What's a quick easy way to soften and repair hard dry cracked workboot leather?

Question

These are good old boots, but are starting to crack through in places. They are not suede, just plain black leather.

Answer 1

Give them 3 or 4 coats of petroleum jelly (let the seperate coats absorb into the leather before re-applying). I do this with all my new boots to soften the leather and help make them water-proof.

Answer 2

Easiest way to slow the cracking is to go buy some baseball glove conditioner - the same stuff used to break in a baseball/softball glove. Be sure to take the laces out and condition all of the leather, the tongue too - every square inch. Where you miss is where it will crack in the future.
The best stuff I used is from Kiwi (shoeshine product company) that contained Mink oil.
Lanolin is the next best product - although it may be hard to find in a cream.
Once you get the leather soft, go buy some baby butt wipes that contain lanolin. Simply wipe your boots periodically to keep them clean and soft. Only buy wipes that contain lanolin - anything else will dry out your boots and make it worse.
If you live near horse ranches, maybe look up Saddle Soap- I've used that to clean my gloves. Then put the conditioner on after they are clean.

Answer 3

Years ago a friend of mine had a beautiful leather jacket made for him by an Indian man. He wore the jacket out in the rain and it hardened up like a suit of armor. He took the jacket back to the Indian and the Indian threw the jacket at his squaw, said some rather sharp words to her and she began chewing. The owner of the jacket went back a couple of weeks later and the jacket was just as soft as when he had first received it. I'm not suggesting you start chewing, but I would think a reputable cleaning and drying establishment that does leather should be able to help you.

Answer 4

try mink oil

Answer 5

neatsfoot oil

Answer 6

i use mink oil.