Conditioner for boot leather inner lining?

[JadeAsp]

Hello,

 

I bought a pair of La Sportiva Pamir boots with a leather inner lining. The care instructions specified treating the lining with Lexol or saddle soap. I could find neither where I live so I wrongly figured I could make do with just cleaning the leather with a wet rag after every use. After 3 years and about 60 days of hiking in the boots, the inner leather started to crack and form ragged holes. It’s a pity since the boots are otherwise awesome and the outside of the boots, which I took care of well with Nikwax cream, is almost like new. If only I had taken better care of the lining they would have lasted me another 5 years easily.

 

So now I ordered a new pair and this time I want to give them the full TLC. But since I cannot find Lexol where I live and it would be a hassle to order it, I would like your advice on alternative products. La Sportiva customer service was of no help. The products I can find locally are: Simoniz Leather Care, Sonax, Leatherique, Meguiar's Gold Class, Mafra. Are you familiar with any of these and do you think they would be suitable? What should I look for in a suitable product?

 

More detailed descriptions of these can be found here:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simoniz-1831669-SIM32-500ml-Leather/dp/B005BP6XN2

http://www.sonax.com/Product-Search/%28node%29/12867/291141-SONAX-Leather-care-lotion

http://www.amazon.com/Leatherique-Rejuvenator-Oil-16-oz/dp/B0002SPCAI

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g18616-gold-class-leather-conditioner/

http://www.amazon.it/Mafra-Trattamento-Pelle-Detergente-Interni/dp/B00BAODUFW

 

Also, how often should I apply the conditioner to the lining? As in, once how many days of hiking or months overall?

 

Edited March 8, 2016 by JadeAsp

[JadeAsp]

Hello,

 

I bought a pair of La Sportiva Pamir boots with a leather inner lining. The care instructions specified treating the lining with Lexol or saddle soap. I could find neither where I live so I wrongly figured I could make do with just cleaning the leather with a wet rag after every use. After 3 years and about 60 days of hiking in the boots, the inner leather started to crack and form ragged holes. It’s a pity since the boots are otherwise awesome and the outside of the boots, which I took care of well with Nikwax cream, is almost like new. If only I had taken better care of the lining they would have lasted me another 5 years easily.

 

So now I ordered a new pair and this time I want to give them the full TLC. But since I cannot find Lexol where I live and it would be a hassle to order it, I would like your advice on alternative products. La Sportiva customer service was of no help. The products I can find locally are: Simoniz Leather Care, Sonax, Leatherique, Meguiar's Gold Class, Mafra. Are you familiar with any of these and do you think they would be suitable? What should I look for in a suitable product?

 

More detailed descriptions of these can be found here:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simoniz-1831669-SIM32-500ml-Leather/dp/B005BP6XN2

http://www.sonax.com/Product-Search/%28node%29/12867/291141-SONAX-Leather-care-lotion

http://www.amazon.com/Leatherique-Rejuvenator-Oil-16-oz/dp/B0002SPCAI

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g18616-gold-class-leather-conditioner/

http://www.amazon.it/Mafra-Trattamento-Pelle-Detergente-Interni/dp/B00BAODUFW

 

Also, how often should I apply the conditioner to the lining? As in, once how many days of hiking or months overall?

 

[tleaf]

I have used Lexol leather conditioner. Seems to work OK. Can't remember if I read a general recommendation about it or if Tecnica suggested this for their leather lined mountaineering boots.