Preserving footware

[George]

I know footwear is important in survival and does not last long in a wet muddy environments. What would be the best way to preserve leather and stitching on footwear. Would candle wax, bees wax, petroleum jelly or a combination be a good solution?

Also if in a situation without the above products would animal fat do the job or would this cause the item to smell or rot?

[Midnitemo]

I've been stockpiling workboots...i put an order in as often as i dare for safety footwear...got seven pairs boots in stock at the mo....unless you really love the particular boots i wouldn't bother there just consumable items and i dont think post shtf unless you have a really huge shoe size there will be to much difficulty replacing footwear for a good long time.

[bigpaul]

unless your a size 11 like me, I get a stock in whenever I can, got 6 pairs of walking boots and replace them every time I wear out a pair.

[SecretPrepper]

you can preserve leather footware by rubbing wax or petroleum jelly after a long time of wearing in wet muddy environments. brush mud off with warm water and a brush then heat the boot and the wax and rub it in deep.
Looking after your foot wear is important.

I wouldn't know about the animal fat. Research into American pioneers or reinactors to find out what they do

[I-K-E]

stock up on dubbin

It consists of natural wax, oil and tallow and dubbin has been used since medieval times to waterproof and soften leather boots.

[George]

Thanks. Have ordered some dubbin. Never heard of it before but from what I have read could have done with the stuff a long time ago.

[Mortblanc]

[SecretPrepper]

[Highlander]

stock up on dubbin

It consists of natural wax, oil and tallow and dubbin has been used since medieval times to waterproof and soften leather boots.

This is as good as it gets, I think,.. a great product, I have used it for as long as I have had boots on my feet,.. [ long time.. ]

[CharlesHarris]