Help for boots

[Charlie74]

Hey guys, I need advice. I found a great pair of German military boots at an Army surplus store. They are tall, fit like a glove and are so comfortable I could sleep in them. However, when I walk, they squeak like a rusty hinge. Any advise on how to stop the squeak?

 

[RM Bantista]

Hey guys, I need advice. I found a great pair of German military boots at an Army surplus store. They are tall, fit like a glove and are so comfortable I could sleep in them. However, when I walk, they squeak like a rusty hinge. Any advise on how to stop the squeak?

"Rusty Hinge" If, this is so, the shank may be broken. But I would think that there are many a boot repair repair expert in your location. There are quite a few in Albuquerque of various levels of skill.

A little more information might also be helpful. I assume they are leather vintage style boots related to some period and purpose, and not modern NATO style boots?. There are persons who are very knowledgeable about specific military equipment of particular periods. Care and condition vary and matter. These sound as though they were in good condition overall when you acquired them. Have you conditioned them and polished them?

I have picked up new boots that needed a lot of conditioning and preparation prior to wearing them out and about. Lots of folks don't prepare their leather items at all before they use them for their intended use. Leather boots and belts and so forth are not usually conditioned and polished prior to initial sale. And some people never polish or treat belts in any way prior to wearing them. Good quality leathers have an expected life that may make them suitable for use for generations with proper care. Without care the life expectancy is less. The better the leather the longer it will stand neglect and even use, but the penalty can be a much shorter life span. And a good scratch can sometimes ruin an item that could have been given to your grand kids in a single evening if the item is not protected.

Squeaks can come from a variety of causes. Sometimes they are easily addressed, other times not. Sometimes the cost of a repair is greater than replacing the item. Sometimes the inexpensive methods one may legitimately attempt ones self will not produce a fix. Ordinarily, one should not experience a squeak on a new item in the store, but if the item is not prepared for use prior to actually wearing them on the street, then the shelf age and lack of protective treatments can quickly manifest themselves.

Store policies vary as well. If they can't be replaced, then an expert knowledge of some of the possible reasons which might be addressed by an end user and which might best be turned over to a professional and what level of expert to seek out for specific possible causes.

I can bring some 40 year old boots back to new, but it takes time. And it is better not to hurry the process if the boots have been long neglected. I can't rebuild a sole or heel, and I certainly wouldn't dream of replacing a broken shank. The are other people who get paid to do those sorts of things, but they are sometimes not that expensive.

So, a little more information might help with a recommendation from someone who knows some specific subjects in great detail.

Regards and good talking with you,

Rudy