Before you get started or apply any treatment, you should know the following:

• Know what type of leather you have and how it was tanned.

  • Leather can be cut from different animals and parts of the hide. It can then be tanned using a variety of different methods. Know what you have before you start treating your leather.

• Know how your leather product is made.

  • Leather can be sewn and/or glued to make your product.This can change the best way to care for your leather.

• Check with the manufacturer for their suggestions.

  • Manufacturers are familiar with their particular leather products and often know how to care for it. It is a good idea to see what they recommend just in case there are any special considerations.

• Start with clean and dry leather before applying any product.

  • It doesn’t do your leather any favors to apply conditioners over the top of mud and dust, mold or mildew, chemicals or stains. Clean it up and let it dry fully before doing anything else.

• Don’t treat your leather in extreme cold or heat. Room temperature is best.

  • Both you and your leather will work best at room temperature. Leather will absorb conditioners better when warm. You don’t need to heat Huberd products before applying them and no, don’t put your boots in the oven.

• Most conditioners will darken leather. Test before applying if you are concerned about color change.

  • You are hydrating your leather which will darken it. Our Shoe Grease and Shoe Oil also contain pine tar which will darken the leather. Your leather will typically lighten up after a couple days and after prolonged use, but if you are partial to the specific color of your leather product please test first.

There is no single answer to this question. Leather may be cut from different animals and parts of the hide, tanned using a variety of different methods, and then sewn and/or glued to make your leather product. How often or how hard you use your leather may change our recommendation . Check out our Applications page for some recommendations for products and please read our recommendations on types of leather below before making a decision. If you still aren’t sure, we are happy to discuss with you via email or phone.

Vegetable based oils like coconut or olive oil are perishable and can go rancid. Mink Oil is a popular historical treatment for leather made from real Mink fats. Vegetable or animal fats in these products provide a food source for bacteria and molds to grow on the surface of your leather if left unused. Huberd products only use stable ingredients that are designed to stand the test of time.

No. Depending on the type of leather and how it’s used, your item may do better with another product. The manufacturer is the best source of information if you aren’t sure. Or test Huberds in an inconspicuous place.

Huberds was originally designed for goodyear or hand welted boots. That said, over the last 100 years our customers have used Huberds on lots of different leather products with overwhelmingly positive results.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Huberds will likely darken your leather. It does lighten up a bit after a few days, but if you are fond of the color, you should test it first.

• If your footwear or item is not stitched together, be careful applying any oil based product. Oils may prematurely weaken the bond between adhesives and leather over time. Be aware of how your footwear is constructed.

• If your footwear is a combination of leather and mesh, avoid applying Huberds to the mesh. Apply it only to the leather.

Check out our Applications page for additional recommendations.

Ultimately, you’ll need to decide if Huberd products are right for your leather. We are happy to talk with you about your specific needs via email or phone if desired. There is a ton of information out there about the types of leather and how they are created and we won’t try to regurgitate it all here. Instead, here are our thoughts about Huberds and the most common leather types.

• Veggie or Chrome Tanned leather are the most common tanning methods. Veggie tanning is the more historical method and involves using plant based agents to tan the leather. Chrome tanning accomplishes the same thing faster using chromium salts. Huberd products generally work well on either type of tanned leather.

• Chromexl Leather is a proprietary tanning process developed by Horween Leather. Because of the way it is made it doesn’t typically need as much conditioning. You can put Huberd’s on it, but it probably won’t soak in much.

• Suede and Nubuck - While both are fuzzy, Suede and Nubuck are NOT the same. Suede is a fragile, thin cut of hide and we do not recommend using Huberds on suede. Nubuck (or rough out leather) might feel like suede, but it is made from a tougher hide which makes it far more durable. You can use Huberds on Nubuck, but it will probably flatten the fuzzy nap.

• Vegan Leather - Vegan leather is a material made from plastic or plant material that mimics the look and feel of leather. We don’t recommend Huberd products for vegan leather.

• Exotic Leathers - Most leather comes from cows, but can also be made from more exotic animals such as alligators, ostrich, snakes, or even fish. These leathers need to be conditioned and protected too! Huberds can be applied to exotic leathers, but there are a few things to consider. 1) If the leather has been coated/treated to protect it, Huberds won’t absorb well. 2) Some exotic leathers, like snake, can be thin so don’t overapply Huberds. 3) Huberds can change the color, so test first. Apply, then let sit a couple days before evaluating the final color change.

