Winter Clothing/Underwear
In the fall I would wear whatever sweater was on sale at Goodwill.
For the colder winter months I wore a heavy Carhartt jacket and layered as necessary, normally using old/retired ARMY-issued polypropylene underwear.
I bought this around 7 years ago and it's awesome to have in cold weather.

Long Sleeve
For a long sleeve I would always wear these Hanes Cool Dri T-Shirt's in the summer. They claim 50+ UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) though I'm sure that high of a rating only applies to the black ones and it will slowly go down as you put it through the wash. I bought the safety green ones over a year ago and haven't noticed any change in sun protection so far. They were holding up too witch was impressive with my line of work at the time (railroad labor).

Pants
I started wearing whatever blue jeans I found at Goodwill but they would always end up having holes after a month or so. I used that saved money and waited to for a 25% off sale to buy a few pairs of Duluth Firehouse pants (the originals, not those quick-dry things). I've returned 1 pair so far after 2 years even though I staggered them every day. I suspect I may have over-washed them (weekly)?

Hats
I was required to wear a hard hat so I bought this sun shade that wrapped around the brim, it worked out very nicely because 50% of the work involved bending over, exposing the back of your neck to the sun.

Socks
I bought Darn Tough socks and haven't looked back since.

Boots
I went through a few brands of boots before I found the perfect pair of Chippewa's. All other boots I tried were uncomfortable in the toe area. I was restricted to certain boot requirements from the railroad: 8", defined heel, safety toe, laced. I also put on some KG's Boot Guard before I wore out the leather on the toe area, use masking tape to make it look good! As for boot care, I opted for Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP because of the water and chemical resistance. Any time I needed to clean my boots I used Dawn (yes, the dish soap). For a thorough (bi-yearly) cleaning I used Murphy Oil Soap (yes, the wood cleaner).

Lunch Box
As for a lunch box, a basic small cooler/ice chest will do the job just fine for storing hot or cold items (not both at once!). They're well insulated, cheap, and beat broken zippers, ripped cloth, or dented metal any day.

Canteen
COLD: I bought this Coleman 1 Gallon Jug about 5 years ago at Goodwill for $2 and it still looks brand new today.
HOT: This Stanley One Hand Vacuum Mug was the best money I ever spent. It's awesome for driving without spillage and relatively easy to use while wearing insulated gloves. Sadly my first one was ran over by a coworker but I quickly bought another.

Sunscreen
Find whatever works for you, but keep in mind that high SPF ratings are pretty much marketing. SPF 15 = 94% UVB protection and SPF 45 = 98% UVB protection. As far as I'm aware you cannot obtain 100% UVB protection from sunscreen.

Sunglasses
Again, find whatever feels most comfortable to you, everybody is different. I was required to wear safety glasses which means polycarbonate lenses, they are known to scratch easily. Because of that, I found a pair that could be cheap enough to replace when necessary. Yes, my company did provide them, but they were incredibly uncomfortable to wear for 8+ hours a day.

Other
Having a few bandanas will always come in handy.
If you need gloves, your leather choices are between grain and patched. Grain is much more expensive, takes some breaking into, is water resistant and very durable. Patched is pretty much the exact opposite of grain. My goto brand was Kinco.

I may add more if I can think of anything else.

EDIT 1 - Forgot a link..

Oh man, I love when people ask stuff like this on Reddit. I bootblack, and have worked on countless leather boots! Frye boots are lovely.

First off, what kind finish do your Melissa Buttons have, or did they have when you got them? For instance, looking at the current line, Antiqued/Polished can take polish, Rugged should not be polished, and Suede will have an entirely different cleaning/care routine from the other two. I'll assume it's closer to the first two for the following.

For any leather that's not suede or nubuck, the first step is cleaning. You can pick up some saddle soap (Kiwi exists in your local drug store or grocery store and is totally fine) or use just about any mild soap - I regularly use diluted Dr. Bronners. You want to create a lather and scrub that into the leather, and then wipe the boot down with a damp, not wet, rag. Be sure to get all the suds off the boot, but don't soak it either. If it's really dirty, feel free to repeat this step!

Then, I would choose a conditioner. I'd actually stay away from an animal-based oil like neatsfoot oil or mink oil, as well as less-stable oils like olive oil, since those could go rancid with too much humidity. I'm a big fan of Obenauf's, which gives good deep conditioning with just a bit of product (seriously, a little goes a long way) and has a pretty neutral scent. Frye actually sells a conditioning cream of their own, which I imagine would also be fine. Pretty much anything with a beeswax base is also good. Apply with your fingers so you can really rub it into the leather - the heat from your hands will help work it in.

Finally, if your boot is the sort that would look better with some shine, I would wait a day or two to let the conditioner soak in and then apply a bit of cream polish - this will give your boots some shine, but it won't be like, patent-leather mirror shiny, which I feel would be the wrong style for Frye boots. Kiwi also sells these, but Meltonian is my go-to. With cream polish, you apply a light coat and then buff the boot with a shoe brush in light, fast strokes. You can use your fingers to apply the polish, but it'll dye your fingertips, so either wear gloves or use a rag or a polish brush. Buff the boot until it's shiny to your liking!

Don't worry too much, it's pretty hard to ruin a good pair of boots while taking care of them. They'll definitely be happier with a bit of TLC!

