I pulled these two pairs out the other day and almost didn’t recognize them. One pair of lace-up work boots and one pair of tall western-style boots that had clearly seen better days. Both had that classic dry, ashy look - faded color, stiff leather, surface scuffs, and that dull, thirsty feel you get when leather hasn’t been conditioned in way too long. So I decided to do a clean side-by-side test.
I conditioned one boot from each pair with Skidmore’s Original Leather Cream (the 6 oz tin) and left the matching boot completely untreated. That way you can see exactly what the cream actually does. Here’s the photo right after I finished:
In case it's not obvious, the far-left boot is the “before.” It’s light, grayish-brown, dry, and looks almost dusty even though I wiped it down. The boot next to it is the same style after one solid application of Skidmore’s. Night-and-day difference in color depth and richness.
Right pair (tall western boots): The far-right boot is the untreated one - faded, dry, and tired-looking. The one just left of it got the Skidmore’s treatment. You can see how the leather drank it up and came back with a deeper, more even brown and a much healthier look.
How I Did It (Simple Process):
- Wiped both boots down with a slightly damp cloth to remove surface dust and dirt.
- Scooped a small amount of Skidmore’s Leather Cream (about a dime-to-nickel sized amount per boot section) and worked it in with a clean cloth and my fingers, paying extra attention to the creases, toe, heel, and any scuffed areas.
- Let it sit and absorb for about 20–30 minutes (I actually left them a bit longer).
- Buffed off any excess with a soft, dry cloth.
What I Noticed Right Away
- The cream cleaned as it conditioned - surface grime lifted while I was working it in.
- Color came back without looking artificially darkened or shiny. It just looked like healthy leather again.
- The treated boots felt noticeably softer and more flexible.
- A light natural sheen appeared after buffing, but nothing sticky or waxy.
Why This Matters
Dry leather doesn’t just look bad - it cracks, loses strength, and starts falling apart. Conditioning with something natural like Skidmore’s puts the oils and protection back where they belong. Do this a couple times a year (or more often if your boots take a beating) and they’ll last a whole lot longer. If you’ve got a pair (or two) that look like the “before” boots in that photo, don’t write them off. One tin of Skidmore’s Leather Cream goes a surprisingly long way. You can grab the same 6 oz tin I used right here:
Related Reading
- How to Care for Leather: Clean, Condition & Restore
- How I Restored My Cracked Leather Boots with Skidmore’s (earlier side-by-side)
- Skidmore’s Leather Cream vs Mink Oil
- Customer Story: Reviving 30+ Year Old Basement Saddles
- Ryan
