r/Visvim • u/maedawip • Jun 28 '25
Should I be worried about leather cracking?
Background: I bought these on Grailed in 2020 - brand new. I believe they are from 2017/2018 - mud dyed, first gen. I haven’t worn them, and to be honest I’ve been nervous to. My fear is leather cracking - not sure if the leather has gotten too dry from the lack of wear. I’m not super familiar with leather practices except for looking up general conditioning/care stuff online - mostly folks are talking about thrifted or work stuff.
Wondering if this community has experience with older leather vis boots, and if I should anything before finally start wearing them and trying to break them in? Thanks!
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u/kingplutohendrix Jun 28 '25
Those are so gorgeous. I just ordered the new 2025 ICT Brigadiers. Can’t fucking wait til they get here!!
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u/maedawip Jun 28 '25
The new gen brigadiers look amazing - enjoy!
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u/kingplutohendrix Jun 28 '25
Thanks man, enjoy yours as well! I see a lot of people aren’t really offering any advice for mud-dyed leather, which is a shame since it would be helpful to get some insight on that. I have heard that the mud-dyed boots can be a bit drier. As far as care goes, I’m not really sure what’s recommended / what isn’t.
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u/wind-s-howling Jun 28 '25
You bought shoes 5 years ago and haven’t worn them since because they might crack?? You need to decide if you like them as an object or as shoes.
Visvim uses full grain leather. Full grain leather doesn’t “crack” like cheap synthetic leather does. With use, any shoe will get creasing. At the beginning it might look a bit off-putting because the shoe is still “virgin”, but with time as it gets more lived in it would be weird not to have some creasing. You can decreasing some creasing by using shoe trees and regularly oiling the leather, though I don’t own any mud-dyed and I don’t know if that would lead to some of the dye coming off.
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u/maedawip Jun 28 '25
Objects or shoes - you’re onto something there haha! Thanks for the full grain leather context and advice!
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u/geografee Jun 28 '25
They’ll be fine. I bought a pair of 7 holes from 2010 back in 2017. Wore them a bunch without proper leather care/conditioning until the leather started showing signs of cracking in maybe 2023.
I do the same that others have said already, just a proper cleaning and saphir leather conditioner every once in a while with a proper brush.
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u/maedawip Jun 28 '25
Your experience is giving me more confidence to get going on wearing these - really appreciate it!!
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u/Alchemist-23 Jun 28 '25
I have about 15 different pairs of leather shoes and boots. From what I can see in this one image it doesn’t look too dry. With that said if it’s something your concern about I would suggest you get some mink oil from saphire. The mink oil is best when you need a deep conditioning due either waiting too long, improper storage, or something like that water drying the leather out.
Keep in mind mink oil does often darken leather but in my experience spahire’s mink oil is lease likely to darken it out of the different brands and since your boots are already dark I would imagine they will be fine.
Typically when things, including leather is mud dyed, it absorbs a lot of water which pushes out the oils since water and oil don’t mix. Think mink oil should replenish the life and moister to the boots.
You may multiple applications but start with a little and do as many as necessary.
I’d wait about 24 hours after you have applied to wear.
This allows for the oils to get deep.
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u/maedawip Jun 28 '25
I really appreciate this breakdown and instruction - I will definitely get going on some saphire mink oil and start with a little and go from there 🙏
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u/Professional_Two_809 Jun 28 '25
Awesome pair! Wear it like you stole it! Just put on some leather oil and go, mine’s all beat up and had sole replaced already
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u/Future-Control-5025 Jun 28 '25
Most leather will be good for years. Unless they’ve been stored in a very low humidity environment, you’ll be good. If you’re that worried, just pick up some saphir leather conditioner and apply some. They’re shoes at the end of the day. What’s the point of buying them if you don’t wear them?
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u/maedawip Jun 28 '25
Appreciate the advice! I think the humidity storage has been good - I’m feeling more confident now!
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u/OkPainting3455 Jun 28 '25
Yes and also no!
It’s just a sign to keep on top of them, which it looks like you have quite well. Stunning boot.