At minimum, I would suggest four things: Horsehair brush (as mentioned below), a conditioner, a dauber (to apply the shining agent), and a shining agent (if you want them to shine/polish).

My recommendations on products that I've personally used (which I've used a number of things, but found these to be had at a good price/quality ratio):

1. Kiwi Horsehair brush. I have two of these, one for work and one for home. Love them both.
   
   
2. Lexol leather conditioner. Amazing stuff, I use it on belts, wallets, car seats, and definitely boots and shoes. I bought a liter, but I'm guessing the 8oz bottle will last several years. Strong recommendation for this product.
   
   
3. FootFitter dauber. I didn't use a dauber for a long time but in my opinion, it's much easier to get a consistent coating with a dauber vs an old shirt. Definitely optional on this one.
   
   
4. Saphir neutral wax. Saphir is a company highly touted on /r/GoodyearWelt and many other shoe forums/communities. I have never come across a straight out bad review of anything they make, but have only used their waxes. Much bigger fan of their wax over Kiwi and other generic waxes. It smells great, shines great, and is quite forgiving. I suggest Neutral for all colors except black, in which case I recommend black. Strong recommendation.

I'm pretty new to boots as well, but I'd suggest picking up a few things if you don't have them already. This will apply to most leather shoes/boots (doesn't really apply to suede or roughout leathers... for that you'll need a suede brush)

FYI below is basically a tl;dr of this post that got me started on all of this. I recommend you read through it all and check out /r/goodyearwelt and maybe just use this post as more as a quick reference or for ideas.

• Split toe cedar shoe tree (shoe trees can be found on sale for ~$10 sometimes, but make sure they are split toe cedar shoe trees)
  
  
• Leather cleaner & conditioner (This will work great, but some people use coconut oil as a conditioner)
  
  
• Horsehair brush
  
  
• Shoe horn
  
  Once everything is acquired you'll be ready to give your boots an initial tune-up and have some daily-care tools.
  
  

1. Brush off your boots as much as you can with the horsehair brush
   
   
2. Wipe down your boots with a wet rag
   
   
3. I'm guessing you won't get everything off, so wait for them to air dry and then use the leather cleaner on them (you probably won't have to use leather cleaner every time... and you might not want to as it dries out the boot)
   
   
4. Wait for your boots to air dry
   
   
5. Condition the leather on your boots.
   
   
6. Wait for your boots to air dry
   
   
7. Repeat whenever your boots need it. On average that will probably be every 3-6 months, but the best way to tell is by feel.
   
   Daily Care
   
   

• Use a shoe horn to put your shoes on
  
  
• When you take off your shoes give them a quick brush. Ideally you'll take off the shoelaces first but it won't kill them if you don't do this every time. I'd recommend at least brushing them off once every few wears, and brush+wipedown with water/rag every 5-10 wears.
  
  
• Always put cedar shoe trees in your leather boots/shoes when you take them off and leave them in until your next wear... this is what happens if you don't. The shoe trees will help keep your boots from developing unwanted toe spring, will help control moisture inside the boot, and will keep them smelling fresh.
  
  
• Let your boots rest/dry for 24hrs in-between wears with shoe trees in. If you wear them every day you will significantly reduce their lifespan.

That's a great find! The lack of heel might be odd if you aren't use to it, so watch for arch pain. As for the shoes, check the heel stitching and make sure it isn't loose, and that the sole is in good condition without uneven wear. A cobbler can easily fix those things. Also, check that the tongue and vamp seam isn't stretched or torn. Also, switch out the laces a thiner braid, waxed ones if you can - something slick to match the shoe.

As for care, definitely check out the "Put This On" episode that Thamonsoon recommended. Your initial clean will be cleaning the dust off with a damp cloth, get in the seams - try a toothbrush. Then wait for them to dry and give a good brushing. For continual maintenance, I'll copy my shoe care suggestions I made from another post here:

"I made another post about boat shoe care, so in that style I'll give you the basics of caring for your new shoes.

You will need a soft cloth, any jersey cotton will work, or you can buy a shoe rag, a stiff brush, cedar shoe trees and some shoe polish. This will cost you about $30 USD and last a while.

• After a day of wear: Brush any mud or debris off of them, don't forget the soles, and give them a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Put in the shoe trees so that they fit snugly, but not too tight.
  
  
• Every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on usage: Polish your shoes. To do this, start by removing the laces and cleaning the shoe of any dust or debris, if you use a damp cloth, wait for the shoes to dry before continuing. Then, take your polish brush, collect some polish from the tin on the bristles and brush your shoes until you can see a thin layer of polish on them. Once you've covered all the sides and seams, let them stand for 15 minutes or so for the polish to set.
  After they've set, buff you shoes vigorously with your polish brush until they have a lustre and you can no longer see the matte texture of polish. If you wish to "shine" your shoes, give them that reflective lustre, take your polish rag and give you shoes a once over with polish. Just enough so you can see you've covered the shoe. Then add a few drops of water to an area of the shoe an buff with the polish cloth to a mirror shine. Continue until the all the polish is buffed, adding water drops as necessary. That's all.
  
  
• When they've become considerably soiled: Make sure the shoes are dry, then clean off any dirt. Take a damp cloth and wipe the shoes down, using a brush or you finger to clean out seams and stitching. Pay attention to tongue seams, sole stitching and lace eyelets. Allow the shoes to dry completely and polish as above, however, when first adding the polish, let them sit for an hour or two for the leather to absorb the polish well, this should ease the stress of the dirt drying the leather and the water affecting the panels.
  
