When you have a pair of shoes that you absolutely love, you want to take care of them so they last as long as possible! The soft leather uppers are a major part of what makes our shoes so comfortable, and they call for a bit of TLC to ensure that they live their longest life.
Even if the weather is mostly dry where you live, we're all bound to get caught on a rainy day once in a while. The best way to protect your leather shoes from rain, snow, and other elements, is to apply a leather care solution. It's a good idea to treat your leather shoes at least 1-2 times per year to restore natural oils and moisture even if you're not wearing them often!
We currently carry two different brands of leather care products on our website: Nikwax and Bee Natural. Nikwax offers a Nubuck and Suede waterproofing leather care as well as a Full Grain (smooth) leather waterproofing solution. Both solutions are very effective and will help protect leather from moisture in wet conditions.
Bee Natural products are made in Vancouver, WA, and we carry their Rain & Snow and Leather Amore solutions. Rain & Snow is another option for waterproofing smooth leather shoes, while Leather Amore is intended as a leather cleaner and conditioner to bring some life back to shoes that have lost their luster.
Not sure the best way to apply leather care? Here are some tips on how to apply it as well as some extra info on how to take the best care of your beloved Softstars:
Applying Leather Care to Smooth Leather Shoes:- Remove as much excess dirt, dust, and mud as possible from the leather and seams before applying leather care to your shoes. Usually only a damp cloth is necessary for this.
- Shake the bottle of leather care solution well before use.
- Apply the leather care to the outside of the shoes with a clean cloth in small circles until the whole shoe has been treated.
- Allow solution to soak in for several hours and wipe away any excess with a clean cloth.
- Allow shoes to air-dry before wearing.
- NOTE: Leather care may darken the leather's appearance. If you want to see how the leather will look once darkened, test the leather care on a small, hidden spot of the shoe first before treating the whole thing.
We carry Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Waterproofing, which comes in a small spray bottle.
- Brush off excess dirt with a damp cloth. You can also use a Suede and Nubuck Eraser or Crepe Suede Brush to clean up dirty shoes.
- Nikwax waterproofing solutions work best on wet footwear. Pass the shoes under running water before applying leather care.
- Shake leather care well before use. Press sponge applicator to break seal.
- Apply Nikwax solution generously to wet footwear. You can spray on from a distance of 5cm.
- After product has soaked in, remove any excess with a cloth and allow shoes to dry before wearing.
- NOTE: Leather care may darken the leather's appearance. If you want to see how the leather will look once darkened, test the leather care on a small, hidden spot of the shoe first before treating the whole thing.
- You can apply conditioning leather care solutions any time your shoes are looking a bit dry or dull. We normally recommend treating them every 2-8 weeks, depending on how much they are being used. If the shoes are not being worn much, we still recommend treating them at least once or twice a year to keep the leather from becoming dry and brittle. Treating leather with leather care helps restore natural oils and moisture.
- For waterproofing leather care, we recommend treating the shoes every 2-8 weeks as well, depending on the frequency of use.
- If your shoes do get wet from rain or snow, do NOT put them in front of a heat source such as a space heater or fireplace to dry them. This can cause the leather to shrink, warp, or otherwise become damaged. It is best to let wet leather shoes air dry indoors in room temperature conditions.
- Even after applying waterproofing leather care solution, you may eventually feel some moisture soaking into the shoes if they are exposed to large amounts of water or snow. Take care to avoid large puddles to ensure your feet stay dry as long as possible.
- If you have a pair of Phoenix sheepskin boots, take extra care to apply the leather care solution to the seams of the shoe, as that is an area that can often be missed. This will help prevent leaks of moisture into the boots.
- We recommend staying away from petroleum based products as they can be bad for the leather's condition long term.
- We also do NOT recommend using mink oil to treat your shoes, as it can degrade the adhesive used to attach the soles onto the shoes for certain styles.
