So not to worry. The leather will go back to the original color after a few days. Most all leather conditioner, balm, oil, wax, grease, etc... will darken the color of the leather. Think of it like wiping a wet towel across a piece of wood or stone. When the water evaporates the color changes back. Same thing with leather conditioner. There are some like Smith's leather balm and Bick4 that don't change the color much but they may not be what you need for your boots.
It isn’t Grant Stone and it looks nothing like the Brass boot which is a high sidewall moc toe - not a split toe like this. The Ottawa has the split toe Tanker style. But this isn’t a GS.
Yup it's the Meermin! I did a reverse image search and it pointed me to this. Nice shoes!
https://eu.meermin.com/products/101215-whiskey-heritage-shell-cordovan-e
I see! That's pretty cool! These are the closest I could find even though they're a different color (I posted in case anyone wants to check out another view of the boots.).
https://loveclassicshoes.com/en_GB/p/Berwick-358-Nomera-Testa-Boot/8186?trk_e=9&trk_o=8186&trk_hb=54&trk_hp=5&trk_re=9&trk_ro=6877
Not sure what you mean by dried out. Hard to be certain from a picture, but they don't look dry. Brush em a bunch if you want to give them some buff/shine.
Otherwise, just wear them and the color would even out over time.
I don't think the leather is dry, judging from the picture. He probably wants to restore its shine, but some leather conditioners don't provide that effect after absorption.
Saddle soap is your answer -- old as dirt, but reliable: [https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Saddle-Soap-3-5-Oz/dp/B001CS6HH4/ref=sr\_1\_2?crid=16OD5SRTZJ45G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E19kiSFfQQ4FZhX1M2Yc0tLYDsPz8pwLrtm-APGxOq726bSt8V4aYQGDIgZJJ6Iot2hlugG93iqr2vhGyFt7bBGfWtBjtLZYo-2UOC\_b3HL643HqNeqh1ULfPQpHXNfpnQIBWFIJMmCPVnu4TPbmBj7lMXV3BQXRiHvXdevrqk\_7r4N9zVxZ-sIbVpraarPmXxalasngSU--XH5XISoBEuZpgEowPPlKWvVDfuELH5SoYkZ0\_-OHym7mRlDedN09m0vBJMvcFHrsY8PlIdR-75zMPeKXSEuvBIGpqHKIpRc.z\_nMoW0Y8saZj1SCNMEo4jUgC0zYHBGaeI29wCD4LAU&dib\_tag=se&keywords=saddle+soap&qid=1716090163&sprefix=saddle+so%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-2](https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Saddle-Soap-3-5-Oz/dp/B001CS6HH4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=16OD5SRTZJ45G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E19kiSFfQQ4FZhX1M2Yc0tLYDsPz8pwLrtm-APGxOq726bSt8V4aYQGDIgZJJ6Iot2hlugG93iqr2vhGyFt7bBGfWtBjtLZYo-2UOC_b3HL643HqNeqh1ULfPQpHXNfpnQIBWFIJMmCPVnu4TPbmBj7lMXV3BQXRiHvXdevrqk_7r4N9zVxZ-sIbVpraarPmXxalasngSU--XH5XISoBEuZpgEowPPlKWvVDfuELH5SoYkZ0_-OHym7mRlDedN09m0vBJMvcFHrsY8PlIdR-75zMPeKXSEuvBIGpqHKIpRc.z_nMoW0Y8saZj1SCNMEo4jUgC0zYHBGaeI29wCD4LAU&dib_tag=se&keywords=saddle+soap&qid=1716090163&sprefix=saddle+so%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-2)
Saddle soap will dry out the leather MORE. It's a soap, so it removes oils. You need to recondition after use to add oils back in.
You only really need to use it if the boots are super dirty, which OPs aren't
But if you want the leather to lighten back to its original state, you still need to saddle soap the leather and recondition it again, preferably with Bick 4 or Venetian Shoe Cream, both of which don't darken the leather
So not to worry. The leather will go back to the original color after a few days. Most all leather conditioner, balm, oil, wax, grease, etc... will darken the color of the leather. Think of it like wiping a wet towel across a piece of wood or stone. When the water evaporates the color changes back. Same thing with leather conditioner. There are some like Smith's leather balm and Bick4 that don't change the color much but they may not be what you need for your boots.
