Saddle soap has long been a trusted tool in the upkeep of leather goods, offering cleaning, conditioning, and protection for everything from boots to bags. As leather care becomes increasingly popular, more brands have entered the market, each offering their unique twist on this classic product. Some brands have stood out for their consistency, effectiveness, and reputation within the leather care community. Below, we invite you to explore a curated list of some of the best brands of saddle soap available today.
Illustration of saddle soap
Best brands of saddle soap in 2025
Fiebing's
Fiebing's is renowned as one of the best producers of saddle soap, with their signature product being used globally on fine saddlery, boots, shoes, and other smooth leather articles for generations. This saddle soap cleans and lubricates leather fibers, preventing brittleness and maintaining suppleness and strength. It is available in various sizes, including a 12-ounce tin, and comes in different colors to match the color of your tack. The soap contains foaming agents and glycerine to moisturize the leather as it cleans. Fiebing's Saddle Soap is a tried and true leather cleaner, standing the test of time with its slightly foaming properties and gentle cleansing action.
Kiwi
Kiwi, a renowned brand under SC Johnson, is a leading producer of saddle soap, known for its effective removal of embedded dirt and grime from smooth leather, leaving it with a soft lustre and supple texture. The Kiwi brand is part of a larger leather care products market projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2024 to 2031, reaching USD 5.2 billion by 2031. Kiwi's products, such as the Outdoor Saddle Soap, are popular for their quality and versatility. The brand's presence in the global shoe polish market, which is expected to reach USD 23.2 billion by 2030 with an 8.1% CAGR, further solidifies its position as a top manufacturer. Kiwi's commitment to providing long-lasting shine and protection has made it a trusted name in the industry.
Otter Wax
Otter Wax is renowned as one of the best producers of saddle soap, leveraging a proprietary blend of all-natural beeswax, castile soap, and essential oils to gently clean, protect, and revive leather. Made without harsh detergents, chemicals, or dyes, this product is safe for all types and colors of leather. Otter Wax products are handmade in Portland, Oregon, ensuring high-quality, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic ingredients. The saddle soap is effective in restoring shine and moisture to leather, with temporary darkening that lightens back to the original color within a few days. This commitment to natural and sustainable ingredients aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly cleaning products, a trend that has been driving market dynamics since 2014.
Bickmore
Bickmore is renowned as one of the top producers of saddle soap and leather care products, known for its high-quality formulations that clean, condition, polish, and protect leather in a single step. The Bickmore Leather Conditioner (BICK4) is a favorite among users, praised for its proprietary blend of natural emulsifiers, conditioners, and moisturizers that do not leave residue or alter the leather color. This product is part of a broader market that is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2024 to 2031, reaching a market size of USD 5.2 billion by 2031. Bickmore's products are favored for their effectiveness and gentle treatment of leather, making them a staple in the leather care industry. The brand's commitment to natural ingredients sets it apart from competitors.
Lexol
Lexol is a renowned brand in the leather care industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality saddle soap and leather conditioners. Known for its pH-balanced formulas, Lexol products are designed to safely clean and protect leather without causing harm or deterioration, making them ideal for equine leather tack such as saddles, bridles, and harnesses. The brand's Neatsfoot Leather Conditioner, for example, uses fine neatsfoot oils to soften and renew leather, preventing cracking and premature aging. Lexol's products are part of a larger market that is expected to grow significantly, with the leather conditioner market projected to reach USD 220.83 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.41% from 2024 to 2031. This growth is driven by increasing demand for premium leather items and the rising trend of eco-friendly and natural leather conditioners. For more information about Lexol products, visit their Lexol Leather Care page.
Effax
Effax is renowned as one of the best producers of saddle soap and leather care products, offering a range of effective and gentle solutions. Their Glycerin Soap, for instance, cleans all types of smooth leather quickly and thoroughly, removing obstinate dirt, dust, and sweat marks while making the leather supple. The Effax Leather Cream in the squeeze tube is also highly recommended for daily use, particularly for bridles and other tack. With a 15% discount available on their 250ml Glycerin Soap, Effax products are not only effective but also economically viable. Their products have been trusted by leather enthusiasts for many years, ensuring long-lasting care and protection for leather items.
Farnam
Farnam is renowned as one of the best producers of saddle soap, particularly with their Leather New® Liquid Glycerine Saddle Soap Cleaner, which is formulated for everyday use to keep leather goods clean, conditioned, and polished in a single step. This self-polishing saddle soap removes embedded dirt and grime, renews and softens leather by replacing natural oils, and leaves a long-lasting shine without any oily residue. It is highly praised for its ease of use and effectiveness, making it a favorite among users for cleaning saddles, bridles, and other leather tack. The product is available in a 16oz spray bottle, making it convenient for regular quick use. Farnam's Leather New® has garnered positive reviews for its ability to improve leather condition with just one application.
Horseman's One Step
Horseman's One Step is not widely regarded as one of the best producers for saddle soap due to its limitations in thoroughly cleaning dirty items and leaving a slightly tacky residue on leather. It is useful for maintaining lightly soiled tack but falls short for heavily dirty items like boots. The product does not come with cleaning sponges and may require repeated applications to achieve desired results. Despite its satin finish and leather softening properties, it is not the preferred choice for many equestrians. It was reviewed in 2014, highlighting its mixed performance.
Carr & Day & Martin
Carr & Day & Martin is a renowned brand in the equestrian industry, boasting over 250 years of experience in producing high-quality horse care and grooming products, including saddle soaps. Trusted by equestrians in nearly 50 countries, their products are known for their effectiveness in conditioning, protecting, and adding shine to leather. Their Belvoir Tack Conditioner, formulated with glycerine and coconut oil, provides ultimate nourishment for new or fine leather and deeply conditions dry or cracked leather. The brand's legacy and global recognition make it a preferred choice for maintaining and enhancing the appearance of tack. With a range of products available, Carr & Day & Martin continues to set standards in horse care and grooming.
Ray Holes Co.
Ray Holes Leather Care is renowned for its high-quality, all-natural leather care products, particularly its Saddle Butter, which has been a benchmark for protecting leather against sun, wet weather, and sweat for over 80 years. The company uses a combination of pure animal and plant products, including beeswax, Brazilian carnauba wax, tallow, and pure Neatsfoot oil, with no modern synthetics or chemicals. They source over 60% of their ingredients within 200 miles of their operations in Butte, MT. This commitment to natural ingredients and local sourcing ensures the longevity and health of the leather. The Saddle Butter is widely used on saddles, boots, chaps, and other leather gear exposed to harsh conditions.
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