Leather Shoe Care

triggerthat

triggerthat

triggerthat

Soldato
Joined
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Hi – bought another pair of Loakes recently and wanted to ask if there is anything I can buy to pro-long its life/condition. I’ve heard about mink oil, beeswax and water protection but I’m a bit miffed as to what to buy.

Also, is it recommended to get a layer of rubber put on the soles?
 
Interesting. Can I use it on new shoes?

Forgot to mention, I did buy another buy with rubber (Loake Heston). Was thinking of putting rubber on the Aldwych but will probably resole them with rubber.
 
Clean them with a damp cloth regularly and polish them. Make sure you don't wear them every day so they have time to rest and breathe. Airways use wooden shoe trees (not plastic).

If you do resole then consider putting Dainite soles on them.
 
triggerthat said:
Interesting. Can I use it on new shoes?

Forgot to mention, I did buy another buy with rubber (Loake Heston). Was thinking of putting rubber on the Aldwych but will probably resole them with rubber.
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Absolutely can use it on new shoes :)

Also to echo the above leave a day between wears and put cedarwood shoe trees in straight away to draw out the moisture :) I personally use a horsehair brush rather than a damp cloth after every wear
 
Thanks. The saphir cream arrived and looks good. I suppose its worth buying the regular cream polish as well? Also, what brush do you recommend. Certainly looking to invest in more shoes now :)
 
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/herring/large-shoe-brush/dark-bristles

cream polish or a wax based polish are good to give it the actual shine if you want that, i'm personally quite happy with the more satin finish that the cream gives with a good buff :) My Herrings (made by Barker but badged to be herrings) came with beeswax shoe cream that ive used a couple of times but don't really need to if i use the sapphir every other week and give them a good going over with the brush after every wear

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A bit OT but

I have been thinking about buying some herring shoes, I bought a pari of Alden shoes last year which I could not be more happy with, I see you can get a nice pair from Herring for around £300 compared to around £500 of Alden. Whats the quality like?

the other option is www.vass-shoes.com, he will make a pari for around £500 which is not bad value for bespoke shoes.
 
Herring have their shoes made for them by a variety of manufacturers, if you choose ones that specify uk them they'll be made by loake barker or cheaney most probably, easiest way to check is the last shape.

At £300 I'd take a guess at them being made by cheaney, so the quality should be very very good

Plus their customer service is great, so when combined with their no quibble return policy there's no reason not to give them a try :)
 
OK tried the saphir cream and it certainly looks good. I noticed Herring don't stock the cream polish but I've come across afinepairofshoes. Are they any good?
 
triggerthat said:
but I’m a bit miffed as to what to buy
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I don't think you're using the word "miffed" in the correct context :confused:

I use Woly shoe cream for colour polishing, and Saphir Glacage (which is colourless) for shining. I try not to use the Woly on anything with a burnished finish as it changes the colour of the leather.
 
rG-tom said:
Herring have their shoes made for them by a variety of manufacturers, if you choose ones that specify uk them they'll be made by loake barker or cheaney most probably, easiest way to check is the last shape.

At £300 I'd take a guess at them being made by cheaney, so the quality should be very very good

Plus their customer service is great, so when combined with their no quibble return policy there's no reason not to give them a try :)
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Cool thanks, I had a google and you can got cheaney shoes for around £200, would that be a better bet?

I also just found Edward Green, and they look lovely. A little expensive but maybe I could find some in sale
 
Indirectly related -- I'm pondering getting a pair of leather-sole shoe rubbered. I'd like to have a pair that are a bit more weather proof. Doing that is almost a 'must' in france for example, while here it seems it's not 'recommended' -- is it not 'recommended' because it create more wear and thus forces people to buy more shoes?
 
Do you mean having a rubber 'topper' applied over the leather sole or the sole completely replaced with a rubber one? If you are going to replace it then you may as well buy a different shoe instead of that one (if you haven't yet bought it). I think there is an argument to say that a rubber topper doesn't let a sole breath as much but personally I don't see and issue with it. It adds grip and increases the longevity of the sole in my view.

Assuming you already have the shoes then a topper will be almost invisible and will certainly help maintain grip and weatherproofing. Or you could have a dainite sole put on instead.
 
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I really really hate you guys....really.

I should never click these sites but now I find the need to buy new shoes.

Oxfords not brogues.....
 
Hades said:
Do you mean having a rubber 'topper' applied over the leather sole or the sole completely replaced with a rubber one? If you are going to replace it then you may as well buy a different shoe instead of that one (if you haven't yet bought it). I think there is an argument to say that a rubber topper doesn't let a sole breath as much but personally I don't see and issue with it. It adds grip and increases the longevity of the sole in my view.

Assuming you already have the shoes then a topper will be almost invisible and will certainly help maintain grip and weatherproofing. Or you could have a dainite sole put on instead.
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Hades, yes, just a toping. Apparently if done properly, it's next to invisible and helps a lot with durabilty. http://www.theshoesnobblog.com/2016/04/the-french-sole-treatment-in-london.html -- now to find a 'proper' shop to do that..?
 
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