Most shoes are made of calf or kid leather which needs regular care to make sure the shoes keep looking their best. Leather is a skin after all and like all skin, needs protecting and conditioning regularly. So if you love your shoes, create a regular shoe upkeep routine. Most cobblers will be able to recommend good shoe care products for you. For a list of recommended cobblers please look at our guide.
Normal calf leather or kid leather will not be naturally waterproof, so protect it immediately with a good quality waterproofing spray protector. This will prevent water seeping into the leather and causing it to discolour or lose its texture.
To revitalise the leather, first you need to clean it. This can be done with a slightly damp cloth to remove any unsightly dirt marks.
Next, apply a neutral conditioning cream liberally with a soft cloth especially around the toe and sides of the shoe where the leather is under the most stress. The cream will penetrate the leather and can cover any light scratches. The leather will then be moisturised and become softer. Much nicer for your feet!
Finally spray again with a waterproofing spray. Perfect!