I'd be pretty cautions about using meths, since it is likely to strip any natural oils out of both the leather and your feet.
It's nice to know that someone here feels the same way.
Oh and Freshmint, you'll be surprised how quickly jungle-boots dry out. It seems like within minutes your feet are (almost) dry.
Did you order Vietnam style or the improved model? I have both.
My Vietnam era ones are black leather footbox, with green cotton duck uppers, with a nylon ankle reinforcement.
The new ones I picked up about 6 months ago (they're the ones that I wore and got bleeding feet) have cordura nylon uppers, and speedlaces. They're lighter, more comfortable, and a lot easier to lace up.
Both are cool though, because both have spike protection in them. You see, in the 'nam, the VC and NVA used to bury bamboo spikes in the ground, and cover them with feces. When a tired, wet soldier would step on one, the spike would go through his foot, and the feces would infect it. This caused a lot of amputations and medevaced grunts.
So,
in the 2nd model jungle boot, a 1/4inch steel plate was put sandwiched between the soles of the boots, stopping the spikes (punji sticks) from causing damage. Unfortunately, this makes the boots not very flexible, and that is why it is recommended on very thick woolen socks in the boots, to cushion your feet, as the non-rotting insoles (while they help) don't do a great deal alone.
Cheers,
A.
PS: Want to know another random fact? When soldiers boots became too worn out, they used to refurbish them with the C-Ration chocolate bars by filling in the cracks with the chocolate!
