What is the best way to keep leather sheaths waterproof and in good shape?

Let’s look at three ways to waterproof your outdoor “leathers!”

First off, you can choose to paint on (or spray on) an acrylic leather finish, creating a sealant layer. This layer works great, but will eventually break down, as paints do over time.

But an advantage to acrylic is that it does protect without darkening the leather. In some cases maintaining the leather color is a high priority. If this is true for you, go with the acrylic.

A second waterproofing method is a wax finish.

Wax treatment requires some maintenance, but it is a simple and effective method to use. Simply applying beeswax to keep moisture out mostly works best for smooth leather. The rough side of the leather doesn’t like wax so much.

Thirdly, oil finishes not only moisturize, as suggested in an earlier post, but oil-treated leather repels water quite well. Only be careful to just give your sheath a coat of oil and then remove the excess, never soak sheaths in oil. The oil-soaked leather loses any shape it has. Also note…oil-treated leather does darken – but it’s a cool effect.

Of course, many natural materials can be used to “oil” finish leather. Mink oil, lard, tallow and other such substances work well on leather. But so do neetsfoot oil, coconut oil, walnut oil…or bear grease.

Finally, one might use a combination of materials to both moisturize and seal premium leather goods.

Our Windy Ridge product combines hard and soft oils with selected waxes to provide effective sealing and moisturizing of leather. Windy Ridge is formulated here using natural materials. The product is easy to use and cost-effective.

Windy Ridge treatment does more than protect leather too. It protects metals from rust just a well as it works on leather. It works for leather belts, sheaths, wallets and such, and still protects knife blades and guns as well. Try a tin for yourself.

~Guest post by Al

Thank you for reading!

Do you have a favorite product or method when it comes to waterproofing leather? Please feel free to tell about it in a comment!