  As for brands, Kiwi is affordable and accesible to most people. There are other brands, so if something is easier for you to get, that's fine. If you need help with selection, just give your location and I can find some local options. As for colour, try and match the polish, but if you don't want to, you can go with neutral - it will do no harm, but your shoes may have a diminished lustre or show more patina ageing as you wear them, as it lacks any colouring. Definitely don't think an "Express" or "Rub-on" option will do the same, it won't and your shoes will suffer in the long term because of it.
  
  That's the basics for at-home care. If you have any problems with them, like a seam opening or your soles are wearing in places, don't hesitate on bringing them to a cobbler. Ask around for recommendations, or check online review sites for your area to find a one. A good cobbler can do wonders to bring your shoes back to life, or modify them for your needs. I'm not sure what brand you have purchased, but some shoe companies offer rebuilding services for shoes that are significantly worn, but can still be repaired.
  
  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask, and good luck with your new shoes!"

My favorite shoe cleaning supplies

Angelus Water and Stain Repellant, Clear


Kiwi 209-000 Suede and Nubuck Care Kit


Shacke Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner



E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive, 3.7 Fluid Ounces

Saphir Renomat 100ml

B&E LIFE 5 Pairs Practical Plastic Adjustable Length Men Shoe Tree Stretcher Boot Holder Organizers 5 Pairs Black

You could get shoe trees for much cheaper, from Ikea for example but I just wanted to link something.

Angelus Easy Cleaner 8 Oz.


These brushes are the absolute best if you know better brushes let me know


Angelus Sole Bright 4 Oz Salon care 40 works too



IRIS USA, Inc. CNL-5 Storage Box, 5 Quart, Clear, 20 Pack


Dr. Scholl's WORK Massaging Gel Advanced Insoles (Men's 8-14) // All-Day Shock Absorption and Cushioning for Hard Surfaces (Packaging May Vary), 1 Count

EB Kicks,


If you know of any better products please let me know I don't believe I missed anything

This video is stupid helpful for white sneakers

Get Jordan 1 Glitter outta your shoes

No shoe lasts forever, but here is how you can help yours try

• Avoidance: Try not to wear your shoes in the rain, wet leather soles wear several times as quickly as dry ones and are more susceptible to tears or other serious damage. Treat your shoes like you would your foot, don't kick anything or drop anything on them.
  
  
• Rotation: Wear your nice leather shoes only every second or preferably third day, this gives the leather time to dry, which will reduce wear and tear. Cost $0 Last: 10-15 years From: You
  
  
• Shoe Trees: Pulls moisture out of your shoes after they're worn. Maintains shape and keeps them smelling nice. Cost: $24.95 Lasts: 10-15 years From: Woodlore/Allen Edmonds, Jos A Bank on sale, Nordstrom
  
  
• Shoe Horn: goes behind your heel as you put your shoes on, keeps your heel from folding over the leather in the back and degrading it over time. Cost $2.50 Lasts: Lifetime From: Amazon
  
  
• Toe and heel: they're little metal plates that are nailed into the sole to keep that area from wearing. Doubles the life of the sole. Cost ~$20 Lasts: 1-2 years From: Local cobbler or shoe repairman.
  
  
• Topy: Thin rubber top coat over the toe of the shoe, lowers the wear of the leather. Cost ~$30 Lasts: 1-2 years From: Local cobbler or Shoe Repairman.
  
  
• Leathr conditioner: Every two weeks to two months depending on wear. Keeps the leather soft and happy. Cost $4.95 + Shipping Lasts: at least a year. From: Allen Edmonds
  
  
• Horsehair Brush: Keeps dirt, dust and salt off your shoes, brushing down when you get home will keep your shoes clean and happy. Cost: $6.99 Lasts: 5-6 years From: Kiwi
  
  
• Creme Polish: Helps moisturize leather, maintain colour and keep them shiny. Cost: $9.00 Lasts: At least a year From: Allen Edmonds
  
  
• Edge Dressing: Applied once every couple of months to the edge of the sole and heel, it will keep your shoes looking neat and sharp. Cost: $4-5 Lasts: 3-5 years From: Fiebings, Allen Edmonds.
  
  If you take care of your shoes and treat them well, they can last up to 15 years and still look beautiful.
  

> I have no clue how to care for roughout ; any recommendations?

I'm by no means an expert, but all of my boots are roughout, suede, or nubuck (still no smoothout, weirdly) and I've sort of winged it ("wung" it?) to some semblance of success.

I give them a through brushing with a normal horsehair brush to get rid of dirt. I use typical circular and side-to-side motion as I go. Then I sort of "tap" the bristles straight down on the leather, and sort of "flick" the brush as I lift. I do this to fluff up the nap, and undo any patterns the brush has made on its path around the boot.

That's just after a normal day or few of wear. If they're more dirty than normal, I might use a suede brush like this to go over the boot. One side has rubber bristles, and the other has a mix of synthetic and copper bristles.

