Waxing desert boots?

[Neil1]

I tried to keep it just on the suede, some went on the fabric but I'm not that worried about how they look (more that they work for me).
Santaman - I have boots for use in the mountains, duck boots for when its cold & wet, seal skin boots for dry-arid bush, I have used jungle boots, climbing shoes, fell running shoes, distance shoes....I think I have grasped the concept of footwear that fit a particular purposes. But just sometimes you want something comfortable and "easy", a general purpose item of footwear (at home in the woods, the pub, the car or the super market) that are as comfortable as slippers and that don't cost the earth (my miendls didn't cost me anything). But thanks for your input.

 

[santaman2000]

why not - it doesn't matter what they look like - its the waterproof quality we are interested in!

Then why not just get waterproof boots to begin with? By the way, looks do matter though (anybody who thinks otherwise has never stood for inspection)

 

[Neil1]

Oh god, I just realised - not only do I wear desert boots in a non arid environment,....I wear arctic socks with them!!!! OMG!

 

[santaman2000]

Oh god, I just realised - not only do I wear desert boots in a non arid environment,....I wear arctic socks with them!!!! OMG!

And I drive a 4WD vehicle on the interstate (motorway) But I don't complain because it gets lousy milage there.

 

[John Fenna]

I wear desert boots in Wales - in summer I like the breathability and light weight ... even if they get a bit damp at times...

 

[santaman2000]

I wear desert boots in Wales - in summer I like the breathability and light weight ... even if they get a bit damp at times...

Same here John. And this ain't exactly a desert environment either.

 

[Neil1]

Mine still breath John, but if the grass has a bit of dew on it or you get a shower of rain, the water just rolls off rather than wetting out the suede. I have Seal-Skinz in my Bergen usually if the weather is really rough.

 

[Bluffer]

Suede is leather and will deteriorate if not conditioned, so it's a good idea to wax them.

Contrary to popular belief, the fabric and suede (MOD issued) desert boots are not particularly breathable due to the synthetics used.

So you may as well wax them and in that way you can at least keep them in good condition, you certainly won't adversely affect their breathability.

 

[santaman2000]

Suede is leather and will deteriorate if not conditioned, so it's a good idea to wax them.

Contrary to popular belief, the fabric and suede (MOD issued) desert boots are not particularly breathable due to the synthetics used.

So you may as well wax them and in that way you can at least keep them in good condition, you certainly won't adversely affect their breathability.

TBH breathability was never the reason the military switched to squede.

 

[Bluffer]

Go on then, enlighten us!

 

[santaman2000]

Go on then, enlighten us!

Ease in maintenence. Dust doesn't show on them. Just brush any stains off them and forget them. They even match the camo color pattern of desert BDUs.

It didn't work out as well as hoped though, they're still debating going back because the oil and hdraulic fluid stains on maintenence troops boots are often too deep too brush out (even with a welding brush)

The squede is all about standing inspection. Nothing more.

 

[Bluffer]

Those involved with oil and hydraulic fluids in UK forces would be wearing safety footwear and nobody would question why they were stained.

I think this may be one fundamental difference in culture between UK and partner forces.

In terms of this thread, the boot in question is a Meindl brand and they have this to say - Use Meindl Top Conditioner & Proofer to maintain water resistance and condition suede panels
http://www.meindl.co.uk/products/Care_Products

 

[santaman2000]

Those involved with oil and hydraulic fluids in UK forces would be wearing safety footwear and nobody would question why they were stained.

I think this may be one fundamental difference in culture between UK and partner forces.....

Yep. The desert boots also come with safety toes.

Edit to add: Another reason for the sqede was supposedly a lower IR signature. In practice, thast hasn't really mattered.

As for the cultural differences among partner forces (in regards to equipment) I've noticed that one partner or another will come up with any given idea (such as the switch to suede) and most, if not all, the partners will adopt it. Can you honestly say with any certainty who first switched? I cain't. But I do know that only a couple of decades ago, we all wore black, full grain leather, whereas now all forces wear squede. And it happened more or less overnight.

 

[Bluffer]

Can you honestly say with any certainty who first switched? I cain't. But I do know that only a couple of decades ago, we all wore black, full grain leather, whereas now all forces wear squede. And it happened more or less overnight.

Not true my friend, the British Army have worn dessies since WW2.

We now wear a plethora of boots, some leather, some fabric/suede/rubber.

All of which is taking the original question off on a tangent.

Suede boots can be waxed, I'll go as far as saying it would be remiss not to wax them.

Oh dear, what will the sergeant-major say?!