Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web. We have fun here, come on in and be a part of it.
User avatar
johral
Posts: 65
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:43 pm

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by johral » Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:53 pm

yoyoing wrote:
Thu Dec 17, 2020 7:55 pm
]

Does the Nikwax discolor the leather similar to the Hydrobloc?
Fisheater's photos show a pretty drastic darkening using the Hydrobloc.
Thanks :D
Yes it does. Only a spray type treatment will keep the color from darkening.

User avatar
lilcliffy
Posts: 4147
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:20 pm
Location: Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada
Ski style: backcountry Nordic ski touring
Favorite Skis: Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Amundsen, Rabb 68; Altai Kom
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska BC; Lundhags Expedition; Alfa Skaget XP; Scarpa T4
Occupation: Forestry Professional
Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by lilcliffy » Sat Dec 19, 2020 1:15 pm

If the treatment doesn't darken that split leather on the Alaska it is not conditioning it and the leather will dry out and eventually crack.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.



User avatar
yoyoing
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2019 6:33 pm

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by yoyoing » Sat Dec 19, 2020 1:35 pm

lilcliffy wrote:
Sat Dec 19, 2020 1:15 pm
If the treatment doesn't darken that split leather on the Alaska it is not conditioning it and the leather will dry out and eventually crack.
Makes sense - good to know!
I got the Nikwax since that's what was available locally.
I'll let you guys know how it works out this season.



User avatar
lilcliffy
Posts: 4147
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:20 pm
Location: Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada
Ski style: backcountry Nordic ski touring
Favorite Skis: Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Amundsen, Rabb 68; Altai Kom
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska BC; Lundhags Expedition; Alfa Skaget XP; Scarpa T4
Occupation: Forestry Professional
Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by lilcliffy » Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:12 pm

Stephen wrote:
Wed Dec 02, 2020 1:21 pm
Woodserson wrote:
Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:07 am
Thanks for doing this test!

The hydrobloc is quite greasy. I avoided the nikwax because I thought it was waxy. I have done ONE alaska boot in Hydrobloc. Maybe I'll do the other in Nikwax!
I probably don’t need to add this comment, but, Mr. Woods mentioned “waxy,” so just want to reiterate that I was told by a Nikwax rep that, even though the Nikwax product has “Wax” in its product name, it does not contain wax.
This is correct- I have asked this same question of Nikwax (many times over the years :oops: )- Nikwax "Waterproofing Wax for Leather" is not a wax-based product (I know- VERY confusing):
https://www.nikwax.com/en-us/products/w ... r-leather/
Read the subtitle- "WaterBased waterproofing cream"-
For deep treatment- get the leather wet.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.



User avatar
trinacu
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:33 pm
Occupation: computer whisperer

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by trinacu » Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:34 am

I put my boots in towels and am waiting for them to soak - how do I know how much HydroBloc to put on? Any indications or something I should be aware of?



User avatar
lilcliffy
Posts: 4147
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:20 pm
Location: Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada
Ski style: backcountry Nordic ski touring
Favorite Skis: Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Amundsen, Rabb 68; Altai Kom
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska BC; Lundhags Expedition; Alfa Skaget XP; Scarpa T4
Occupation: Forestry Professional
Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by lilcliffy » Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:39 am

The leather just needs to be damp for it to increase absorption.
I leave them overnight with a new boot-
A couple few hours on an older maintained boot-

If one stays on top of regular touch-up maintenance the boot will get to the point that you may never need a full treatment.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.



User avatar
trinacu
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:33 pm
Occupation: computer whisperer

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by trinacu » Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:51 am

Ah, I'll leave them to soak well then. What I was asking is how do I know when I have used enough cream? Does it stop being absorbed by the leather? Then wait a few minutes and rub the excess off with a towel?



User avatar
lilcliffy
Posts: 4147
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:20 pm
Location: Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada
Ski style: backcountry Nordic ski touring
Favorite Skis: Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Amundsen, Rabb 68; Altai Kom
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska BC; Lundhags Expedition; Alfa Skaget XP; Scarpa T4
Occupation: Forestry Professional
Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by lilcliffy » Wed Dec 23, 2020 11:06 am

Oh-
Well the split leather will take a lot on the first thorough treatment.
I use it "sparingly"- adding a pea-sized amount at a time so as not to wast any.
I keep adding more until it won't absorb any more.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.



User avatar
Genoah77
Posts: 38
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2019 10:31 am
Location: Alberta
Favorite boots: Alaskas
Website: https://www.keepitsecretadventures.com

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by Genoah77 » Wed Dec 23, 2020 8:41 pm

I conditioned my Alaskas last year with hydrobloc as per Gareth's suggestion, but I have a question: I bought some Steger mukluks made of moose hide that came with a water-based spray bottle called Snow-Proof Water & Stain Repellent. I don't know what's in it, but the manufacturer says it's non-greasy. This is recommended to use by the boot manufacturer, but I am considering using my hydrobloc. Any suggestions?



User avatar
trinacu
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:33 pm
Occupation: computer whisperer

Re: Alpina Alaska Boot Treatment

Post by trinacu » Mon Jan 04, 2021 3:32 am

I have been out with my pair a couple of times now. Every time I am done the leather at the tongue (? the part that covers your shin) seems to be cracking or is just super dry? It happens where the laces go over it - am I tightening it too much? The laces appear to pull water (and this cream) out of the leather? Every time I finish I use some more cream at this spot and also lower at the crease between the rivets. Should i have used more cream in the first place?
Attaching picture after run and after another application. Should the whole boot be as dark as this spot is in the after photo?
IMG_20210101_1630312.jpg
IMG_20201231_160540.jpg



Post Reply