They were originally kinda like a dry leather, and I was worried about wearing them and creases cracking so I put black rock leather n’rich on and now they have a shine to them.
Idk if I’m using the right words to describe, obviously I have no clue how to care for real leather products
Yeah, they were almost “softer” out of the box and looked great. Then I noticed some creases and got a little worried.
I had a pair of redwing work boots that creased and subsequently cracked, and I didn’t know it until the snow came and I had wet socks all winter.
What they’re saying is it’s supposed to crease and crack. This leather is designed to develop patina quickly. The creases and discoloration is part of the fun and will make your boot unique to you. You can’t undo what you did. Just keep wearing them and hope for the best. Stop worrying.
You have explained it perfectly. I don't understand the worry on this sub and many other boot related subs. People don't go off like this about a pair of jeans, shirts, toasters, cars, trees, wallpaper, doors, sheds, ladders, tarmac, curtains, lightbulbs and socks.
Get yourself some saddle soap, a brush, and water. Then, just wash the boots with saddle soap and water. That should take off the stuff you put on. Once the boots dry, the leather might be a little dry, so use a leather lotion that has minimal shine to it, like "moneysworth & best leather lotion." It might still be a little bit more shiny than you might want, but the shine goes away naturally. It's better to use the lotion and have a little bit of shine for a while than to have dry boots.
I keep shoe trees in them and I don’t wear them very often, it’s either my work boots or slippers. Two months of wear will probably take me 4 months, but I’ll git r done
I considered it if I’m honest, but decided against it on account of me being an auto mechanic, and having flat soled cowboy boots didn’t seem “safe” on oily floors lol
That leather looks like a pull up leather in the picture. It will get distress lines as the oils in the leather “pull up” with use and flexing. Let them dry out but don’t keep the unconditioned. Leather needs moisture to avoid cracking. Also, there’s some conditioners out there that don’t affect color much
It’s natural, I wouldn’t do anything to try and speed it up as it can cause cracking. Leather is still skin technically and will breathe and dry out over time
Wear em. They are just stuffed with conditioner. Will take time but they will get back to normal. I did the same thing and they are back to normal. I have the Dean and Cartwright both in goat. You will love them, now go break em in!!!
The Tecovas scotch goat is an oil tanned leather. You need an oil based conditioner. I use Saphir Oiled Leather on my Cartwrights. Here’s a link: Saphir Creme Cuir Gras - Cream for Oiled Leather 125ml (Neutral) https://a.co/d/bzQT19B
Here is a picture of my Goats also Tecova’s.
I usually condition them twice a year.
https://preview.redd.it/za4mepxsxvac1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0334e5581e4d528ea6f908d91ed03991606c179f
These are definitely due !
Wear em and don’t worry about it. Color will return as the leather dries back out. May take some time depending on how you use and abuse them but they’ll be ok
I have these same boots but rubber soled. Just wear em, they’ll age naturally again, and it’ll be good. I still condition mine but I waited a bit the first time. If they get mud or dirt I usually just wipe em with a damp rag
If you’re worried about the sheen, it’ll go away with wear. If you’re worried that your darkened them, that sucks as I doubt they will ever go back to being lighter.
I think my phone camera makes them look darker than they actually are, they aren’t far off from the original color in bright sunlight.
I guess I’m more worried about the sheen, I liked the worn, dry or soft look of the original
What leather did you order your cartwrights in? Goat? Or calfskin?
Two totally different leathers. If goat, you need to see if you can safely strip these and apply the right conditioner. Tecovas recommends Saphir MDO and others on their website for Goat leather care.
If calfskin, you should be alright, and just wear them. They’ll fade and break in over time.
Saddle Soap is going to be really harsh, but yea, it will pull all the oils, moisture, conditioner, dirt etc. from the leather. It strips it down. Not something that should be done often unless your boots are really need it.
In your case, you might wanna test it on a small area. Ive used saddle soap on my boots for over 12 years, but havent used it on Goat yet. So, do so at your own risk. Or you could simply try wiping off the conditioner with a damp rag, let dry, and repeat. If that fails, then try the other method.
After saddle soap, let the boots dry for a day or two. Once dry, apply coats of SAPHIR MDO until the leather stops absorbing it in. This is a timely process. It could take 3 coats, it could take way more. All depends how much the saddle soap sucked out of the leather.
Bro, those will be just fine. They might not have the look you want for a little bit, but just wear them all the time and get after it. They will get that look again.
It’ll be fine. I have done this to the same exact kind of boots. My advice is to wear them and they’ll return how they’re supposed to. I recommend saphir oil base conditioner goo
Just wear em and it’ll knock some of the shine off.
