In 2024, there will be 5 best leather conditioners to make your boots shine.

Real leather boots are worth the investment. They last longer and require maintenance. Without the best leather conditioners for boots, you’re essentially throwing money down the drain as the leather cracks and fades.

It’s no secret that conditioning my boots has become a sort of hobby. My boots are a ritual that I enjoy. I clean them, apply cream or oil and let them dry.

The entire process doesn’t take longer than twenty minutes, and it needs to be done only every couple of weeks, barring you wearing them most days.

You will need the best leather conditioning products for boots to achieve this. I’ll admit, it can be stressful to swipe some brand new product all over your prized shoes, but I’ve made sure all the conditioners I’ve highlighted here are up to par. You can be sure that these conditioners will protect, soften, and moisturize your boots.

Be confident with your leather boot conditioning skills by learning the best methods for conditioning them.

How to condition leather boots

1. Boots to be cleaned
   Using a horsehair brush (a toothbrush works, too—unused, of course) brush down the boots. The leather will be heated, releasing the oils and waxes. It also removes dirt and dust that you don’t want to push into your boots with the cream. Leather cleaner can be used if you have grungy boots. first. I usually wipe my city boots down with a wet paper towel.
2. Work in the cream
   You can either use a clean, cotton cloth to rub the cream into your skin or you can use your hands. The conditioner will be able to reach all creases. Less is better. You’ll want to work it in well, but don’t go overboard using too much conditioner.
3. Buff it Out 
   Use the horsehair brush to buff it using downward strokes. This will work the polish into leather, remove excess product and coat the boot evenly.
4. Wipe + dry
   To finish, wipe them down with a nice soft cloth. You can use shoe trees to dry them at room temperature. It’s best not to condition them right before you need to wear them. It’s best to condition them overnight.

The Key Takeaways 

When searching for the best leather conditioners for boots, I started by peeking through my shoe cabinet, examining all of the internet’s offerings, and meticulously sifting through buying guides, customer reviews, and the wisdom of the experts.

Undoubtedly, topping the list of the best leather conditioners for boots is Cobbler’s Choice because it tackles the three most important things: weather resistance, moisturization, and covering up scuffs. All of these things are accomplished by listing the all-natural ingredients.

If a bit of tried-and-true luxury is what you’re after, you’ll surely be pleased by the ‘gold standard’ cult favorite brand Saphir Renovateur, which uses mink oil to condition and shine boots into a gorgeous luster.

Why it’s great: Cobbler’s Choice is easily the top pick among the best leather conditioners for boots because it moisturizes leather, improves weather resistance, and covers up scuffs like a charm.

Transparency is what makes it stand out. It’s the only company I’ve come across that actually lists out their all-natural ingredients. It uses beeswax for water resistance, seed oils to soften, and naturally occurring lipids to help the seed oils penetrate the leather’s pores.

You can get the conditioner along with a microfiber cloth or brush. These are essential tools to condition leather boots. The company also offers a useful guide for how to maintain suede boots and shoes.

For whom is this?: If boots are an everyday accessory for you, then you’ll love this durable leather conditioner. It’s perfect for boots that are frequently exposed to the elements.

The flaws are not the end of the world This product does not change the color of leather much, but it is noticeable. Unfortunately, this is pretty common with leather conditioners. Leather type

Feature: The following are some of the most effective ways to get in touch with each otherProduct Type-natural, transparent ingredients | Leather type: All | Product typeCreamThe Application Process  | Application ProcessCloth and brush

Why it’s great: Venetian Shoe Cream is great because it softens leather and conditions them. It’s also a good price. It’s non-toxic, free of silicones, and odorless, which is great for those who are averse to strong smells.

Regardless of smell, I think you’ll love its effect on your boots. One reviewer in particular loves using it as the final step in polishing because it gives boots that ‘spit-shined’ look adopted in the military.

For whom is this?:  It is a great feeling to get more life from your boots, without having the leather darken.

The flaws are not the end of the world Leather type Despite this making my list of the best leather conditioners for boots, I do wish it were better at waterproofing.

Feature: Silicone-free, non-toxic | Leather type: The following are some of the most effective ways to get in touch with each otherProduct Type | Product typeCreamThe Application Process | Application ProcessCloth and brush

Why it’s great: This leather conditioner is beloved by boot aficionados, and not just because it won the Medaille d’Or in Paris for unmatched quality way back in 1925. It preserves, softens and waterproofs leather without altering its color.

What seems to set it apart is the brand’s use of mink oil, which is more self-stable than other animal fats, meaning it lasts longer. This, combined with a variety of waxes, comprises their all-natural formula that conditions and shines, enhancing the boots’ patina as they age.

For whom is this?: No matter if the leather is thick cowboy or thin top-grain, this conditioner is ideal. It’s a good, safe choice among the best leather conditioners for boots, with generations of satisfied customers to back it up.

The flaws are not the end of the world The product claims to contain no solvents, but does have some alcohol. However, that hasn’t seemed to taint its cult following thus far.

