Do You Put Conditioner on Leather Straps?
I am curious if you guys put leather conditioner on your leather watch straps? I do because I think it keeps them pliable and prevents them from drying out but sometimes it can dramatically change the color of the strap. Sometimes after doing it I regret it because of the color change - as on the lighter colored straps in will darken them - but I think it prolongs the life. Do you guys treat your leather straps with anything?
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If looking a bit tatty I occasionally put on a leather restorer cream, but depends on the leather. I suppose preventative measures are a good idea, I always forget !
Conditioning leathers, be it a strap you love, shoes/boots, jackets...never a bad idea IMHO. Hell, I've still got the baseball glove I played with in college, and still use it to play catch in the yard today because of occasional application of leather conditioner, saddle soap & elbow grease. And that was bought 35 years ago! 😎
I honestly forget to do this periodically but I like to treat all my leather (shoes, jackets, gloves, deskmats). In my opinion it needs it and will improve its lifespan. And I can live with the darkening of lighter leather, it also varies between the stuff you use to treat it with.
Usually not in middle age. When new, to make it softer and look less new. And then once again when it starts deteriorating in a vain attempt at preservation.
Don't forget that any chemical you put on it will absorb into your skin which is a big sponge to liquids.
I was just wondering this yesterday as I was conditioning some new straps. Nice to know I'm not the only one! Same as leather boots, I feel like it's just basic maintenance. It keeps the leather hydrated and free of cracks, and it makes breaking in a new strap so much easier.
On a smooth, finished leather you shouldn't see any color change. On a nubuck leather, the change can be significant. I've conditioned nubuck to make it darker on purpose, but if you're worried you can always test an inconspicuous area first.
I think it’s mostly not necessary.
Unlike shoes, belt or bags, most of the strap is in permanent contact with the skin. It’s a bit like the leather from a car wheel.
So the oil from the skin will hydrate the inner part just perfectly.
Some of it also reaches the outside, plus you are probably touching it several times a day.
Moreover as you said, a cream darkens light tans.
I would only use a cream if a strap suffered really bad conditions or is showing some cracking.
But if it does, I would be more inclined to blame the leather quality or the use (beware of not drying it brutally, leave it hours in the wet or under the sun) than the caring.
Also, when you have to, make sure to use proper cream.
One of the best brand is certainly Saphir.
Or better, just use a bit of hand cream.
I only use Saddle Soap on my leather stuff, and I don't overdo it either. An occasional treatment is all you really need to do.
Very good post. I had bought some new shoes and saw how even new shoes should be conditioned and polished. Just got a leather strap... Need to get some Saphir!
I'm a leather junkie. Occasionally, I'll wipe the strap down with a damp cloth. When the strap is feeling dry to the touch I'll condition it very lightly. I use Bick4 to condition most of my leather as it will only darken the leather just a little bit, if any at all. My experience has shown that when it does darken the leather a little, after some time it returns to it's original color, or very, very close to it.