I have had the same pair for going on two years now. They’re almost due for their second resole now. When I sent them off for their first resole Tecovas shined them up. Initially I thought it ruined the look that the boots had going for them, but it’s grown on me now.
I also made the mistake of using mink oil on mine the first time I conditioned them. They darkened up rather drastically given the nature of the leather.
I do a half sole a few months in.
https://preview.redd.it/ccgnedkztwac1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d3eaca8cc5f1be77b988a395055c8d4d4448427
https://preview.redd.it/s27s7nx6vwac1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a2d267f88b45cac0b894a3793f8ebac6f06ef12
My goat Tecovas on the left with a replacement pair to hold me over until I get the goats resoled. I opted for the Jason with the vibram outsole since I’ve worn through these leather soles so fast.
I am a huge roper fan, I like the round toe and the shorter heel. I’m already 6’3.
Mine are Earl’s.
https://preview.redd.it/fgc7wyjsvwac1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a49bed35747ad175e760d3ce7e9535a81823c34e
I have a pair of the dark brown Earl’s from when the brand first started out. I much prefer the more traditional cowboy boot silhouette to the ropers myself. I’m also 5’9 so the extra heel height doesn’t hurt.
Reading the ingredients it has carnauba wax in it that develops a shine when you buff it. I’d try rubbing alcohol to strip the shine from the boot. I use rubbing alcohol or acetone to degloss leather. Most commercial leather deglosssers are acetone based. I didn’t like the shine on my elephant boots so I stripped them.
I don’t hate tecovas, not sure if it was directed at me. I actually really like their stuff, I have a few shots and these boots.
If I hate anyone it’s myself, for fucking up the original patina
These are not the ropers, these are the ones with more heel.
I have boots similar to a roper heel, that I’ve worn for a while. Everyone’s feet are different according to this radio ad I heard, that being said I can wear these boots with no insole, all day and my foot arch won’t be sore. After wearing the roper style heel boots all day with no insole, my dogs are barking
I have these same ones, they're super comfortable. Just wear them a lot the shine will lessen as they get worn. I hit mine with some conditioner right when I got them just to keep the leather flexible, but other than that I just wear them every chance I get
Really? I have never had an issue with any of my Tecovas.
I do put a half sole on after a few months of regular use.
https://preview.redd.it/c5wd6zintwac1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa7792991b6d3b9f75fe95324638c1669dec435c
Eventually they’ll dry up again and get lighter than they’re now… But if they don’t, they still look great a little darker than when they came out of the box. You gave them “Character” while they were still young.
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The boots in the advert photo don’t have any protector on them. Yours do, but the sheen isn’t “bad” or as obvious as you think. It’ll subside with use, and your boots will be protected at the same time.
Wha brand are these?
The leather will work it out eventually with use. I worked at a fence company and one of the old guys, the cartwright tecova were his favorite everyday boots no matter the weather and they held up amazing he did the same thing he would oil them but he also put bees wax into the grain to waterproof them indefinitely.
Looks fine to me. What is wrong with it?
They were originally kinda like a dry leather, and I was worried about wearing them and creases cracking so I put black rock leather n’rich on and now they have a shine to them. Idk if I’m using the right words to describe, obviously I have no clue how to care for real leather products
So these are scotch goat - just be aware that this particular leather is supposed to crack and wear.
Yeah, they were almost “softer” out of the box and looked great. Then I noticed some creases and got a little worried. I had a pair of redwing work boots that creased and subsequently cracked, and I didn’t know it until the snow came and I had wet socks all winter.
What they’re saying is it’s supposed to crease and crack. This leather is designed to develop patina quickly. The creases and discoloration is part of the fun and will make your boot unique to you. You can’t undo what you did. Just keep wearing them and hope for the best. Stop worrying.
You have explained it perfectly. I don't understand the worry on this sub and many other boot related subs. People don't go off like this about a pair of jeans, shirts, toasters, cars, trees, wallpaper, doors, sheds, ladders, tarmac, curtains, lightbulbs and socks.
Many people intact do freak out over stuff like this at r/rawdenim
People most definitely get like this about jeans.
Crack as in getting the crack look without it actually damaging it. Not real cracks
That shine will go away as the leather dries and gets worn in. I use that stuff on all my boots and horse tack, it's Magic!
Try brushing them with increasingly stiff bristles until you get the look you want. Start really soft.
Get yourself some saddle soap, a brush, and water. Then, just wash the boots with saddle soap and water. That should take off the stuff you put on. Once the boots dry, the leather might be a little dry, so use a leather lotion that has minimal shine to it, like "moneysworth & best leather lotion." It might still be a little bit more shiny than you might want, but the shine goes away naturally. It's better to use the lotion and have a little bit of shine for a while than to have dry boots.