Feature: All-natural waterproofs, softens and preserves Leather type | Leather type: The following are some of the most effective ways to get in touch with each otherProduct Type | Product typeCreamThe Application Process  | Application ProcessCloth and brush

Why it’s great: Leather Honey is the best-selling leather conditioner on Amazon, but it doesn’t apply evenly. For your precious boots, that just won’t do.

Bickmore, like many other brands on this list, has a rich heritage and 142 years’ experience, which is an excellent sign. It’s considered a 4-in-1 product, meaning it conditions, cleans, polishes, and protects your boots, although I would still recommend cleaning your boots before applying this product.

Unlike the other leather conditioners on this list, it’s wax-free, which ensures the pores of the leather won’t seal up, keeping things breathable and soft.

For whom is this?: I love this leather conditioner because it’s truly safe for any pair of boots, regardless of color. That’s because it won’t darken the leather.

 There are flaws, but they’re not deal breakers. Although softness, breathability, and shine are Bick 4’s forte, buffing out scuffs and waterproofing fall a bit to the wayside.

Feature: Natural, wax free, will not darken the leather Leather type | Leather type: The following are some of the most effective ways to get in touch with each otherType of Product | Product typeCreamThe Application Process  | Application ProcessCloth and brush

Why it’s great: Isn’t that the cutest tin? In all seriousness, though, Huberd’s is hardly cute, it’s downright tough, especially if you need extensive waterproofing.

Beeswax is a great way to protect leather. Pine tar also works well. It can also be used to rejuvenate old leather that is soiled and prevent it from cracking. It softens and conditions leather boots, as well as waterproofing them.

For whom is this?: This leather conditioner works best on leathers that are used frequently, like the leather in your favorite boots.

The flaws are not the end of the world Reviewers have noted a strong ‘campfire’ or ‘bacon’ smell. It also indicates that most leather will be darkened.

Feature: Natural Wax Free Leather type | Leather type: SoftProduct Type | Product typeGreaseThe Application Process  | Application ProcessCloth

Considerations to Make When Purchasing the Best Leather Conditioners for Boots

Ingredients

Most of the time, the best leather conditioners are made with natural ingredients. Just don’t expect them to be fully transparent about it—unless you’re Cobbler’s Choice. While some brands don’t use waxes to protect the leather and keep in the natural oils, the majority do.

The best leather conditioners boots contain other ingredients that are safe, such as pine tar and mink oil. You’ll want to avoid silicones, which is easy, considering none on this list contain any.

Leather Darkening 

Whether you already know a lot about leather conditioners or this article is your first foray, you’ve seen me mention whether a conditioner darkens the leather. They do, because they are all natural, and their oil saturation is apparent. But the question is how much.

Fortunately, all of the options on this list of the best leather conditioners for boots are pretty safe in that regard, but if you’re especially precious about the exact tone of your boots, then your best bet is Bick 4.

Waterproofing 

This is the one that I would recommend out of all of the leather conditioners. The products in this list moisturize leather and keep it soft. However, not all waterproof boots.

This might not matter to you if you don’t do a ton of outside walking in your leather shoes,; but if you live in a city or spend time outdoors in your boots, be sure to choose a conditioner that will take care of that. Otter Wax is a great product to use for waterproofing your boots.

How We Selected 

There are so many leather conditioners for boots available from so many retailers that it can be difficult to know which is the best.

So, I’ve made it my mission to do my due diligence by searching for the most time-honored, reputable brands that utilize effective, transparent ingredients. I read customer reviews to see which products people love, why they like them and if the customers buy those products again.

Reputation of the company: It was fun to find out what the best leather conditioners are for boots. The youngest brand on the list is from the ’70s, and the oldest is from 1882!

Although it’s not necessarily a company’s fault if they’re newer, I definitely take into account how long a company has been effectively providing its service and how well it treats those customers over the years.

Customer Reviews Are people glowing or angry? Customer reviews help me determine how people feel after using a leather conditioner on their boots. What did people do without the internet?

Price: It was easy to do, given how reasonably priced leather conditioners in general are. However, there are some options that just seemed too cheap and others whose price was too steep for what you’re getting. Overall, I tried to account for a variety of price ranges so everybody’s happy.

Why Trust Us?

As you can see, Rachel Cascella, a staff writer at FashionBeans, knows a lot about boots. A seasoned writer here at FashionBeans, Rachel has written extensively on many topics in the men’s fashion realm.

Her ability to compare, test, and research a wide array of products means you’re getting advice that’s not only fashionable but also functional, meeting the needs of a discerning audience. Rachel is a leading voice in grooming and fashion because she has a wealth of experience and an eye for what really works.

Final Verdict

Ultimately, the best leather conditioners for boots should use natural ingredients to revitalize old leather into a supple, moisturized state while also improving its resistance to water and inclement weather, much like my top pick, Cobbler’s Choice. A good product will also soften the newer boots and ease the breaking-in process.