Boots and Leather Care
In my opinion, there is no such thing as waterproof leather boots unless they have Gortex or Gortex copy waterproof breathable liner. Dicks Sporting Goods, Cabelas and Bass Pro usually have a good selection of reasonably priced boots with Gortex and Thinsulate. Both products are worth the extra money. I find the Timberlands (shown below) with Gortex but no insulation to be very comfortable boots in the summer. They are the closest boot I have ever worn to athletic shoe weight and comfort. In the winter I try to get boots with Gortex with about a 1000 gms of Thinsulate.
If you tend to have feet problems as I have developed in my older age, I do find RED WING boots to be worth the extra money.
The boots in the photo below are about 15 years old. I only wear them about 3 months of every winter and they have been retreaded a couple times but the leather is still in good shape. The boots have been soaked in water, detergents, road salt, mud and concrete. I apply Lexol Leather conditioner once or twice a month. The Lexol comes in a spray bottle but I pour a little in a bowl and brush on liberally with a 99 cent foam paint brush and allow to soak in over night. Brand new boots break in instantly. I also apply Lexol to leather wallets, belts, coats, car seats and gloves.
I usually get the Lexol at Auto Zone.