You’ve splashed the cash and bought yourself a pair of expensive leather shoes. Good stuff.
Leather shoes, if they are well maintained, can last for many years, making them a wise investment in footwear for a classy gentleman. But caring for leather shoes, and shoes themselves, can be a bit tricky to get right, especially if you are new to the world of upper-class shoe wear.
So, chaps here is a very brief guide on how to keep your leather shoes looking their best for as long as possible.
Polish
The first thing you need to do when caring for leather footwear is to invest in high-quality shoe polish. Not only that, but you will need to apply the polish evenly and, preferably, with a soft cloth, especially if you live in a climate where your shoes are exposed to harsh weather conditions like ice, snow, mud, and excessive sunlight, which can age the leather prematurely.
Aim to polish your shoes every 25 wears or so, or more regularly if you want to. If you are looking for a high-quality polish, head to a men’s fashion website like Burrows & Hare.
Weatherproofing
Going back to the weather for a minute, if you live in a city where it is excessively warm, your leather shoes can begin to wrinkle and crack. So, if you want them to last for a few years, you need to weatherproof them. This is usually done after you have applied a standard polish to them and can be done about once a season. Beeswax polish is a great and affordable way to weatherproof leather and can even be applied to briefcases and leather coats too.
Air Dry Only
You may have seen some gents online using small hairdryers to dry their leather shoes after they have cleaned them. While quick, this is a big no-no.
To allow your leather shoes to maintain their softness, and not crack, after you wash them (and before you polish them), let them air dry. This will allow the leather to absorb moisture from the water and keep itself flexible.
Shoe Trees
If you only intend to wear your new posh shoes a few times a month, then you will need to invest in some shoe trees to insert in between wears. Why? Because if the leather isn’t worn, it can lose its support and its shape, meaning that the next time you wear your shoes, they may look odd.
The best material for a shoe tree insert is cedar wood. While plastic can also be used, it will not absorb potential moisture from inside the shoe, which can lead to the shoe or the insoles rotting.
Storage
OK, so you may think that when you aren’t wearing your leather shoes you can just place them on a shoe rack in your hallway. This is fine if there is no dampness or mold. As stated before, leather doesn’t do well with dampness. So, if you need to store them somewhere where there may be excess moisture, place them in a breathable bag.
