The best Shoe Treatments & Polishes: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Stain and water repelling spray for suede / leather! I treat all of my leather shoes, accessories, and jackets with this stuff, and it’s been a lifesaver on multiple occasions (i.e., spilling a whole cup of milk tea on SW suede boots, accidentally walking through wet grass in cream leather sandals)

I’ve tried this Apple Brand one from Amazon as well as this Synovia one from Nordstrom and both have worked well for me!

I’ll usually spray items at least once at the start of season.

Great choice, I got the same coat a couple months ago. Feels like I could take a bullet with this thing on!

I'd recommend hitting it with an can of Apple brand water repellent. Zero discoloration to my coat and the water beads and just rolls right off.

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Brand-Repellent-Conditioner-Protector/dp/B00B6F9KXG

Suede Care Mini Review: Following the success of the Apple Brand leather cleaner and conditioner, I ordered the Apple Brand rain and stain repellent spray from Amazon. It shipped ground and took over a week to arrive even with Prime shipping. I put two coats on a pair of beloved suede combat boots. The spray did slightly darken the suede, even after drying completely. The fumes are fairly strong; I'd suggest spraying and drying outside. After drying, I tested the effects, and water does indeed roll right off of the suede without wetting the material at all. I'm pleased, but I don't love this product as much as the cleaner or conditioner from the same brand.

Suede is more durable than you think. I understand your concerns though. I’ve used this one on suede strands, and I don’t have any complaints. It darkened the color while it was wet, but that only lasted a few minutes.

https://www.amazon.com/Tarrago-Hightech-Nano-Protector-Spray/dp/B003U47QBY

I really like Saphir brand products. I use the Saphir Medaille d'Or Leather Renovator. My friend who has a lot of auth Hermès said their store reps recommend this brand and it’s worked really well on my bags so far (I have quite a few bags from 187). I also use their waterproofing spray and brushes.

I was told water proof spray. You can buy a can on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6F9KXG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not endorsing this product, just happened to be the first one on my search and the one I picked.

The best solution in your situation is to get a fresh bottle of neutral color Saphir Creme Universelle and mix it with your dried-out Saphir.

Saphir Creme Universelle is quite liquid, so it would add moisture that is lost in your old cream. I wouldn't mix the entire bottle, though. Try to do it with one shoe pair job at a time and see how it goes and what proportion of Univerelle to dried Saphir you need for the best result.

Seriously though, try this..

Take laces out and soak in a mix of 1/4 bleach 1/4 dish soap and 1/2 water for 24/48 hrs then remove and scrub by hand and rinse under running water until white.

Use a soft brush and dish soap/water and scrub the shoes clean being careful around peeling parts. Let dry completely

use glue and try to glue down the peels so it doesn't look too bad.

Once their as clean as they will get, if possible, get some white shoe polish... I would use THIS for the soles and then I would use .THIS. for the uppers/rest of the shoe.

You can always repaint them too if you want. You can have them restored to DS condition if you want also.. It basically comes down to how much money you wanna spend.

I would recommend using Apple Brand Garde on vachetta leather (https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Brand-Repellent-Conditioner-Protector/dp/B00B6F9KXG/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=apple+guard&qid=1594394228&sr=8-5) to avoid getting water spots on it. You can also tie a twilly around the vachetta to match your personal style

Skoaktiebolaget 🇸🇪 sells Bick 4

As for VSC, ordering it off of Amazon would have them handle all VAT and import and the like.

Both of those are sharp guys... not a bad look at all. For me, personally, I need color. But, we're talking about you! LOL

I like that the white in the shoes is stuff you can hit with a bottle of white shoe polish. This shit is absolutely worth it.

https://www.amazon.com/KIWI-Sport-Shoe-Whitener-4-0/dp/B000UDEBMA/

I postedy method of caring for water spots a few weeks back:

https://reddit.com/r/allenedmonds/comments/v816te/how_do_i_fix_water_spots_my_method_at_fixing_spots/

I use water protective spray on my suede boots, but not the ones in the above post: Tarrago Hightech Nano Protector

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003U47QBY?

You can try this. I haven't yet but reviews on this product look great.

Angelus Sole Bright 3.9 oz https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00METXKD4/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_HSPNEQ88AQCV2JB5XRBP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

In terms of shoe care, is it entirely necessary to use shoe polish, or is Saphir Renovator sufficient? I would rather not buy black shoe polish if I don't need to; I only have one pair of black shoes. I understand that Saphir Renovator is not the same as shoe polish, but it could be used on all of my leather products, making it more versatile.

For reference, I'm talking about: https://www.amazon.com/Saphir-Medaille-Leather-Renovator-Multicolor/dp/B004ECWBZW/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1XK4LPLZSNU3E&keywords=saphir+renovateur&qid=1652033104&sprefix=saphir+re%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-5

Been meaning to give this a shot, as well!