I first take the rubber bristles and rub in soft circles. Because it's rubber, there's a lot of drag, and it kinda feels like I'm pressing down the nap a lot (and sometimes I wonder if it's just matting it down more than getting rid of any dirt). Then I'll very gently use the other side to "fluff" up the nap again. The copper bristles do a good job of this, but definitely can remove some of it. Like, even if you do it gently, sometimes there will be little bits of the nap left on the brush and sitting on top of the boots that I've got to brush off with the horsehair brush. I've no idea if that's normal, if I'm doing it wrong, etc. But I figured from the get-go that I'd have to be delicate when using something like copper bristles on leather. Using the copper side is definitely not a necessity, and I certainly get a little paranoid that it's being more aggressive with the leather than is necessary, so take that with a grain of salt.

If you want to add some waterproof-ness, you can try Tarrago Nano Protector. I used it after lots of recommendations from users here. My main criteria was that it wouldn't darken the leather, so Tarrago is a winner in that regard. After 20–30 mins of drying they'll repel water pretty readily, though it does wear off over time. I went really light on my applications of the Tarrago, because I didn't want to saturate the leather, but I think I could've used more for better and longer-lasting waterproof-ness.

You can find saddle soap just about anywhere - I got mine from Dollar General, but you can find it at Wal-Mart, Target, or pretty much anywhere else that sells shoes. I bought my brush from Jos A Bank, it comes in a kit with black and brown cream polish, as well as edge dressing. Note that the edge dressing is black, you wouldn't want to use it on your boots since they have a brown sole edge. If you have any dress shoes, the other accessories might come in handy - if not, you can always order just a brush from Amazon.

For the saddle soap, here's what I do: Get an old toothbrush or buy a cheapo one, and a bowl of warm water. Dip the toothbrush in the water, then brush it in the saddle soap so that a little bit sticks to the bristles. Then start scrubbing the shoe with it. It should lather up on the shoe. Once you've done a section, say, the entire toe, wipe all of the soap off of the shoe with a clean cloth or old shirt. The idea is to not let the soap dry on the shoe. Repeat until you've scrubbed the whole shoe. Make sure and scrub the welt area well, there will usually be dirt and dust jammed in there. Give the leather a few minutes to dry - you can speed this up with a hair dryer on low heat. Once they are dry, they're ready for polish.

Here's a video that explains the polishing process well, and it even happens to be on the same pair of shoes.

Buy


This cream


This polish


This brush


And


This heel dressing


Remove boot laces. Apply the cream liberally with a paper towel to all leather on each boot. Let dry 5min. Brush off GENTLY using the least amount of pressure necessary to remove the cream and add a light shine to the boot.


Next add a bit of polish to a second paper towel and apply a thing layer to each boot, again letting them dry 5min. Once again gently brush it off.


To add further shine repeat the polish step but wait 30min, ideally one hour to let the polish harden. Use a few drops of water with the polish after the first time.


Touch up the polish every 1-2 weeks, not more than 4 weeks. Rebrush the boots lightly before each shift to smooth the polish out, removes light scuffs and restore the shine. Use the cream every 1-2 months.


Use the heal dressing as needed to to rubber heals/soles to darken them. This is super important and must not be skipped.


Here is a photo of the unpolished undressed soles, versus the finished ones.

Kiwi horsehair brush this works just fine.

Yes do condition them before you wear it with any of the products mentioned. Honestly dont worry about them too much, the boots are pretty resilient. Dont overcondition though, probably no more than once a month(?) depending on how much you are wearing them. Just clean it up once every few wears with a damp warm rag and brush it out. If it gets into mud/snow then definitely clean immediately after wearing.

My first GYW pair as well, also black cherry. I picked up a Lexol Leather Care Kit that comes with leather cleaner and conditioner. I wore them a few times and then cleaned and conditioned them according to the kit instructions. After each wear I brush them down with a horse hair brush and when I'm not wearing them I put in shoe trees.

I clean/condition them after about 5-6 weeks, unless I get them really muddy or something. There are surely others on this sub with better knowledge of leather care, but this routine has been working fine for me so far. Most will recommend giving them 24 hours to rest after wearing, but, y'know, they're boots.

I've found that most conditioners and saddle soaps (if you used any) get the leather too tacky to bring up a really high shine so I avoid them and just use water, wax, a brush and an old piece of pantyhose.

My steps are:

1. Use a damp, clean sponge to remove surface dust and dirt. Rinse out the sponge as needed so you're not using grimy water to clean your boots.
   
   
2. Allow boots to air dry or use a dry rag to speed along the process. Apply a small amount of black shoe polish wax (brown if your boots are brown) to a rag and apply to boots in a small, circular motion. Just a very thin coat--it's better to repeat this step after one full polishing cycle than to apply too thick a layer of wax.
   
   
3. Use a shoe polishing brush (Something like this guy) in a back-and-forth pattern to bring up a shine. Here's where elbow grease pays off. The more you brush, the higher the sheen you pull up.
   
   
4. Use a piece of cheap panty hose ($2 drug store brand or one that had a run in it that you were going to discard) and vigorously buff the leather like you would curry a horse. This brings out the highest shine but only once you've used the brush to finely distribute the wax into the grain of the leather.
   
   If you're not satisfied with the shine the first time around, repeat steps 2 through 4 in order.
   
   If at any point your boots feel waxy or tacky, you've used too much product. The wax should feel slippery and smooth and it provides a certain amount of water resistance to your boots as well.
   
   Never ever ever wax the inside of your boot where it makes contact with the saddle or it will squeak to high heaven!
   
