Dried out leather in boots

[davidmorr]

I have been walking in a pair of Teva shoes for the last 18 months. These are goretex lined, have suede leather uppers and a vibram sole. I have found them to be pretty comfortable and robust for the walks I have done.

Recently, I have noticed they are not as comfortable as they used to be. In particular, they seem to be getting smaller. The first indication was when my little toenail on one foot would be sore after a trip. Now, the nail is all black and I suspect I shall soon lose it.

The second thing I have noticed in the last week is that my second toe is now pushing against the end of the shoe. Needless to say, this is not comfortable for anything more than a few minutes.

I suspect that what has happened is that the leather has been thoroughly wet several times, and as it has dried out, the leather has hardened and stiffened, maybe shrunk. No, I did not bother treating it to keep it supple

So my question is whether the shoes are beyond recovery, or whether if I dose them with dubbin or something they will soften and the shoe will go back to its former size.

Any ideas?

(Problem is that I am in Europe and planning to start an 18 day walk in about a week and need to decide whether to try to recover these shoes, or to look for something else to wear.)

Cheers

David

[hikingoz]

I find snoseal is fantastic for leather. Never used it on suede though, nor have I ever un shrunk shoes with it...

[davidmorr]

Yes I have used snoseal before and it is certainly good for preserving leather, but I suspect it is just a barrier in the surface, and does not get right in to the leather. I was thinking of something like dubbin, but have no idea where (or if) I can get it here.

[Rob A]

Horsey supplies. One in Hanbury st, another in Georgetown rd. Nikwax (wax) variant any of the camping stores.
Jo Luddys Dubbin has clearly printed on the tin 'Do not use on Suede or Nubuck'. I use it all the time on nubuck and nubuck/suede boots that would be absolutely trashed without it. I think it is the discolouraton thing, your boots will go grease black at least in the short term. The other half uses Nikwax pva/water based solution on her suede boots but to be honest it might waterproof but does nothing to keep them supple.

[taswegian]

Have the toes caved in, sunken? If they get wet and stay that way for a while they could well have dried in the 'misformed' shape.
Has the inner lining collapsed with the leather?

Leather is leather whether its suede or full grain, and I've had boots where the toes 'sunk' and gave my nails grief. I wet them and stuffed (as in rammed) them with wadding to fill the ends out then let them dry slowly. By slowly I mean not in front of a fire or using a heat gun.

I'd assume a coat of dressing would not go astray.