Working Shoe for Young Exec

[Kiton12345]

Thanks Kiton! The site is awesome!

Almost bought Collonil creams from Masterfix in Raffles. Heard its just as good as Saphire. But since its cheaper buying online, might as well go for the Saphire range.

Have a few questions.
A) From my understanding, this is the steps to take care of leather shoes
1. Use saddle soap to clean (Is this really necessary? Can I just use a cloth to clean the dirt from the shoe?)
2. Use shoe cream
3. Use Shoe Polish
4. Protect shoe with water repellents (Is there a difference with shoe spray or gel? Eg. Collonil.com and Saphir Medaille D'Or Tinted Renovator Suede Spray 250ml). There are so many different types of show polishes and creams that it gets so confusing.. But I must admit, I'm starting to have alittle fun researching them one by one
Am I missing any steps?

For shoes trees, there are different "lasts" (Shoe Horn - Quality Wood and Horn products | A Fine Pair of Shoes). Whats the difference? Or is the normal Cedar shoe trees good enough?

1)Saddle soap is only necessary after a lot of wax build up on you shoes.
2)I use it
3)I use it
4)Personally don't use water repellents. Wax polish does a good enough job in protecting against moisture. Unless you get them soaked, I don't see the need. Btw the suede spray is for suede leather and not calfskin.

"Lasts" are actually the shape of the shoe. The upper leathers are "lasted" to give shape on "lasts" which are actually wooden blocks of the shape of the shoe.

Normal trees are good enough however if your shoe manufacturer provides you with the option to purchase their lasted shoe trees, then I would opt for lasted shoe trees as those shoe trees should fit the shoe perfectly.

 

[hst201]

Very few places sell lasted shoe trees, which meant shoe trees that fit the exact shape or last of the shoes. For all intent and purposes, generic shoe trees are good enoug.

 

[TurkMan]

1)Saddle soap is only necessary after a lot of wax build up on you shoes.
2)I use it
3)I use it
4)Personally don't use water repellents. Wax polish does a good enough job in protecting against moisture. Unless you get them soaked, I don't see the need. Btw the suede spray is for suede leather and not calfskin.

"Lasts" are actually the shape of the shoe. The upper leathers are "lasted" to give shape on "lasts" which are actually wooden blocks of the shape of the shoe.

Normal trees are good enough however if your shoe manufacturer provides you with the option to purchase their lasted shoe trees, then I would opt for lasted shoe trees as those shoe trees should fit the shoe perfectly.

Given Singapore rainy weather and floods.. I thought it would be good to take an extra precaution in weather proofing the shoes. But maybe I can do without it. That just boils down to creaming and polishing

 

[doody_]

I've been trying to find a shoe care "guide" online, but everyone has their own unique way of doing things. You can use these 2 sites as some sort of guide.

Basic Shoecare Guide

Shoe Care Instructions

 

[Ind1go]

Thanks Kiton! The site is awesome!

Almost bought Collonil creams from Masterfix in Raffles. Heard its just as good as Saphire. But since its cheaper buying online, might as well go for the Saphire range.

Have a few questions.
A) From my understanding, this is the steps to take care of leather shoes
1. Use saddle soap to clean (Is this really necessary? Can I just use a cloth to clean the dirt from the shoe?)
2. Use shoe cream
3. Use Shoe Polish
4. Protect shoe with water repellents (Is there a difference with shoe spray or gel? Eg. Collonil.com and Saphir Medaille D'Or Tinted Renovator Suede Spray 250ml). There are so many different types of show polishes and creams that it gets so confusing.. But I must admit, I'm starting to have alittle fun researching them one by one
Am I missing any steps?

For shoes trees, there are different "lasts" (Shoe Horn - Quality Wood and Horn products | A Fine Pair of Shoes). Whats the difference? Or is the normal Cedar shoe trees good enough?

My 2 cents.

1. Instead of saddle soap, try Renomat from the Saphir Range. It is better for stripping the existing layers of wax. Use every 6 months or so.

