If so, do you use their brand of shoe polish?

https://www.haixusa.com/haix-shoe-polish-black

My dept (I'm a senior volunteer, no longer a reserve deputy) got us a great deal and I now have these:

https://www.haixusa.com/haix-b...actical-2.0-gtx-high

I just read the manual - yes, way! - and Haix recommends using their band of shoe polish (see first link) for water repellency and their "Sun Reflect" effect. Not sure if I really need the "Sun Reflect" effect, though I do want to keep water out. I am an on-call volunteer and will wear these two, maybe three times/month, less in the summer.

Will cheaper Kiwi black polish maintain the water repellency?

About 12 years ago I was assigned to an Engine Company that also housed our Safety Officer. On our shift he was responsible for PPE and so
he received quite a bit of trial gear that he handed out to us to use. He gave me a pair of Haix boots to use while the rest of the Dept uses Globe and Promaster boots. These are by far the most comfortable and reliable boots I've ever used. Still waterproof and wearing them today after more fires than I can remember.

Mine are the pull on turnout boots, not laceup. And I've never applied any kind of polish or leather treatment to them.....

My brother uses Haix boots & loves them. I doubt he uses anything but Neatsfoot or Mink oil on them. I bought my husband a pair for the holidays but he hasn't used them enough to bother polishing them yet. But he'll use whatever polish he has on hand. Of course they tell you to use their products, they want to make money. It's a good business practice for them.

If you really want to keep water out, use "Sno-seal" on them when the leather is warm.