   

I've been lurking for a while but finally made an account to ask this:

I decided to go with Red Wing Beckmans (9023) as my first high-quality footwear purchase. I also purchased a Kiwi 100% Horsehair Shine Brush, a Lexol 907 Leather Care Kit, and Woodlore Adjustable Men's Shoe Tree (Cedar).

My first question is: how should the shoe trees fit into my Beckmans? I went to a Red Wing store and got sized. They said I have wide feet and recommended I get 8.5 (I usually wear 8.5s in regular footwear like Van's and Nike). I purchased the 8.5 Beckmans and I've worn them about 8 times now. Out of paranoia, I double checked with the Red Wing store to see if the boots were creasing properly (as I have a lot of toe space and was worried that it might be too big). They assured me that It was fine. I ordered size medium (8-9.5 size) and They arrived yesterday. I inserted them into the boots but noticed that it was pretty difficult to get them in there and the heel of the shoe tree scratches against the heel of the boot when inserting. I notice if I wiggle the front of the shoe trees in a bit more before inserting the heel, it doesn't scratch the heel of the boot. I apologize if the picture quality is poor , I only have my phone at this time. Is this okay for my Beckmans? Or should I return these for a different shoe trees? I'm worried about them being stretched improperly. If I should get different ones, can someone direct me to a specific shoe tree? Here are some pictures of my 9023s with the shoe trees.

My second question is, do I need any other care products than the ones I listed above? My care regime currently will be to brush after each use, shoe trees for a minimum of 1 day before next wear, Lexol clean and condition once a month and/or after they get really dirty.

Care about your leather the proper way.

There quite a few youtube tutorials about that.

You will need to gather a kit of 3-4 different chemicals (cleaner, softener, cream, wax), two brushes (soft and hard) and some sponges. Then clean your leather every or every other month. Make sure to give enough time between every stage of the cleaning (i.e. apply cleaning solution, buff in, wait 15 mins, buff out).
Should take about 45 minutes once you get a hold of it. You can do like 3 pairs in these 45 mins.

Or take to shoe repair store and and ask 'em to do a deep cleaning on 'em.

Here is the kit I bought on Amazon for this purpose (hope it is OK to post product links here - I get no kickback from these):

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NVK34T0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002A92UZC/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002J8379C/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZGQ4HKW/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KGG7QQY/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J7RL0ZQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CSVPP23/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CSYPC3X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MS1IDIA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For my brown leather shoes, I use this to apply this. And then I hit it with this. There's a lot of different ways to go about it though. Put This On had an episode dedicated to shoes and they demonstrate how to polish your shoes in the film. I highly recommend checking it out (along with their other videos - very good stuff). Good luck.

You're over thinking this

You need a horsehair brush like this:

http://imgur.com/a/U4b9G

My preference is the larger one, but you could get the size smaller.

I'm assuming you aren't going to be polishing your Red Wings or Wolverines as they're pretty casual with casual leather. Pick up some Lexol Conditioner or Bick4 for light conditioning so you don't alter the color of your boots

https://www.amazon.com/FootFitter-Brush-Diplomat-Exclusive-Grey-Brown/dp/B000Q7PGZG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1478462702&sr=8-2&keywords=footfitter+brush

That is the brush I personally use

Also pick up some Saphir Renovateur or Venetian Shoe Cream if you want to give your Wolverine 1000 Mile chromexcel a nice glow

Very nice. When the headliner was crapping out in one of my M3s I re-did it using micro-suede, end result was worth the effort. It has held up well and cleans nicely with just a damp cloth. These things work great for getting lint and other stuff off of it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UQQ910/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You don't necessarily have to slide all the way from the dots to the foul line, but fronm a fellow ex-planter here is some advice:

• First off, it doesn't look like you're using house shoes, so make sure and take care of your shoes. Invest in a wire brush to keep up the slide sole example
  
• Make sure you can slide at all - standing on the approach, try to slide with your left foot. Keep your weight more towards the toes. If you can't slide this way, your sole may be dirty or the center may have really tacky approaches. In that case...
  
• Try a slide sock (I can't tell a difference between brands, I've used these, Storm and Ebonite).
  
• Once you're comfortable sliding, try some One-step drills without the ball, then with the ball.
  
• And, finally, once you get comfortable with doing that, keeping balance, try an entire (slow) approach to work it in.
  
  I don't think you have a "slow" approach, necessarily, but you do seem to take a big pause between 3rd and 4th step to let your body catch up since your pushaway isn't happening in sync with your second step. In fact, one drill my coach had me do at my first lesson (which felt like a real waste of money) was to step left, then hinge the ball down in along with my second step several times in a row.
  
  Once you can burn that into muscle memory, you won't have to think about it anymore.
  
  Anyway, TL:DR - keep your weight forward (torso bent forward over knee, weight (mostly) on left toes and try and keep the knee bent to get into a slide.
  
  (/u/akimbojimbo229)

Guys, this stuff is amazing. I originally bought it for shoes but it’s money on 99% of stains. Smells great. Hasn’t ruined anything yet. AND it has saved my favorite titleist hat many times this summer Amazon Link

Very Important:

• Horsehair Brush
  
• Some sort of cleaner (Lexol)
  
• Some sort of conditioner (Lexol, Bick4)
  
  Optional:
  
  
• Buffing Rag - could also just use old socks or cotton shirts. Make sure whatever you use is 100% cotton since nylon can scratch
  
• Pigmented Cream Polish - Can be used to recolor damaged spots and build a patina. WILL DARKEN YOUR SHOES.
  
