Ok_Ad8503

Ok_Ad8503 t1_j2cbjs6 wrote

I could maybe see doing that if you're planning to store them in a garage for 50 years and you want them to look new. But if you're actually using it I don't think you need it. I have a wallet that's 20 years old. Never once conditioned the leather. I have boots that were 20 years old when I got them 10 years ago. Belonged to my dad. Never conditioned. The stitching and soles will wear out years sooner than the leather. Conditioning leather is like treating wood furniture with a coat of mineral spirits. Does it help to preserve it? Yes. Will it still be there and functioning as intended without if you're using it, also yes. Just saying, if you like to take care of your stuff and make it look like the day you got it I get that. But it's not necessary imho

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Ok_Ad8503 t1_j2c99dm wrote

Over the last 10 years I bought 5 pairs. The first 2 lasted 2.5 years each. Literally put thousands of miles on them. But after wearing holes in the foam foot bed I switched to the leather foot bed. I've had them for 5 years. Wear them daily, year round. I abuse them too. Wear them ocean fishing, take them to the beach, rinse them in salt water. They're built like a tank. They realistically have another 5-10 years left in them. Which is more than I can say for any shoe or boot I've ever bought. And they're comfortable on top of all that.

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Ok_Ad8503 t1_j2c8b53 wrote

I disagree with the idea that you have to condition leather for it to last decades. Might look nicer but it will last either way. If you're talking about boots then maybe rinse the mud off. But the leather will outlast the sole more often than not.

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