--- title: "Three Ways to Give Old Leather a New Life" description: "Leather and the sporting life have been attached at the hip for generations. The cuts of tanned hide make great belts, straps, packs, and countless other pieces of gear essential to outdoor pursuits. However, if you don't properly care for leather, you might not be as durable as it should be. If you need to refreshen some material, here are a few tips on how to care for and refinish leather, and a few products that should help you keep pieces of hide looking brand new." date: "2019-09-26" modified: "2021-04-20" authors: - name: "The Editors" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/the-editors/" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/3-ways-to-give-old-leather-new-life/" categories: - "Gear" - "Hunting Gear" --- # Three Ways to Give Old Leather a New Life ![]() Leather products define the outdoor lifestyle. From hunting boots to cartridge belts, slings, game bags, luggage, and truck interiors—tanned animal hides surround us. It is also highly bio-degradable, and as such needs regular attention to maximize its lifespan. Here are a few things to consider when it comes time to polish up the leatherwork. Good leather maintenance doesn't simply mean a periodic wipe-down with any old conditioner. For really dirty jobs, the first step is to prepare the surface with a [quality leather cleaner](). After the cleaner finishes its work, you're ready to rejuvenate it with a leather conditioner. Some leather conditioners are oil-based, while others rely on natural solids like [beeswax](), and still others incorporate silicone as the waterproofing agent. Leather processing can be complicated, spanning a variety of methods ranging from vegetable to chemical and even brain tanning. As a result, there are many types of leather, each of which may have its own preferred conditioner base. Consult the manufacturer of your product to determine which type of conditioner is best for your item. Just like your skin begins to crack from weathering, leather shows age and stress in the form of splits that can eventually become tears. A good [leather-repair balm]() will work wonders to rejuvenate even the craggiest pair of gloves, belts, boots, or any other neglected leather item.