• Cuir Gras - My preferred conditioner for greasy leather (like CXL). Not necessary unless you want to spend the extra money over Lexol.
  
  Be sure to review the Leather Care section in the wiki to get a good overview of products and care techniques.

Uhm... I have some boots that use CFStead suede, those are hard wearing so I was fine with walking in the rain. I doubt the Adidas can do the same. I would avoid rainy days for sure, but light shower probably ok. Aside from that, if you have a suede brush to clean debris, it would be better. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Shacke-Suede-Nubuck-Leather-Cleaner/dp/B00IIFFEPU

the stuff in the guides on /r/goodyearwelt was very helpful for me. after reading the stuff there, i bought some venetian cream and a horsehair brush. along with some soft cloths, i can do a pretty good leather care job.

i think the biggest things to note are: don't wear the same pair two days in a row, to give them time to dry out. condition when necessary. use boot trees if you can.

I'm trying to take better care of my leather, so I'm planning on getting some of the stuff from the basics thread. Is there a particular one of the leather conditioners recommended there that's usually the best?

I mostly just go to and from work in nyc, maybe a park or something but nothing crazy so the lighter products are probably preferable, right?

For a brush, is something like this what I'm looking for?

unrelated, but related, what is the general consensus on brushes like this?

I got one because I noticed a liquid mark on my pair after my company party. Brushed at it which helped, but seemed to have made the perfectly uniform flesh/suede side a little more variable. Nothing crazy, just wondering now if the brass bristles are too harsh on suede, or if I should have waited longer before brushing at it.

Prep your boots:

Knock back the finish a bit with some diluted dish soap and a scrub brush. Set them aside to dry.

Apply some Sno-Seal liberally with rag or brush. Allow to set. For the first coat, I like to hit it with a hairdryer to let it get into the leather's pores and all the nooks and crannies where boot meets sole.

Apply a second coat of Sno-Seal and wipe off the excess with a rag.

Now get an applicator brush, a polish brush and a wax matching the color of your boots. Kiwi is a good brand, I've been using it for years.

Swirl your applicator brush around in the tin of wax and then apply it to your boots in a vigorous circular pattern. Pay attention to the areas around the crevices (such as in the instep). Let it set for a few minutes and then brush it down with the polishing brush in a vigorous back-and forth motion. Do NOT rub hard with the polishing brush - you're trying to bring it to a shine / gloss, not rub it off.

With the base coat of Sno-Seal and a good layer of wax over it you should be good for all winter. Wipe off any dirt / snow / mud before storing them in the spring, then repeat the process above in the fall.

Source: Army veteran, live in the Pacific Northwest. Many of my boots are over a decade old or more.

EDIT

For anyone following along, I reconditioned my 16-year old Vasque Sundowner boots this morning as they needed it. Questions welcomed.

What a pleasant surprise. :-)

FWIW, I can't take anything away from Saddleback. Their products lived up to their description. My only customer service experience was minor and painless. Plus, I felt like I learned more about what I was buying due to site content and videos.

For shoe brushes I happen to like the Star Professional horsehair shine brush. The big 9" one is especially nice but the 6.75" is my go-to handy shine brush for leather projects. I'm not affiliated with whoever sells the brushes at the amazon link.

Leather is essentially dead skin. Like skin, it needs to be kept somewhat moist to prevent becoming brittle and cracking, but unlike living skin, it no longer receives nourishment, hence the whole point of doing this.

Keep in mind, "Less is more". Always aim for enough to cover the leather, but not enough to saturate it. Your boots will darken slightly, just like anything that acquires moisture.

If you don't follow any routine? Boots may last you a few years, maybe more, maybe less.
If you do follow a routine. Boots may last a few decades, maybe more, maybe less. They may outlast you!

• Brush: https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100-Horsehair-Shine-Brush/dp/B0010TR6NE
  
  
  
• Applicator Brush: https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Horsehair-Polish-Applicator-191-100/dp/B001ECZOKY
  
  
  
• Leather Cleaner (Haven't used this yet, but I've heard its fantastic. I've been using kiwi saddle soap). https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Cleaner-Honey-Accessories-Concentrated/dp/B00HU6N3LK
  
  
  *Leather Conditioner: https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Conditioning-Oil-2-5-74g/dp/B00N9CHI2O
  
  
  You can find everything you need at most department stores, but this should give you an idea of what the tools look like.

Posted this on the after dark thread but the more input the better:

"I Purchased Chamois Vibergs for a deal (imo) on ebay. Anything special I need to know about chamois? I picked up a brush but do I only use the rubber bristles? Waterproofing or protection? Any pointers would be appreciated."

Ooph, good purchase! Hopefully you were able to try some on before ordering. I had to buy about a full size down from my usual shoe size. And in case you missed my other comment/haven't considered what/how to care for them here's this copy/pasta: At the suggestion of multiple reddit users, I use this cleaner/conditioner and this brush, which have worked well enough for me.

I would see the leather care guide for specifics or if you want to polish them.

