Nubuck or suede look like plain, ole lea ther?

“Anybody have this problem, that your nubuck leather or suede now looks pretty much like plain, old leather? My hiking boots have made this transition. The finish might be 1 percent softer than leather, but that's about it.

So... what do you use to care for the boots now? Plain, old leather saddle soap, etc? And NOT the suede stuff?

Also, to add to the complexity, the boots are Goretex, which I take it is the lining. So do you *waterproof* this nubuck-turned-leather finish, or does that screw up the Goretex process?[b][u]”

“Hey liz, if gojo is still thinking about comeing down here, I'm pretty sure I can hook him up with somebody that could use a guy that can swing a hammer and do demo and roofing.”

“I haven't had my nubuck boots smooth out like that so I don't know what you'd do about it. I do know that it's a good idea to keep the leather/suede/nubuck waterproof on gortex boots though. The gortex is the liner "bootie" and if the leather wets through it'll block the pores in the gortex and keep it from breathing. Not to mention making the boots heavier.

I was once told by an AT thru-hiker, who worked in the footwear dept of an outfitter, that it's also a good idea to occasionally wash the goretex liner to keep the dirt from blocking the pores. She told me to put some soapy water inside and just swish it around, rinse it out and let it dry. I haven't done it yet but I probably should ¦ ) .

Hope that helps.”

“Mine did this and I was glad. That nubuck stuff looks like it would just suck up the water. I just put Mink Oil on mine once a year.”

“Nubuck and Suade have their own type of waterproofing. DO NOT use regular waterproofing on them that would normally be used on full-grain leather.

And for Heaven's sakes, DON'T wash your boots with saddle soap (at least that is what I was told by a cobbler who knows his stuff about leather boots and their care).”