated for the winter, saved my feet from the cold. I had to get a summer pair after the winter was past. I think I wore those two pair for 4 years in construction. I changed professions and needed steel toe electrically insulated boots. I've had this pair for 7 years and they are still going strong. The plus to every pair of Red Wings I've had is that their price spaced over the years comes out to about $35 a year per pair for the first two pairs. The current pair is somewhere around $20 a year. I haven't even had to change the shoe strings on my current set of shoes.

When my son's started working and needed good work boots I bought them Red Wings.

[stevieray]

I have a pair of Georgia Workboots (loggers)..had em seven years...still tough as nails and fit like a glove

breaking them in was a bitch, but well worth it.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Bwana, will they hold up for me?
Posted via Mobile Device

Yes they will. I have had a pair for 10 years, have tried to kill them and haven't done it yet. They are expensive, but in this case, you get what you pay for bud.

[Wyndex]

Originally Posted by kstater

These:



are not workboots

not if you're talking about steel toed boots that ago go above the ankle *armfold*

[GloryDayz]

You can replace them with this, but it's not as fun!

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Bwana

Yes they will. I have had a pair for 10 years, have tried to kill them and haven't done it yet. They are expensive, but in this case, you get what you pay for bud.

I'll check them out. Thanks. Oil and grease usually will kill the soles, even if they say they are resistant. Those are a pretty penny but I dint give a shit about that,i just need to take care of my feet. Lol
Posted via Mobile Device

[Delano]

I use White's Boot Oil on every pair of boots I have. Fire boots, field boots, hunting boots. Generally, after I build up a nice layer of oil (one application per 5 uses) I'll clean and apply the oil every 10-15 uses.

If I'm shelving the boots between seasons, I add a layer of White's Boot Preservatives. I get the Oil and Preservative at Fire Etc.

For restoration purposes, I've heard some guys who like White's Pecard Oil and Dressing. I've never neglected a pair of boots to the point where restoration is needed, so I can't personally recommend the Pecard stuff.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Pablo]

I have a pair of Caterpillar's. They've held up pretty well over the course of two years, but the tread has almost worn smooth.

Going back to Georgia boots for my next pair.

[SAUTO]

3 months and 6 months respectively. For me.

Originally Posted by PostRockPablo

I have a pair of Caterpillar's. They've held up pretty well over the course of two years, but the tread has almost worn smooth.

Going back to Georgia boots for my next pair.

Posted via Mobile Device

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

I'll check them out. Thanks. Oil and grease usually will kill the soles, even if they say they are resistant. Those are a pretty penny but I dint give a shit about that,i just need to take care of my feet. Lol
Posted via Mobile Device

I would check On-line closeout outfits, Ebay and places like that to try to get a deal, if it were me.

Good Luck!