Saphir Medaille d'Or Renovator – All-Purpose Leather Shoe Cleaner & Conditioner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ECWBZW/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_XF499XHNX1931XX66SE6

Are they newer or older? If they're newer, the gap will close with wear as the leather stretches. You might be able to accelerate that process by applying leather conditioner or leather stretch spray to the inside and outside of the quarters. I'd be careful to stay well clear of the lace holes though. Don't want you to tear the leather at a hole because you softened it too much.

If they're older, they've probably already stretched as much as they are going to.

There are two levels of the Saphir products: Kinda Pricey and Very Pricey. Here is the lower priced option:

https://www.amazon.com/Saphir-Renovateur-Luxury-Leather-Care/dp/B002PLC60Y/

Here is the Very Pricey version of the same thing:

I was going to suggest Bick4 but considering how dry these look, it might not be enough. When I conditioned my dad's boots that were all cracked from 4 years of negligence I used Saphir and it worked really well. Did 2 applications of it and it brought the leather back to life with incredible patina.

I cleaner is going to remove the yellowing. You’re going to have to use something like Angelus Sole Bright and UV light/rays.

Angelus Sole Bright 3.9 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00METXKD4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_947R6Q9TVP5K8E9KJQMH

I recommend this over mink oil for the future.

Saphir Medaille d'Or Renovator – All-Purpose Leather Shoe Cleaner & Conditioner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ECWBZW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_6NR7XJHT1J1MADZ1W0TE

Use this:

FootMatters Professional Boot & Shoe Stretch Spray – Softener & Stretcher for Leather, Suede, Nubuck, Canvas – 4 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NLM8EL6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_XBJTX6YZDKSX986MMZGH

And

KevenAnna Pair of Premium Professional 2-way Wooden Shoe Trees, Wooden Shoe Stretcher for Men or Women (Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A6VM190/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_D3AVNZAW4NJ7EJ2VMB4P

I used them on my noir and desert moss and my pinky’s liked me again.

Great boots! Very distinguished looking, one can't ever say they look ordinary.

Also, the ostrich leather is very strong and soft simultaneously - a perfect combo.

I got this pair the moment I saw it on the GS site and was very happy with it. I treated the boots with some Saphir Medaille d'Or Renovator Conditioner and applied one coat of Saphir Medaille d'Or Pommadier Cream in Mahogany color (obviously, my personal taste is just mine, you can do whatever you choose) and these boots fast became my favorite.

Don’t forget to get some stuff (if you haven’t already) for the vachetta straps to keep water off of them! I suggest [Apple Care](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Brand-Repellent-Conditioner-Protector/dp/B00B6F9KXG/ref=asc_df_B00B6F9KXG/

Nearly a year in, I couldn’t be happier. It doesn’t scuff easily, and it seems to be mostly resistant to stains. I spot “clean” and polish the areas that get heavy contact - elbows and such - using a very small amount of Saphir Leather Cream

Keeping it clean is actually not too bad, I just use a tiny bit of very mild soap and a lightly damp microfiber cloth (the automotive type, they're nice and big) then dry with a microfiber.

The issue with the white magic keyboard for me has been discoloration. Over time it turns a very slight yellow color, or at least mine does (non-smoker, I keep it clean, just seems to happen over time). I use shoe whitener to bring back that really nice white luster.

This is what I use personally, works really well.

So this would actually be a tough one. Dr Martens themselves have warned on using their own Balsam on printed boots like this.

So what I'd use instead would be a lighter conditioner with no wax in it.

If I wanted to be 100% about preserving the outside, I'd actually apply this a little bit at a time (during one session of conditioning) on the inside of the boot. I wouldn't at all say that this would be easy, but it could be done.

I'd however test a little bit on the outside of the boot in an unnoticeable area to see the print will let you get away with just applying it outside from then on.

Yes, let them dry out completely and reapply. Waterproofing intervals depend on what product you're using. Personally I'm a big fan of Tarrago Nano Protector, a liberal coating of that can last months.

Apply it outside though, it really stinks when it's an aerosol.

Only 3 months? This is a bit worrying.

If they feel crunchy, and light, then it's because they are severely un-conditioned and are losing their body/softness. Leather is skin, so it'll thin out and feel more like Beef Jerky when it dries out. Most boots where I live will get like this over the course of a season if not conditioned at all. I'm on the border with Mexico in Arizona, in Nogales. So very very dry, and harsh on leather here.

What are you using to condition? If you are using Wonder Balsam, you may wish to try something with more umph, I use Saphir conditioner, and it works well here. I'd probably be generous with my application on these, and leave them covered in it overnight, before buffing them out.

Thankfully these look very salvageable, so it's not too late to save them.

i posted this already but check out this leather cream. i use it on my shoes and boots and it is awesome: https://www.amazon.com/Saphir-Medaille-Leather-Renovator-Multicolor/dp/B004ECWBZW/ref=pd\_lpo\_1?pd\_rd\_i=B004ECWBZW&psc=1

You should try this shoe stretch spray! I used it on a pair of rep Oran’s and it saved my pinky toes 😂

FootMatters Professional Boot &... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NLM8EL6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share