Advice on essential shoe care products

[yunBW]

Hi,

I started on investing quality shoes, and shoe care products are very important for shoes. However, I want to buy start with essential products and add more products later on (budget reason). I want some advice on what shoe products to get and what brands to own (I know there are a lot of thread in stylefourm on shoe care products, but I'm on vacation and the internet isn't so fast. So, it would take quite some time and data.)

My current list.
Shoe conditioner (bick's)
Shoe cream (mid brown because I have 2 mid brown shoes and 1 dark brown)
Clear shoe wax (bought saphir)
Shoe brush
Shoe application brush (or should I use old clothes? Undecided)
Suede brush (2 suede shoes)
Shoe tree

Should I buy an expensive brush or typical horse hair brush is fine (if possible please recommend some brands)? Please let me know if I should add/reduce my list?

Thank you.

 

[starro]

Hi,

I started on investing quality shoes, and shoe care products are very important for shoes. However, I want to buy start with essential products and add more products later on (budget reason). I want some advice on what shoe products to get and what brands to own (I know there are a lot of thread in stylefourm on shoe care products, but I'm on vacation and the internet isn't so fast. So, it would take quite some time and data.)

My current list.
Shoe conditioner (bick's)
Shoe cream (mid brown because I have 2 mid brown shoes and 1 dark brown)
Clear shoe wax (bought saphir)
Shoe brush
Shoe application brush (or should I use old clothes? Undecided)
Suede brush (2 suede shoes)
Shoe tree

Should I buy an expensive brush or typical horse hair brush is fine (if possible please recommend some brands)? Please let me know if I should add/reduce my list?

Thank you.

No need for "application" brush. Old socks or t-shirts are fine. Even your fingers, if you don't mind the mild staining.

Shoe brush: keep it cheap if you're starting out. There's not that much of a difference between Kiwi and a "premium" brush. Just make sure 100% horsehair. You would need one for each color if you want to avoid blending.

Shoe tree: one pair for each pair of shoes.

Besides the suede brush, do you plan on using any products on suede?

Shoe cleaner: Need. Lexol is good and budget friendly.

Shoe bags: for more permanent storage.

Shoe horn: obvious reasons.

Old rags come in handing for wiping, buffing etc.

 

[yunBW]



No need for "application" brush. Old socks or t-shirts are fine. Even your fingers, if you don't mind the mild staining.

Shoe brush: keep it cheap if you're starting out. There's not that much of a difference between Kiwi and a "premium" brush. Just make sure 100% horsehair. You would need one for each color if you want to avoid blending.

Shoe tree: one pair for each pair of shoes.

Besides the suede brush, do you plan on using any products on suede?

Shoe cleaner: Need. Lexol is good and budget friendly.

Shoe bags: for more permanent storage.

Shoe horn: obvious reasons.

Old rags come in handing for wiping, buffing etc.

All my leather shoes are nearly the same shade of brown. So, I double it would blend much.

I'm thinking to get suede easer. Really not sure what suede products to buy.

I have considered shoe cleaner in my list, but unsure why I need it. Cleaner is a gentle version of saddle soap right?

 

[starro]

All my leather shoes are nearly the same shade of brown. So, I double it would blend much.

I'm thinking to get suede easer. Really not sure what suede products to buy.

Depends on how much you value your suede. If it's worth keeping for a while, then it also needs cleaning and conditioning. And a protective layer if you want to minimize staining.

I have considered shoe cleaner in my list, but unsure why I need it. Cleaner is a gentle version of saddle soap right?

You need cleaner to clean leather that's accumulated dirt and grime. The lexol is a spray, saddle soap needs water, like regular soap. But yes Lexol is safer in general on dress shoes than saddle.

 

[yunBW]



Depends on how much you value your suede. If it's worth keeping for a while, then it also needs cleaning and conditioning. And a protective layer if you want to minimize staining.



You need cleaner to clean leather that's accumulated dirt and grime. The lexol is a spray, saddle soap needs water, like regular soap. But yes Lexol is safer in general on dress shoes than saddle.

I value my suede chukka (trickers), but some parts (side) got darker than original color. What do you advice me to get for suede products? Suede brush should be softer than normal horse hair brush right?

I will get the cleaner. Also could I make Diy spray conditioner for suede? Thanks.

 

[starro]

I value my suede chukka (trickers), but some parts (side) got darker than original color. What do you advice me to get for suede products? Suede brush should be softer than normal horse hair brush right?

When you say suede brush, i think of brass bristles, and no, they wouldn't be softer than horsehair. But as long as you brush gently, no damage done.

