Mink Oil as a Wet Leather Treatment

Mink oil will make boots softer but not water proof.

Mink oil is a long-standing treatment for wet leather but is perhaps not the best treatment. It does little harm, used sparingly, but has some drawbacks compared to other available treatments.

Wetness

No leather treatment is meant for use on wet leather. The leather must be allowed to dry naturally, then treated with a conditioner or water proofer; otherwise, you will seal in the water and risk rotting.

Oils

Any oil treatment, including mink oil and neatsfoot oil, softens leather and allows it to stretch. This is useful for tight or uncomfortable shoes but can ruin the support of a hiking boot or work boot.

Spoilage

Most commercial "mink oil" is actually beef tallow; as a food oil, it can go rancid, introducing odor and bacteria into leather.

Alternatives

"Backpacker" magazine in 1997 tested numerous products as water proofers and rated mink oil very low. It allowed water to penetrate after a few hundred paces. Wax-based products, silicon and polymer products all scored better.

Synthetics

Outward Bound observes that leather boot treatments are not as effective as modern boot materials, like the Teflon-based Gore-Tex.

Restoration

While mink oil is a poor water proofer, it (and neatsfoot oil) are excellent at restoring the suppleness to dried, aged leather.

References

• "The Outward Bound Staying Warm In The Outdoors Book;" Glenn Randall; 2000
• "Backpacker;" Boots; Dan A. Nelson; March, 2000
• "L.L. Bean Hiking and Backpacking Handbook;" Keith McCafferty; 2000