For decades, I used nothing but&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Sno-Seal-All-Season-Leather-Protectant/dp/B0063KCM02/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Sno-Seal All Season Leather Protectant</a>&nbsp;on my winter boots. It's a wax based product that does a good job on traditional leather boots and doesn't contain any oils that will soften the leather and shorten its life. Some years ago, I started using the newer&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Nikwax-Waterproofing-Wax-for-Leather/dp/B000LYU5QO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather</a>, which promises even better waterproofing and won't damage the new high-tech Gore-tex linings found in many boots.

When my girlfriend purchased a pair of $250 Frye boots, she asked my advice on a good product for protecting them, and not knowing what kind of leather and construction Frye used, my first thought was to see what Frye recommends. Turns out they had their own line of products, and I figured it was better to use what Frye recommended rather than risking trying a dressing that might damage them.

This is an oil-based spray, and while I'm not entirely sure, I suspect it contains a high proportion of silicones. It does darken the leather visibly, so I'd suggest not using it on light colored leather. But it also does a pretty good job of repelling water. I'm not yet sure how good it is at keeping out water if the boot is subjected to total immersion, but I suppose we'll know by the end of December ;-)