Generally, a horsehair shoe brush like this one and some conditioner like a bick 4 or whatever saphir product suits the leather on your shoes should be fine. Just remember to condition sparingly (once every 3-4 months tops).

cool, I actually just googled suede brush and it seems like it'd be good to have if I get suede boots too. is something cheap like this a good option? http://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Suede-Bar-And-Brush/dp/B000PD5ESU

It looks like I can get the 8 oz bottle for 17.99 on amazon and then I could get a brush such as this one....

http://www.amazon.com/Shacke-Suede-Nubuck-Leather-Cleaner/dp/B00IIFFEPU/ref=pd_sim_309_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Gcr1ShzwL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0R2FYTGK2H8B7XN9PBY2

Or should I just stick with the kit that comes with a 4 oz bottle and a brush of its own? And a box of Mr clean magic eraser, because apparently that is also a good shoe thing to have.

Eu folosesc Kiwi 100% Horsehair Shine Brush.

Nu știu dacă e cea mai bună, dar asta folosesc eu și sunt mulțumit. A, da, și mă interesează foarte mult încălțămintea de calitate și am grijă de ea deci nu-s doar un noob care nu știe ce recomandă. Peria asta își face treaba și e ieftină.

Și dacă tot veni vorba, pentru bocanci recomand Fiebing's Yellow Saddle Soap și pentru bocanci negri recomand Obenauf's LP Boot Preservative și/sau Obenauf's Leather Oil.

Săpun doar pentru bocanci, nu pantofi, și Obenauf's stuff doar pentru piele neagră, o să schimbe culoarea altfel. Pentru pantofi sau bocanci la care nu vrei să se schimbe culoarea recomand refined coconut oil.

De evitat orice fel de cremă colorată. Aia e moartea pielii.

Here but it'll keep happening if you're wearing raw denim. So It'd probably be best for me to have 'em.

For suede, the first and the safest step is always dry brushing, a brush like this. Don't use any detergent or stain remover, just lightly dry brush on the spot, I have 3 pairs of suede shoes and this method works well for cleaning dry stain/ dust/ lint.

Just to be clear, this is a horsehair brush. On the other hand, this is a horse hairbrush. You want the former, not the latter.

So should I use mink oil, or not? Is it for something completely different?

So far, it looks like I'm getting this, this, and this. Should I get a shoe conditioner like this, too?

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

reshoevn8r kit

---

Never forget to smile again | ^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

This this this. Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner and Brush. Love this kit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IJ6GS0/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_DTv8AbS194Q55

Seude cleaner, works great.

I would really recommend http://amzn.com/B000PD5ESU, it comes with what is basically a big rubber eraser that takes off all the dirt off my shoes (especially that white part by the soles). Love it.

What's it look like? If it's actually stained, a cobbler probably wouldn't be able to do much, but if it's just spots, the nap's probably just worn down and you can probably get it out with something like this. Otherwise, unless it's really really bad, don't sweat it. Bucks don't need to be perfect to look good.

Oh, definitely don't need formal shoes. All you might want is a leather conditioner like Lexol or Bick 4 and a brush. Might wanna eventually pick up a pair of shoes that are good/comfortable for being on your feet all day at work (which you might have already).

Cool, I bought this and this, based on your and /u/micrafone_assassin's recommendations. Hopefully these will make the shoes an investment instead of just a splurge

Thank you so much! Is something like this what I should use?

just buy suede brush like this to clean if You go with alcantara

Pro Tip: Invest in a Horse Hair Brush. I use it on my Raptor 7's and it cleans the nubuck on it like magic. Made the the upper look practically brand new.

Here's a link if you're interested. http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100-Horsehair-Shine-Brush/dp/B0010TR6NE/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2OWTFZVIG7K1P

Is this the brush I want for my Iron Rangers? I picked them up about a month ago, and I think they can use a light cleaning. While we're on the topic, how often should I brush them? Just as needed?

​

Thanks!

This is what I use - works great, and it's cheap. LINK

This works great on NMDs. reshoeven8r

I need to take care of my new iron ranger boots.

I bought https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A8WWNSM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

& https://www.amazon.com/Red-Wing-Heritage-Brush-Brown/dp/B00BB3PLHM/ref=pd_sim_309_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00BB3PLHM&pd_rd_r=992512a3-c261-11e8-a3f5-a953cb310f5f&pd_rd_w=QAyc5&pd_rd_wg=zWKXd&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=18bb0b78-4200-49b9-ac91-f141d61a1780&pf_rd_r=HS7X2KW8J567ZVBQHZWW&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=HS7X2KW8J567ZVBQHZWW

Anything else needed?

I clean my sneakers with this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D12KGVW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Works for me. Careful with the brush on fabrics, might want to use another brush for a softer shoe/fabric.

If you still have those suede boots, you should consider getting a suede cleaner kit, if you haven't already.

As for boots you can wear during the Winter, I would suggest these Chippewa boots, although they are a bit clunky, but I like them. Sign up for Amazon's shoe mail list for 20% off, and that should bring these boots to just about $100.

Edit: As /u/TripleVision suggested, if the weather is pretty bad during the Winter, Bean Boots might be the way to go and are currently $99 on the LL Bean website.

Let's use a pair of walnut Allen Edmonds.

I recommend:

1. Saphir Wax Polish in any color
   
   
2. Saphir Renovator
   
   
3. Heel & Sole Dressing
   
   
4. Full-Toe Cedar Shoe Trees
   
   
5. Horse Hair Brush

Something like this would be fine.

