My wifes original walking boots, all leather, cheap ones made in Eastern Europe, they look like a pair of Brashers and have sat untouched in our garage for about 15 years and have never been moved since then. After reading your thread I decided to have a look at them again. No problem, they were covered in dust and are obviously in need of a good going over to try soften them up again, but they look almost as they did the last time they were used. The insides of the boots look perfect. I'm not gpoing to try to soften them for use again, my wife will never use them anymore. All that she remembers about them was how good they were at grip when crossing slippery rocks. The soles are well worn but in those days she wore them a lot.