Waterproofing Boots

[Mithras]

Has anyone managed to find a way to waterproof leather effectively? I reckon not, but I thought I'd ask ... I've tried oil, melted lard, melter beeswax, prayer ...

Nothing works.

[Tarbicus]

Check out this FAQ:
[url:1q9pgcnf]http://iilg.org/lkb/articles/faq109.html[/url]

If it is really hard wearing, saturate it with motor oil. If it is more delicate, melt some beeswax in warm terpentine (do not boil) - this mixture turns milky white - the terps will help the beeswax to penetrate the leather - this advice is from a friend of mine with a guide dog.

1. Heat in a low temperature pot equal parts neatsfoot oil, paraffin oil and beeswax. Heat and stir until emulsified and let cool. Application: Allways apply when warm to leather project via brush or dab on, apply sparingly and let stand for 10 minutes before handling. It will darken leather a little.
2. Heat gently equal parts vaseline and paraffin oil and mix thoroughly. Application: as above, must be warm.
Will darken slightly and a minor greasy feeling is apparent for a few days.
Impotant: If working in cold temperatures, warm up the leather project as well as the above compounds when applying.

[Mithras]

Interesting ... so it can be done, just not with authentic materials.

Thanks Tarbicus.

[Virilis]

Hello Mithras!

I think that in waterproofing leatherboots the problem is not the leather itself, it is quite easy to make waterproof. The problem is the seams and stitching etc. Perhaps putting some beeswax or shoe-cream (plenty) in those problem areas will help? I have used this method with my old (antediluvian :wink: )leather trekking boots and at least it gives protection for short duration visits to Neptuns realms...

Anyway I think it is quite hard to make roman boots totally waterproof.

[Mithras]

Virilis, you might have something there.

I will have to think about that.

[Tarbicus]

Interesting ... so it can be done, just not with authentic materials.

None I'd know of, sorry. Virilis has an excellent point though.

[Primvs Pavlvs]

I have had luck in making my period shoes more water resistant with sheep tallow, and beeswax mixed. In 10 years of re-enacting I have yet to see a method to make period shoes totally waterproof. Take the tallow and melt it in a warm pan, and then add about 1/3rd of beeswax to it and let it melt together.


I know American Indians in the 18th century used pitch to seal the seams of winter boots, but I am not sure about other cultures and time periods.

[Viventius]

A Vike re-enactor told me that goose fat was the best thing for waterproofing shoes. Fine: first catch your goose ...

The boots we got last season are quite good. They have very thick soles, which slows down the rising damp at least!

[arklore70]

The seams is where you are gonna run into trouble. Mink oil melted and then poured in the seems works real well, although I am not sure if mink oil was used by the Romans or how authentic that approach would be.

Bees wax would also work well, though it melts at about 140 degrees F.

Lanolin might also be an option, course when you wear caligae, waterproofing the leather is really more for the leather and not your poor foot.

Which brings me to a question, would it be appropriate for a Roman Legionary to have some sort of water proofed undones for winter months?

Cheers!!

Mike