A friend suggested that I extend the life of my leather hiking boots by proactively applying seam-grip to the stitching and the area where the upper meets the sole of the boot. Is this legitimate advice or have the petroleum distillates simply gone to his head?
— Chuck Freeport, Maine
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It's not terrible advice, actually. I wouldn't use Seam Grip, though—that's designed for tents and fabrics. REI sells some stuff called Ultra Seal Welt/Seam Guard ($6; www.rei.com) that's better suited for this application. You could also try Welt-Seal ($5; www.atsko.com), too.
Here's the logic behind using one of these products: The leather on a good pair of boots has the potential to last a lifetime; the stitching, however, will not. Sand, grit, rocks—all that stuff can abrade the stitching, leading to the demise of the boots or the need to have them re-built. By protecting those somewhat vulnerable areas with a coat of sealant—basically a form of glue—you can theoretically prolong your boot's life. Years ago we used to religiously slather the welt (where the boot sole meets the leather upper) with a glue-like material that was a precursor to Welt-Seal. The idea here was largely to keep water out, but also to keep dirt from grinding away at the stitching.
Don't rely only on this, though. The general rule of thumb is to try to keep the boots fairly clean (between uses) and keep the leather in good shape with a conditioner or treatment. When the boots are real dirty, wash them with warm water and scrub with a soft brush. Occasionally rinse out the insides to remove sweat residue. Several times a season, apply something like Nikwax Waterproofing Wax ($7.50; www.rei.com) to help seal the boots against water, while also conditioning the leather. Don't use grease- or oil-based treatments; they'll over-soften the leather.
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It's not terrible advice, actually. I wouldn't use Seam Grip, though—that's designed for tents and fabrics. REI sells some stuff called Ultra Seal Welt/Seam Guard ($6; www.rei.com) that's better suited for this application. You could also try Welt-Seal ($5; www.atsko.com), too.
