OK here is the scoop. First off I have to assume your boots fit properly and that they are broken in. If they are not broken in a couple weeks of wet weather will do the trick. Next make sure you have a Peet boot dryer and you use it every day. Once a month fill your boots with hot tap water which has had a half cup of baking soda disolved in it. Let the boots sit in the sink full for 10 minutes, drain and put on the Peet dryer. Don't rinse out the baking soda because it changes the pH and kills the bacteria and fungi that causes boot odor and breakdown. Keep your toe nails trimmed and use foot powder lightly every day. Proper high quality socks are a must!
The shaft or your boots should be fairly stiff but the tonque should be soft and pliable. Use Obenhauf's or White's (same stuff) only. Not some off brand and no SnoSeal. Oil the tongue and really flex it and work the oil into it. Fold the tongue according the White's instructions!!! Next work in Obenhauf's grease in to your warm boots, including the tongue protector, aka a kiltie aka a false tongue. Run the lace starting on top of the tongue protector and then through the eyelets. The tongue protector allows you to lace the boot snugly without the laces digging into the top of your foot AND keeps the tongue from wearing out and getting a hole in it. The tongue protector may have to be trimmed in width to fit your boot, mine do.
White's Bight" occurs when the laces irritate the top of your foot. You may have to skip a set of holes or eyelets or you may have to tie an overhand knot 3 or 4 holes up to keet the foot snug but the shaft loose.
Rinse your boots off every night and put them on the dryer. Treat the leather as needed, rebuild (by White's) when worn out. Leather laces are a bit easier on the eyelets and hooks but need frequent replacing. Never dry your boots by a fire or stove!