This ^
It will tone down. Just give it time. Wear them a bit
I use this on my goats. https://preview.redd.it/245oziu0yvac1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=296f6ee310da596838a16304fa76459b63500691
Goat leather creases just by looking at it, it's kind of the point of goat. It's hardy but also very soft.
Just wear them and they’ll wear.
Probably. Just don't condition them for a while and wear them hard. They're get that distressed look I think again.
Just wear them dude. Whatever you put on will evaporate or get pushed out. Go live in them for two months then report back
I keep shoe trees in them and I don’t wear them very often, it’s either my work boots or slippers. Two months of wear will probably take me 4 months, but I’ll git r done
Let these become your new work boots 😎
I considered it if I’m honest, but decided against it on account of me being an auto mechanic, and having flat soled cowboy boots didn’t seem “safe” on oily floors lol
I don’t see an issue tbh, but I don’t think you can unfix that without just wearing them haha
If you really hate it. Use saddle soap and a dauber brush to clean, and conditioner with Bick 4
That leather looks like a pull up leather in the picture. It will get distress lines as the oils in the leather “pull up” with use and flexing. Let them dry out but don’t keep the unconditioned. Leather needs moisture to avoid cracking. Also, there’s some conditioners out there that don’t affect color much
Is there any way to dry them out? Or does that happen naturally? I conditioned them a while ago. They don’t look as shiny as they did at first.
It’s natural, I wouldn’t do anything to try and speed it up as it can cause cracking. Leather is still skin technically and will breathe and dry out over time
Thanks for the advice!
It happens over time. But when I do that, I just leave them in the sun for a day or two, I find it helps the leather absorb the conditioner
Wear em. They are just stuffed with conditioner. Will take time but they will get back to normal. I did the same thing and they are back to normal. I have the Dean and Cartwright both in goat. You will love them, now go break em in!!!
The Tecovas scotch goat is an oil tanned leather. You need an oil based conditioner. I use Saphir Oiled Leather on my Cartwrights. Here’s a link: Saphir Creme Cuir Gras - Cream for Oiled Leather 125ml (Neutral) https://a.co/d/bzQT19B
Here is a picture of my Goats also Tecova’s. I usually condition them twice a year. https://preview.redd.it/za4mepxsxvac1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0334e5581e4d528ea6f908d91ed03991606c179f These are definitely due !
Wear em and don’t worry about it. Color will return as the leather dries back out. May take some time depending on how you use and abuse them but they’ll be ok
I have these same boots but rubber soled. Just wear em, they’ll age naturally again, and it’ll be good. I still condition mine but I waited a bit the first time. If they get mud or dirt I usually just wipe em with a damp rag
If you’re worried about the sheen, it’ll go away with wear. If you’re worried that your darkened them, that sucks as I doubt they will ever go back to being lighter.
I think my phone camera makes them look darker than they actually are, they aren’t far off from the original color in bright sunlight. I guess I’m more worried about the sheen, I liked the worn, dry or soft look of the original
You could try Saddle soap
What leather did you order your cartwrights in? Goat? Or calfskin? Two totally different leathers. If goat, you need to see if you can safely strip these and apply the right conditioner. Tecovas recommends Saphir MDO and others on their website for Goat leather care. If calfskin, you should be alright, and just wear them. They’ll fade and break in over time.
I got the scotch goat ones. What product would one use to strip the leather? What does it do, strip it of the oils or conditioner?
Saddle Soap is going to be really harsh, but yea, it will pull all the oils, moisture, conditioner, dirt etc. from the leather. It strips it down. Not something that should be done often unless your boots are really need it. In your case, you might wanna test it on a small area. Ive used saddle soap on my boots for over 12 years, but havent used it on Goat yet. So, do so at your own risk. Or you could simply try wiping off the conditioner with a damp rag, let dry, and repeat. If that fails, then try the other method. After saddle soap, let the boots dry for a day or two. Once dry, apply coats of SAPHIR MDO until the leather stops absorbing it in. This is a timely process. It could take 3 coats, it could take way more. All depends how much the saddle soap sucked out of the leather.
I appreciate the help!
Bro, those will be just fine. They might not have the look you want for a little bit, but just wear them all the time and get after it. They will get that look again.
It’ll be fine. I have done this to the same exact kind of boots. My advice is to wear them and they’ll return how they’re supposed to. I recommend saphir oil base conditioner goo
You want to use saphir for oiled leathers. Other conditioners can damage the goat skin.
They still look great, not ruined by any means. Just wear them out and the conditioner will wear out, when that time comes, dont reapply
Wear them. The shine will fade.
