Best Saddle Oil – Top oils that will make your saddle pad shiny!

You may have bought the best saddle in the world, but if you don’t take good care of it, it will get ruined very quickly. Usually made of leather, saddles require regular tender loving care to be in their top condition. This includes cleaning and oiling.

This is the aspect of maintenance that we are going to discuss today. We will also give you a glimpse of the best available options in the market right now.

Tips to take care of a saddle

• Ideally, you must clean your saddle after every ride. You should wipe it down before storing so that all the dirt accumulated during the ride is taken care of immediately.
• Once every now and then, you should clean it thoroughly. How often you should do this depends on usage.
• Store the saddle in a climate-controlled area or a cool and dry place. Make sure you do not expose it to sunlight. 
• Remember that airtight and plastic bags can actually hurt the condition of your saddle because it needs to breathe. 
• If you see any cracks in the leather or any rigging, pay attention to it immediately. Leaving such issues for long can cause problems.
• Oil your saddle regularly to make sure the leather is shiny, and the saddle is durable for a long period of time.

How to oil a saddle

Now, let’s shift our focus to oiling the saddle with ease. Here’s what you should remember –

• Always go by the manufacturer’s recommendation when it comes to choosing the right product. The manufacturer knows what kind of care the saddle needs and can, thus, recommend products accordingly. 
• Buy the recommended saddle oil.
• Work with your fingertips while applying the oil. We advise you to trim your nails so that this step is not a hassle for you.
• Apply the oil in a circular motion. Also, follow the guidelines on the product’s label.
• Let the saddle dry overnight.
• Apply another coat.
• Give it another day to dry.

Voila! Now, your saddle is shiny and new again!

Best Saddle Oil

If you are not liking the manufacturer’s suggestions and would like to check a few additional products, the following list will help you significantly. 

1. Bee Natural Saddle Oil

This excellent saddle oil works for all saddles, tacks, and grain leather products. It mainly works to enhance the beauty of leather and protect it at the same time. Below are a few reasons why we love it:

• It has endorsements from leather artists, craftspeople, and professional saddle makers.
• It has the ability of color control despite penetrating deep to work its magic.
• You can apply multiple streaks without worrying about blotches or streaks. The surface residue is also quite minimal.
• It repels dirt and dust. So, the accumulation of unwanted elements is much lower once you apply this oil.
• Many users have also said that it softens leather and makes it quite supple.

2. Fiebing’s 100% Neatsfoot Oil

This neat’s-foot Oil is one of our favorites because it is versatile, reliable, and very easy to use. Here’s why you should buy it:

• You can use it to polish and shine any leather article that you use regularly. This includes boots, harnesses, jackets, gloves, and shoes.
• It is a natural preservative that replaces the natural oils. This ensures longevity of the product.
• It repels water.
• It also ensures that you don’t suffer with stiffening problems due to outdoor exposure and contact with moisture.
• It works wonders on dried leather. It makes it supple and restores it to look as good as new.

3. Hydrophane Darken Oil

Those who are looking for an oil that can darken leather will love this product. It is a tan oil that mainly works to tan the leather. What else does it do? Keep reading to find out:

• It works to protect leather while darkening it.
• The darkening is a gradual process. This means that with every application, you will see the leather darken more.
• It is a clear oil and not a dye. 
• It works to darken leather permanently.
• It usually takes 2-3 coats to get the desired result. But, based on how dark you want your saddle to be, you can apply more coats.
• The only concern users have had with this oil is that it rises even after 2-3 weeks of application. Please be careful about this and speak to the manufacturer to ensure it is not a permanent problem.

4. Leather Cleaner – Leather Honey

Make your cleaning process easier than before with this excellent leather cleaner. It is the perfect saddle oil and has multiple other uses as well, such as cleaning leather apparel, shoes, accessories, auto interiors, and more. Here’s why we love it:

• Along with leather, you can use the oil to clean and restore plastic, rubber, vinyl, and faux leather. However, it is not suitable for suede.
• It works to remove tough stains as well as grime.
• It is a non-toxic saddle oil.
• It is a concentrated formula that you should dilute before use. One bottle makes 32 ounces of cleaner ready to use! (1:8 ratio)
• You can use the diluted mixture directly or through a spray bottle and then use a lint-free cloth to wipe it. Do not scrub aggressively.

5. Huberd’s Leather Dressing Oil

Nothing delights buyers more than seeing the Amazon’s Choice tag on shortlisted products! The Huberd’s oil fits this desire! It is a neat’s-foot oil that works its magic without any delays. Find out more below:

• It consists of natural compounds such as beeswax and neat’s-foot oil.
• It works well on saddles, harnesses, straps, and other leather items.
• It softens dry leather and restores them wonderfully. It also has the ability to preserve the products.
• It has mild waterproofing properties.
• It is significantly weatherproof as it prevents drying in different climates.
• The leather retains its breathability even after application of the oil.
• Please note that this oil is not recommended for white leather and suede.

Depending on your preferences, you can choose any of the above top saddle oils. They are all among the best but have specific features that you can pick.

Don’t forget to comment if you have any suggestions or doubts.