Sno Seal vs. Mink Oil: Everything You Need To Know

No matter how hard you might try to take care of your leather boots, they are bound to get scratched and scuffed eventually. While polish tends to come in handy for giving your leather boots that desired shine and look, waterproofing them is also a great idea in order to protect them from various elements such as rain and snow. As most people know, leather doesn’t do great with water, and in order to prevent long-term water damage to your leather, you’ll want to invest in something to seal it up and protect it. 

If you are serious about your leather boots and have looked into caring for them properly, you’ve probably come across Sno Seal and Mink Oil. Both products are used for keeping your leather boots looking as good as new, but which one should you use for waterproofing? In order to help you better understand the differences between these two products, here is our guide on everything you need to know about Sno Seal and Mink Oil. 

Sno Seal

Sno Seal is best described as being a wax that coats the leather and protects it from water damage. Created from actual beeswax, Sno Seal also features some all-natural additives that provide extra protection, and overall, it seems to get the job done quite well. Sno Seal makes it virtually impossible for water or moisture of any kind to seep through the leather or the seams, keeping your leather boots in tip-top shape no matter the conditions.

It is very simple to use, and all it requires is that you heat up the wax a bit before applying, coat evenly, and then wipe off any excess wax before letting it dry. It is best to reapply once or twice a year depending on how often the boots are worn, but Sno Seal is for sure one of the best products for waterproofing your leather shoes. 

Mink Oil

Unlike the waxy texture of Sno Seal, mink oil is plain oil. This all-natural solution is about as natural as it can get, given that it is literally made of mink fat. For those who have no ethical problem with how the oil is obtained, it is a great product for conditioning and moisturizing the leather, keeping it supple through the natural lanolin found in the mink oil. It is very soft and smooth, and it enriches the leather pristinely rather than drying it out.

However, while some mink oil contains additives such as silicone that make it better at waterproofing, mink oil is not generally the best option for waterproofing your leather boots. Though the natural oils and waxes do repel some moisture, Sno Seal is the better option for heavy protection from mud and snow.

Mink oil is more of an option for when your boots are beginning to tear or look a bit worn down. Also, it is important to keep in mind that Sno Seal can result in your boots becoming dry and a bit brittle, meaning the two products work best in tandem. While the Sno Seal is able to protect the boot, the mink oil is able to come in after and restore its moisture and buoyancy.