[at-l] questions about boots

[Northern Wind <northernwind@mail.geocities.com>]

Bucky wrote:

>>How often does the typical thru-hiker treat his boots, if at
all? Also, would regular treatment with mink oil, sno-seal,
or whatever increase the trail life of a pair of boots, or are
side abrasion and treadwear greater determinants of footwear
life?<<

When my boots blew out in New York, I think it was a combination
of side abrasion and the lower side leather drying out.  I still 
had some tread left on the Vibram soles at that time.

I used nik-wax or snow seal during my thru at about every other 
town stop (I mailed the stuff a couple of mail drops ahead at 
every other town stop).  The wax seemed to slow down the process of
the leather on the boots drying out. If I was going to do it again, 
I would pay special attention to waxing the stitched areas and try to 
apply nik-wax about every 10 days.  Of course, most boots now
are glued rather than stitched.  I saw a number of glued soles falling 
apart and people trying to do glue repair jobs.  With my Danners at 
the end, the leather got so dried out that the middle, lower portion 
(about three inches in on either side) was peeled off above the 
stitching.  I'm not sure they would have lasted another 100 miles, 
but 2160+ miles isn't half bad.


Quid Pro Quo
GA>ME '96



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