Will I wreck my leather boots?

[Rainbow83]

Hey everyone, snow is on the ground here in New England, and I've been cooped up inside with remote college finals all week. After my last final tomorrow morning, I'm gonna refresh and relax by getting out for a ski. This season, I've finally got a proper xcd setup that I'm hoping to try out soon, including a gorgeous pair of Asolo Extremes. Now, the issue is this. I've yet to properly treat the boots for the snow. I ordered a couple tubes of Zamberlan Hydrobloc, but it's still in the mail. Could I ski them tomorrow and get away without harming the leather, or should I hold off and ski different gear so I don't totally screw up my boots? The boots, by the way, were a demo pair, so they've never been skied, and there was no previous owner who would have treated them before me. Let me know what you folks think, because I'd love to ski the new boots tomorrow, but I'd also never forgive myself if I got them soaking wet and it totally wrecked the leather on an irreplaceable pair of boots. If it really isn't something I should chance, I'm plenty content to bust out the skinny skis and lay down some ks on the groomed stuff.

[wooley12]

Do it. Then pull the insoles and air dry slowly. Have fun.

[lowangle al]

Go for it, they'll be fine.

[fisheater]

Go for it, the boots will be fine, and relax finals will be done and you have snow!

[bauerb]

back in the day when I skied Asolo Extremes, I recall heating them gently in the oven and then slathering in SnowSeal. but it hard to imagine ruining a pair of leather boots by using them a few times without treatment. I'm wondering if anyone has used bacon grease to seal their boots?

[johral]

My grandpa swore by Bear Fat (also said it made the best pie crust). He poured it inside the boot (leather work boots)when it was warm, then after a bit he would pour it out and scrape out what he could. He'd throw away the first pair of socks after treating them and then he was good to go.

As for damaging to boot...not a problem. The leather is often wetted when pulling the upper over the last when making boots.

[bauerb]

I am positive my dad would use bear fat if it he had any. I learned about pine tar and SnowSeal from him.

[paulzo]

getting them wet will not hurt them. Just don't dry them aggressively, as too much heat will cause damage.

[phoenix]

As all have said above; no problem skiing them as is for now. Let them dry thoroughly after.

When you do get around to treating them, I highly recommend sealing the stitching with Seam Grip. This will both help keep them dry (stitching can allow moisture in, and mess up the midsole), and also protect the stitching... particularly where the bail on the binding compresses it. Do the seams before doing the uppers.

[greatgt]

Thanks for the tip Phoenix.....TM