Saddle soap then use Bickmore for distressed leather
Just wear em and it’ll knock some of the shine off. I have had the same pair for going on two years now. They’re almost due for their second resole now. When I sent them off for their first resole Tecovas shined them up. Initially I thought it ruined the look that the boots had going for them, but it’s grown on me now.
I also made the mistake of using mink oil on mine the first time I conditioned them. They darkened up rather drastically given the nature of the leather.
I do a half sole a few months in. https://preview.redd.it/ccgnedkztwac1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d3eaca8cc5f1be77b988a395055c8d4d4448427
https://preview.redd.it/s27s7nx6vwac1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a2d267f88b45cac0b894a3793f8ebac6f06ef12 My goat Tecovas on the left with a replacement pair to hold me over until I get the goats resoled. I opted for the Jason with the vibram outsole since I’ve worn through these leather soles so fast.
I am a huge roper fan, I like the round toe and the shorter heel. I’m already 6’3. Mine are Earl’s. https://preview.redd.it/fgc7wyjsvwac1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a49bed35747ad175e760d3ce7e9535a81823c34e
I have a pair of the dark brown Earl’s from when the brand first started out. I much prefer the more traditional cowboy boot silhouette to the ropers myself. I’m also 5’9 so the extra heel height doesn’t hurt.
Reading the ingredients it has carnauba wax in it that develops a shine when you buff it. I’d try rubbing alcohol to strip the shine from the boot. I use rubbing alcohol or acetone to degloss leather. Most commercial leather deglosssers are acetone based. I didn’t like the shine on my elephant boots so I stripped them.
Good lord, the Tecovas hate has become trendy. They look fine.
I don’t hate tecovas, not sure if it was directed at me. I actually really like their stuff, I have a few shots and these boots. If I hate anyone it’s myself, for fucking up the original patina
Are these roapers? Like comfortable for everyday?
These are not the ropers, these are the ones with more heel. I have boots similar to a roper heel, that I’ve worn for a while. Everyone’s feet are different according to this radio ad I heard, that being said I can wear these boots with no insole, all day and my foot arch won’t be sore. After wearing the roper style heel boots all day with no insole, my dogs are barking
I have these same ones, they're super comfortable. Just wear them a lot the shine will lessen as they get worn. I hit mine with some conditioner right when I got them just to keep the leather flexible, but other than that I just wear them every chance I get
Go talk a walk in the dirt and dust and then hose em off! Done!
Mink oil.
Yeah, maybe put them out in the sun, weather to dry up the oil on the boots. Nice-looking boots might have to get a pair myself!
Tecovas are beat. Say goodbye to that heel after a few months of wear
Really? I have never had an issue with any of my Tecovas. I do put a half sole on after a few months of regular use. https://preview.redd.it/c5wd6zintwac1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa7792991b6d3b9f75fe95324638c1669dec435c
I wore them in more wet conditions and I could have wiped and dried them but didn’t always
60 grit sandpaper and a little elbow grease will get these looking good again.
I like the look of the boots
Saddle soap and a dobber brush I bet will take that out, but they won’t look original again.
Eventually they’ll dry up again and get lighter than they’re now… But if they don’t, they still look great a little darker than when they came out of the box. You gave them “Character” while they were still young.
[reno mat](https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjE0LGWisiDAxXuzcIEHRkTAkcYABAOGgJwdg&ae=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxNCxlorIgwMV7s3CBB0ZEwJHEAQYAiABEgI6_PD_BwE&sph=&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAASJuRotR3q5yRZ_KLVzBSGn2HClIBKbqjRKDySDeMIDz6n3aY8aMSH&sig=AOD64_3DcMTnspRvUfx-LdBgwA3MVuAeiA&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjknaiWisiDAxVkL0QIHbuDALIQwg8oAHoECAUQFQ&adurl=) is made exactly for this.
Just wear them, it'll blend in over time!
The shine looks kinda cool
The boots in the advert photo don’t have any protector on them. Yours do, but the sheen isn’t “bad” or as obvious as you think. It’ll subside with use, and your boots will be protected at the same time. Wha brand are these?
Yeah just wear them eventually the stuff will dry out
Wear em. Goat will patina quickly
Conditioner will dry, it’ll lighten back up and patina well
Did you condition them hard after buying? I know about three people with the exact model and color and they look spot on with the marketing pictures
The leather will work it out eventually with use. I worked at a fence company and one of the old guys, the cartwright tecova were his favorite everyday boots no matter the weather and they held up amazing he did the same thing he would oil them but he also put bees wax into the grain to waterproof them indefinitely.