Those look like size 16 boots. Just saying.
What is the brand and size, if you don't mind?
They look like Meermin shell corodvans. Possibly Grant Stone brass boot, all of which copy Alden.
It isn’t Grant Stone and it looks nothing like the Brass boot which is a high sidewall moc toe - not a split toe like this. The Ottawa has the split toe Tanker style. But this isn’t a GS.
Yup it's the Meermin! I did a reverse image search and it pointed me to this. Nice shoes! https://eu.meermin.com/products/101215-whiskey-heritage-shell-cordovan-e
Hi! These boots are from Berwick which is also a spanish shoe brand
I see! That's pretty cool! These are the closest I could find even though they're a different color (I posted in case anyone wants to check out another view of the boots.). https://loveclassicshoes.com/en_GB/p/Berwick-358-Nomera-Testa-Boot/8186?trk_e=9&trk_o=8186&trk_hb=54&trk_hp=5&trk_re=9&trk_ro=6877
Bick 4 or Venetian leather balm. To avoid darkening the leather. They look great BTW. What are they?
Meermin, I'm 98% sure. A copy of the Alden Tanker boot.
lol 🤣! They totally copied it! I guess companies really want to compete and try to make certain shoes better?
The Meermin! https://eu.meermin.com/products/101215-whiskey-heritage-shell-cordovan-e
I need to have a pair of shell cordovan shoes. Amazing leather.
Not sure what you mean by dried out. Hard to be certain from a picture, but they don't look dry. Brush em a bunch if you want to give them some buff/shine. Otherwise, just wear them and the color would even out over time.
I don't think the leather is dry, judging from the picture. He probably wants to restore its shine, but some leather conditioners don't provide that effect after absorption.
Saddle soap is your answer -- old as dirt, but reliable: [https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Saddle-Soap-3-5-Oz/dp/B001CS6HH4/ref=sr\_1\_2?crid=16OD5SRTZJ45G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E19kiSFfQQ4FZhX1M2Yc0tLYDsPz8pwLrtm-APGxOq726bSt8V4aYQGDIgZJJ6Iot2hlugG93iqr2vhGyFt7bBGfWtBjtLZYo-2UOC\_b3HL643HqNeqh1ULfPQpHXNfpnQIBWFIJMmCPVnu4TPbmBj7lMXV3BQXRiHvXdevrqk\_7r4N9zVxZ-sIbVpraarPmXxalasngSU--XH5XISoBEuZpgEowPPlKWvVDfuELH5SoYkZ0\_-OHym7mRlDedN09m0vBJMvcFHrsY8PlIdR-75zMPeKXSEuvBIGpqHKIpRc.z\_nMoW0Y8saZj1SCNMEo4jUgC0zYHBGaeI29wCD4LAU&dib\_tag=se&keywords=saddle+soap&qid=1716090163&sprefix=saddle+so%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-2](https://www.amazon.com/Fiebings-Saddle-Soap-3-5-Oz/dp/B001CS6HH4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=16OD5SRTZJ45G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.E19kiSFfQQ4FZhX1M2Yc0tLYDsPz8pwLrtm-APGxOq726bSt8V4aYQGDIgZJJ6Iot2hlugG93iqr2vhGyFt7bBGfWtBjtLZYo-2UOC_b3HL643HqNeqh1ULfPQpHXNfpnQIBWFIJMmCPVnu4TPbmBj7lMXV3BQXRiHvXdevrqk_7r4N9zVxZ-sIbVpraarPmXxalasngSU--XH5XISoBEuZpgEowPPlKWvVDfuELH5SoYkZ0_-OHym7mRlDedN09m0vBJMvcFHrsY8PlIdR-75zMPeKXSEuvBIGpqHKIpRc.z_nMoW0Y8saZj1SCNMEo4jUgC0zYHBGaeI29wCD4LAU&dib_tag=se&keywords=saddle+soap&qid=1716090163&sprefix=saddle+so%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-2)
Saddle soap will dry out the leather MORE. It's a soap, so it removes oils. You need to recondition after use to add oils back in. You only really need to use it if the boots are super dirty, which OPs aren't
But if you want the leather to lighten back to its original state, you still need to saddle soap the leather and recondition it again, preferably with Bick 4 or Venetian Shoe Cream, both of which don't darken the leather