• Waxed Cotton (Tin Cloth) - Huberds works great on waxed canvas products. It helps it remain flexible and waterproof. Don’t overapply and put something behind the canvas before applying to prevent soak through if necessary. Allow to absorb and dry completely before using or wearing.

Short answer, Yes. Unless it’s already dark in color. Huberds is designed to waterproof, restore, and preserve your leather. To do this best, it needs to apply ingredients that naturally darken leather. Both the Shoe Grease and the Shoe Oil also have pine tar which will darken the leather. It will look darkest right after you apply it, however the color will typically lighten after a few days. If the color of the leather is your favorite thing, then either test in an out of the way spot or try a product designed for light colored leather.

If your leather product is made using pieces from different cuts or cuts from different hides, they may absorb Huberds differently creating variation in color or texture. If the leather has been treated with conditioners or polishes previously, this may also affect absorption. Stripping may be required before applying Huberds to help it absorb consistently.

There is no one answer to this question. Severity of use and conditions will determine your frequency of application. Certain footwear is designed to be rigid, i.e. trekking boots, while other heavy duty work footwear can be less so. Over application can create an undesirably soft boot in either category. It is always best to apply multiple light coats instead of one heavy coat. Truly severe conditions may require a weekly application. The vast majority of consumers require only a monthly or quarterly application.

Here are a few conditions to consider applying Huberds:

• Before getting your leather wet and/or dirty. For example, it’s a good idea to apply a coat of Huberds before hunting or hiking season just to make sure your feet stay dry and your boots stay in good shape.

• When your leather is starting to look dry. For example, if your couch sits in the sun and is starting to look and feel dry and worn, a treatment with Huberds will help restore its buttery texture.

• When your leather is hard or brittle. For example, the old pair of spur straps you found in the barn that are rock hard can be restored to supple with an application of Huberds.

Huberds is not designed to give your leather a high shine or fix color issues. Make sure your leather is clean and dry before applying any product. You can then either apply polish first, let it thoroughly dry, and then apply Huberds or apply Huberds, let it thoroughly dry and then apply your polish. Just don’t mix them together and apply at the same time as that probably won’t turn out well. Either way, see what works best for your particular desired result. If there is any question, check with the manufacturer or a local shoe repair professional.

For all Huberd’s products, start with clean, dry, room temperature leather. Don’t apply to suede. Test first if you are concerned about color change. Do not overapply. It is always better to apply multiple light coats rather than one heavy coat.

Huberd’s Shoe Grease

You can apply Huberd’s Shoe Grease with your hands. The warmth from your hand will help soften the grease. Scoop a little out and rub it onto your leather. You can use gloves or a brush if you’d rather. Work the grease into your leather, focusing on places where it’s stitched or creased. A little goes a long way. Let it sit for a few hours. If it’s all soaked in, apply a light second coat and let it sit overnight. If excess grease remains on the surface, use a soft rag to buff it off.

Huberd’s Shoe Oil

Pour a little Huberd’s Shoe Oil onto your leather directly or onto a soft rag. Work into the leather evenly, focusing on places where it’s stitched or creased. A little goes a long way. Let it sit for a few hours. If it’s all soaked in, apply a light second coat and let it sit overnight. If excess oil remains, use a soft rag to buff it off.

Huberd’s Leather Dressing

Huberd’s Leather Dressing is designed to soften old or hardened leather. It will condition the leather, but not waterproof it. Follow the instructions for Huberd’s Shoe Oil. After each application, test if the leather has softened to the desired flexibility. If the leather is still hard or stiff, apply again and retest. Follow up with Huberd’s Shoe Grease or Shoe Oil to maintain your leather or apply waterproofing.

Huberd’s Saddle & Tack Conditioner

Huberd’s Saddle & Tack is designed for light weight conditioning. Always shake well before using. Apply to a soft rag, then rub evenly over your leather. Allow it to soak in, then buff excess or apply a second coat as needed. It will darken your leather initially, but not as much as the Grease or Oil. Product will generally lighten over time. Allow to fully soak in, then use normally.