Looking after the outside of boxing gloves. Any tips please?

[AloisiusMontana]

Hey, anyone got some tips on maintaining the outside of leather boxing gloves?

A pair of my sparring gloves are starting to show some wear and the leather is getting a bit hard. Recently bought some new ones and want to try and maintain them properly to prolong its life!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Nameless One]

I've heard that a very tiny amount of neatsfoot oil works. Its normally used on leather baseball gloves and leather saddles.

As for cleaning the outside, I've heard a tiny amount of Murphy's Oil Soap works well without drying the glove out. Also used by folks on leather baseball gloves and leather saddles.

I haven't done either myself, but have actually been considering it on a pair of nearly 10 yr old gloves that are still in great shape... even though its mostly from disuse! ;) But they have some funky paint marks from somebody using them to punch a cinderblock wall(dont ask).

[AloisiusMontana]

lol..

thanks for the suggestions...

[Mumrik]

The leather is getting hard???

[Nameless One]

I imagine the leather is drying out.

[MIDMOBOX]

saddle soap and mink oil. works.

[Nameless One]

Did some more research on this:

"A 'neat' is a beef animal, and this oil used to be made out of cow hooves, hence the name. It is heavy oil and is known to rot cotton stitching on leather items that have been sewn."

"Saddle soap is a great solution for saddles but can actually harm upholstery leather. Saddles are made from tough, vegetable tanned leather that can take the alkalinity of saddle soap. It's intended to remove manure and related heavy soil from saddles."

"Contrary to popular myth, saddle soap is not recommended for cleaning leather couches. Like other everyday furniture cleaners, it is too harsh for most types of soft leather."

"Mink oil will leave furniture feeling greasy. It’s primary purpose is as a water proofing agent for hiking boots. It is not recommended as a protective coating for upholstery leather."

Understanding Leather Products

Based on what I've read, it seems for the type of leather that is used on boxing gloves, you would want to use a very small amount of neatsfoot oil, while being very careful not to get any on the seams. In addition to cotton seams, I've also read that using too much neatsfoot oil on the leather itself can actually cause the leather to rot as well. I havn't found any info on whether mink oil or saddle soap have this problem. I've used mink oil on shoes before but that's it.

[MIDMOBOX]

Not to discount your research, but a small amount of saddle soap does nothing to the stitching of boxing gloves. THere is cotton stitching on saddles as well.

In regards to the mink oil, it does leave a slightly greasy finish that you allow to sit, then wipe off. they may remain tacky for awhile but it doesn't effect their use or get goo on your partners. The mink oil I've used for almost 14 years, I still have a pair of Ringsides from 10 years ago that would still be usable if not for the fact that the padding is completely gone.

I have never used, neat's foot oil, so I can not comment on it, but based on what you say I may try it.

[SquidKing]

He said not to get Neat oil on the stitching, not saddle soap.

I personally don't know about any of this, as I've never had to wash my gloves.

[Nameless One]

A lot of modern gloves don't use cotton stitching anymore as well... I think nylon is more common now... but unless you know for sure, probably would be smart to be extra careful.. and i'd imagine you would probably not want to condition the glove very often.

All this is probably more important for an autographed glove or an antique... seems 95% of the time the padding and liner goes a lot sooner than the leather on well used gloves.