2. I use shoe cream on the entire shoe.

3. I only use shoe polish on the toe cap and heel counter.

4. Don't use the stuff on calfskin. It is not needed if your shoe is well treated with cream / wax. At least we don't have to worry about salt damage here. I only use it on light colored suede as the potential to stain is extremely high.

For your shoe trees, you can try Endless.com, the shipping is extremely cheap (free if your order is more than USD$100)

 

[LiquidShaDow]

Very few places sell lasted shoe trees, which meant shoe trees that fit the exact shape or last of the shoes. For all intent and purposes, generic shoe trees are good enoug.

Yeap, I agree with that. Generic shoe tree will suffice. The uppers will eventually mould into the shape of your foot, not the last. Lasted or not is not really important.

 

[leogeo]

where to buy shoe trees from and approx how much do they cost?

 

[Ind1go]

where to buy shoe trees from and approx how much do they cost?

Just 2 posts above you, i already posted a suggestion.

 

[staedtler_07]

Anyone bought shoes from Ed El Al? Just went to their shop and they need to wait for like 2 months for the shoes to be made. Finely hand crafted leather with SEA calf leather and good year welt.

 

[arcturuz]

my suede shoes got mould

i use suede brush also cannot brush them off, any tips ? lol.

 

[jhchoo85]

my suede shoes got mould

i use suede brush also cannot brush them off, any tips ? lol.

Suede erasers? If not, just send them to the cobbler to get it cleaned.

 

[yuangc]

wearing doc marten boots 1460 cherry red to office. what are your thoughts?

 

[Kiton12345]

Suede erasers? If not, just send them to the cobbler to get it cleaned.

That's good and will work. I recommend suede cleaners as well.

wearing doc marten boots 1460 cherry red to office. what are your thoughts?

Boots and office just don't go together. There's a time and place for everything. Respect the formality of the venue and occasion.

Boots can always been worn on your casual fridays or after office play dates but definitely not during work.

 

[osirisx]

anyone here know where to get maroon/burgundy shoes?

I'm also looking for shoes with black & brown mixed in, those u can kinda see the "swirl" but was told that they only come in pvc
also saw a interesting blue & grey mixed shoe but its also in pvc(which I heard will crack)

any specific pros and cons? does pvc really crack after sometime?
so far I've only been wearing my trusty black leather shoe

 

[tofuguy]

anyone here know where to get maroon/burgundy shoes?

I'm also looking for shoes with black & brown mixed in, those u can kinda see the "swirl" but was told that they only come in pvc
also saw a interesting blue & grey mixed shoe but its also in pvc(which I heard will crack)

any specific pros and cons? does pvc really crack after sometime?
so far I've only been wearing my trusty black leather shoe

Do you have any example of such a swirl ?

By PVC, are you referring to corrected leather ?

 

[osirisx]

Do you have any example of such a swirl ?

By PVC, are you referring to corrected leather ?

something like this

swirl like mixture(visible black and brown)

hmm...pvc should be those synthetic/plastic leather, heard from salesperson that it might crack
probably something like your pic...do pvc actually crack under normal use?

 

[Kiton12345]

something like this

swirl like mixture(visible black and brown)

hmm...pvc should be those synthetic/plastic leather, heard from salesperson that it might crack
probably something like your pic...do pvc actually crack under normal use?

You can achieve those "swirls" by polishing. It is present in calfskin as well but depends on the people who finish your shoes at the shoe factory whether they antique their own shoes.

It is actually what we call antiquing can be achieved by yourself through polishing.

 

[arcturuz]

Suede erasers? If not, just send them to the cobbler to get it cleaned.

That's good and will work. I recommend suede cleaners as well.

thanks i have actually tried using my aldo suede erasers, but the mould just won't come off..lol

 

[Ind1go]

thanks i have actually tried using my aldo suede erasers, but the mould just won't come off..lol

Wash them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQY-NVhpzQw

 

[TurkMan]

Do most of you guys Topy or vibram your shoes?

I like the leather details at the bottom of my soles and think it's a waste to have it covered.

But I'd rather preserve the life span of my shoes.. Or can I wear them for a year, and then have it topied/vibram after?