I will get the cleaner. Also could I make Diy spray conditioner for suede? Thanks.

I suppose so. All conditioning is getting oil into the leather. So pick a good oil, cut it down with some kind of solvent, and you could spray it on, brush, and wait for it to dry and absorb.

 

[Fred G. Unn]



I have considered shoe cleaner in my list, but unsure why I need it. Cleaner is a gentle version of saddle soap right?

Saddle soap is not for use on calfskin, and will detrimental if used over time. This has been discussed on the Shoe Care Thread:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/228153/the-official-shoe-care-thread-tutorials-photos-etc/0_30

I will get the cleaner. Also could I make Diy spray conditioner for suede? Thanks.

The best spray for suede is something like Nano Protector. Check out this video by Leffot where they spray some Aldens with it, then pour coffee over them:

 

[yunBW]



Saddle soap is not for use on calfskin, and will detrimental if used over time. This has been discussed on the Shoe Care Thread:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/228153/the-official-shoe-care-thread-tutorials-photos-etc/0_30
The best spray for suede is something like Nano Protector. Check out this video by Leffot where they spray some Aldens with it, then pour coffee over them:

I will be living in LA, so is it necessary to get a water proof spray ?

 

[starro]

I will be living in LA, so is it necessary to get a water proof spray ?

Not if current patterns hold. More seriously, alternatives to the spray include overshoes and beater shoes.

The best spray for suede is something like Nano Protector. Check out this video by Leffot where they spray some Aldens with it, then pour coffee over them:

I just want to add that if you care about your suede, want it to last a long time, then cleaning and conditioning are just as important as protective spray.

 

[GBR]

You are over-thinking this, you really do not need all this lot. Your shoes will be perfectly fine with a decent polish for the solids, a rubber suede brush plus aerosol neubuck or suede cleaner

 

[Fred G. Unn]



I just want to add that if you care about your suede, want it to last a long time, then cleaning and conditioning are just as important as protective spray.

You are over-thinking this, you really do not need all this lot. Your shoes will be perfectly fine with a decent polish for the solids, a rubber suede brush plus aerosol neubuck or suede cleaner

+1. I have 15 pairs of suede shoes, plus a pair of suede sneakers, and I also deal with all the suede care for my wife's stuff too. I have way too many shoe care products, but I've never had any need/desire for a suede conditioner. Spray 'em with Nano, then use the little eraser thingy and brush to remove stains. Keep them clean by a quick brushing before and after each wear and that's basically it for suede. Once a year in August or September I'll go through and do a little deeper cleaning with a mild detergent (like Omni'Nettoyant) and respray.

 

[yunBW]



+1. I have 15 pairs of suede shoes, plus a pair of suede sneakers, and I also deal with all the suede care for my wife's stuff too. I have way too many shoe care products, but I've never had any need/desire for a suede conditioner. Spray 'em with Nano, then use the little eraser thingy and brush to remove stains. Keep them clean by a quick brushing before and after each wear and that's basically it for suede. Once a year in August or September I'll go through and do a little deeper cleaning with a mild detergent (like Omni'Nettoyant) and respray.

Ok, I will just get brush and easer for now. Should the brush be brass or rubber. 2 comment have have different answer, but in skoaktiebolaget it shows brass. So, I assume brass

 

[Fred G. Unn]



Ok, I will just get brush and easer for now. Should the brush be brass or rubber. 2 comment have have different answer, but in skoaktiebolaget it shows brass. So, I assume brass

Brass is useful for raising the nap, but obviously you need to use it gently to avoid damage. In addition to horsehair brushes for polishing, I keep a brush on my dresser that I use for brushing dust off all shoes before and after wearing. Just keeping the dust and dirt off of suede seems to be most of the maintenance you ever need. The brass brush is useful if a particular section has gotten flattened and lifeless. I sometimes get this on the heel of my right shoe from driving.

 

[dcha]

This is all very useful information. Thank you.

 

[styleproha]

+1. I have 15 pairs of suede shoes, plus a pair of suede sneakers, and I also deal with all the suede care for my wife's stuff too. I have way too many shoe care products, but I've never had any need/desire for a suede conditioner. Spray 'em with Nano, then use the little eraser thingy and brush to remove stains. Keep them clean by a quick brushing before and after each wear and that's basically it for suede. Once a year in August or September I'll go through and do a little deeper cleaning with a mild detergent (like Omni'Nettoyant) and respray.

Is there a consensus on which one is better: Tarrago Nano or Saphir Invulner?

Or even the Allen Edmonds suede spray?