Posts made by HoSouls10

Is something like this a big issue since they're full priced new?  Or is it really minor and will brush/wear/condition right out?

Thanks guys.

Also a solid look:

I like the minimalist approach, as it sounds like something a novice like myself could handle easily, but I got a little worried when another person showed me a pic of his 8113's that he'd done the exact same thing with (RW Leather Protector and nothing else) and they appeared to take on a solid brown type of color, like your basic brown suede, straight up (may have been lighting, who knows).  They didn't look bad necessarily but I've seen many pics just by google searching something like 'worn muleskinner iron rangers' that appeared to more so take on the look I'd be into.  I just have no idea what those fellas did to theirs, because they're usually just random pintrest pics with no explanation.  They still maintain some of the lighter beige in there amongst all of the abuse, aka not a solid dark/brown tone.  They do also, for the most part, maintain the roughout texture.  Sometimes the toe area seem flatter or worn down a bit more.  It's a tricky mistress.  At some point, I might just have to dive right in an see what happens.

I ordered the Red Wing Suede cleaner kit and the Red Wing Leather Protector, so I'll at least have some tools soon.  I'm just hoping I can get it right, and I have myself a nice favorite pair of non-sneaker footwear for some time..

Appreciate all of the help and opinions! Keep em coming.  I understand there's not an end all be all correct way to handle it, just need to find what best works for what I'm aiming for.

Something like this, for example doesn't read solid brown suede to me..  Granted, super worn, but you get the idea; a marbley effect.  Could depend on what kind of wear and tear I provide them how solid the color appears.  I'm just trying to hash it all out.  Apologize for the rambling.  Thanks again for the input.

@tmg:

Best thing is just wear them and beat them to hell, and condition them if they start to look like they need it

What would you think is a good conditioner to go with for the Muleskinners? I also wonder if they need conditioning right away.  Production tag in the tongue says 2012, so they've been in the world a while, granted they're brand new to an owner.  Red Wing said it shouldn't matter when they were produced as far as their quality now, having just sat in a shoebox for a few years and not been exposed to the elements of the world…

Hey All.

Rookie Iron Ranger owner here and looking for some advice.  I nabbed a pair of the 8113 Hawthorne Muleskinners and wondering how to approach care/conditioning and all that.  Things I've read thus far:

-Do nothing at all, just wear them.
-Put on some Red Wing Leather Protector and call it a day.
-As per Red Wing's suggestion, Red Wing Mink Oil for conditioning and Leather Protector.
-Obenauf's LP
-other various Mink Oils
-AquaSeal

I'm new to the whole process of treating footwear, so as much detail as possible is appreciated, maybe even some pics to give me an idea of what the boots will look like over time using certain tactics.  When I search for 'worn' 8113's on google, the boots usually look worn for sure and most seem to hold onto the beige hue that they started with, which I'm hoping to achieve.  I've seen some that darken up universally into a browner more solid suede type look, which is less desirable.    My usage of them will likely be for nothing hardcore at all, just general wear, upstate NY conditions.  I'd probably leash them up for most of the super snowy months.  At this point, I've done nothing to treat and only wore them around my house or sitting down.  Current status:

There ya go, hopefully you guys have some solid info and I get these suckers on the road