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This isn’t directly related to fossils, but it’s related to fossil hunting gear. I’m not sure if this is the best place to post my questions. I am pretty sure some of you will have tidbits of wisdom and advice to offer. My hiking boots had finally had it. The sole has been separating from them for over a month. I applied Shoe Goo to them a couple times over the past month, but Shoe Goo just couldn’t handle what I’ve been dishing out to my boots lately. They are Danner brand boots that were originally about $170. I got them on EBay for $30 I think. They looked like they had never been worn. I went fossil hunting after work on Thursday and my boots and I encountered some significant mud. You have to look close, but here is my boot sunk in the mud, obviously without my foot in it after I tried to pull my foot out and the boot stayed. You can see my previous step above it. I intentionally left my other foot in place for the photo. You can’t even tell, but the foot that’s still in the boot is compleatly covered and sunk in the mud about 10 inches deep. My leg and where the side of my foot and boot would be are in the pic, but all you can see is mud. I love the adventure of it!!! I think it’s so fun to go out and do stuff like that. Yep, I’m a little crazy in love with nature and the outdoors. I’m out there by myself laughing out loud at how comical a sight I must be and loving every minute of it. Even with all that mud and water my feet still felt completely dry!!! I love my boots! My boots and I in the mud is nothing new, but they needed some serious cleaning after that. While cleaning them I decided it was time to do what I have been avoiding for weeks now. I love these boots! I mean really love them. I have had them for maybe 6 years. They have held up amazingly well. They have impressed me again and again. They’re not the heavy weight type of hiking boots, but they have been the most comfortable hiking boots I’ve ever had. I have another pair that are Merrel hiking boots, but they’re heavy and clunky. The Danners are so light in weight. This is the one that was in better shape, but you can see the front of the sole has separated from the boot. The other one I had already cleaned and taken apart. I had brushed off most of the mud on this one, but still needed to wash it. They are still in great condition so I want to try to restore them to good working condition. I’m looking for advice on how to restore them. This is what they currently look like. The soles have been completely removed. The boots are pretty much water proof/resistant up to the black part around the ankle. I was going to put Neats foot oil on the leather uppers, but the boots and gloves I’ve used it on before we’re not this kind of leather. Is there some other coat to put on the that would be better? I saw something called Boot Butter, but I’ve never used it before. The sole of the upper is coated with something that makes them water resistant, but is still flexible. How it is stitched in preserves the seal to keep water out too. The inside sole’s material is a durable felt like material. The inserts are removable rubber and nylon/polyester type material that wicks moisture away from your foot, even sweat. I’m not sure how it does that, but it’s an awesome feature. I’m not sure if there is anything I could recoat the bottom of the sole with to preserve that water resistant quality before gluing the sole back on. It seems to still be in tact though. I bought contact cement to glue them back on with. I hope that works well. Anyone have experience with contact cement and boot soles? Do any of you have experience with this? Do you have any insight to share? Any advice, wisdome or personal experience of do’s and don’ts would be appreciated. Like I said I love these boots! I’m sentimental about them. My boots and I have been through a lot together and had some amazing adventures and experiences together. Not only that they’re so comfortable!! I’m not ready to end the relationship yet and part soles. LOL