Polish on a work boot mainly boils down to aesthetics. A lot of Japanese dudes seem to do a glossy mirror shine on their redwings.

Don't make it too complicated.

1. Take a brush to get rid of most of the dirt on them.
   
2. Take a wet rag and rub the boots down (this should get rid of the paint stains, if not be more abrasive with the rag)
   
3. (Optional, but suggested) Apply some sort of leather conditioner / protector (ex.Mink Oil Or Obenhaufs Leather Protector)
   
4. Use a Mr.Clean Magic Eraser (or similar) to clean the wedge sole.
   
   Some of the deeper scuffs may not go away completely, but they add character to the boot.

Saphir Reno mat or Jason Markk to clean Common Projects? Also, is it necessary to use a leather conditioner to maintain white leather shoes?

I've had good luck cleaning indigo bleeding off suede in the early stages with a really basic kit.

The only problem with that is that it's something you'll probably have to do every week. I cleaned a pair of sand suede Chippewa boots I've been meaning to sell that have about 5 wears.

No problem! The suede brush I initially purchased was this and it has seemed to work quite well. It's also relatively inexpensive.

I've also used this kit and found it works well.

The first link is more of an all around brush and might work better for your uses.

Get yourself a horse hair shoe shine brush (boar hair beard and mustache brushes work in a pinch) and brush the dried wax out of the crevices.

)

Ahh interesting! I've used KG's Boot Guard many times and I think we are talking about different products or perhaps they have many with the same, close name.

Is this for yourself or a gift?

If it's for yourself, I personally just bought Kiwi horsehair shoe and applicator brushes. They were ~$5 CAD each... they sell them at most grocery stores and pharmacies in Canada. I can't see the horsehair brushes made by AE or another shoemaker being worth 3 or 4 times as much. I could be missing something regarding their quality that justifies that price though.

Woodlore is a good brand for its price. http://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Suede-Bar-And-Brush/dp/B000PD5ESU

This is what I highly recommend starting with

I used this: http://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Suede-Bar-Brush/dp/B000PD5ESU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302293067&sr=8-1

It worked pretty well but I have nothing to compare it to.

What you want is a suede eraser and suede brush. Rub it with the eraser, then the brush. Repeat as needed. It might not get it absolutely perfect but it'll make a big difference.

First, get a pair of cedar shoe trees to keep in the boot (you don't have to insert it all the way if you don't want)
Next, buy a horse hair shoe brush. After you wear your shoes, brush them down. If there is some stubborn dirt/grime, you can wipe them down with a damp rag, let them dry, then brush them.
Every few months, depending on how often you wear them, give them a good cleaning with Lexol cleaner, then condition them with Lexol conditioner. Let the conditioner dry, then brush vigorously.
That is literally all you need to do. No Obenaufs, no oils, nothing fancy.

Shopping list:
http://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/Product_11001_10050_101593 (these go on sale pretty frequently for $8-$12)

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100%25-Horsehair-Shine-Brush/dp/B0010TR6NE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1408110167&sr=8-5&keywords=shoe+brush

http://www.amazon.com/Lexol-907-Leather-Care-Kit/dp/B005H7DRQA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408110196&sr=8-1&keywords=lexol

I have THIS cheap one from Amazon and it works fine.

There are a lot of shoe cleaning kits on the market you can use, I recommend this one

a wire brush, like this.

I bought this one awhile back, it's smaller than the pictures make it seem and I haven't really used it yet as my boots haven't needed it yet, but they all look about the same. I searched around gyw but didn't really see any solid recommendations on one over another so I went with that one.

Here's a cheap suede eraser & bristle brush kit.

And if you're curious, the shoes are Red Wing 8105 Work Oxfords.

No! The conditioner and Mink Oil included in the Basic Care are not made for the smooth leather of Beckmans. Here's what you need:

1. horsehair brush
   
2. Lexol conditioner
   
3. Burgundy shoe cream to touch up scuffs; I use Meltonian
   
4. Rags for cleaning, applying conditioner and shoe cream, and polishing
   

I have no experience with it, but I have heard you can take the boots somewhere to have the toes dipped for pretty cheap.

A diy alternative I found (again no experience)
https://www.amazon.com/Kgs-Boot-Guard-Brush-Protection/dp/B00XYC36AC

Another thread I found:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/2whpqa/protect_steel_toe_work_boots_from_wearing_through/

Should I buy a brass bristle suede brush or is this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IIFFEPU/ref=ya_st_dp_summary adequate?

For the prime knit I would just use a sneaker shoe cleaner you can find on Amazon.

bickmore suede cleaner
+
cleaning kit

Follow instructions.

Is this one good? https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100%25-Horsehair-Shine-Brush/dp/B0010TR6NE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468455546&sr=8-1&keywords=kiwi+shine+brush

Thanis I'll grab a Kiwi. Do I need the polish dauber brush too *has a handle with round section of horsehair for applying polish), or just the long brush?

Try this out

This is what I used on my friend's car seats that haven't been cleaned for a few years.

cleaner

brush

Both purchased at Walmart for about $15.

results

amazon

[Jason Mark] (https://www.amazon.com/Jason-Markk-Premium-Cleaner-Solution/dp/B00D12KGVW/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1501172066&sr=1-1&nodeID=9616100011&psd=1&keywords=jason+markk)

this stuff works wonders

I have this cheap suede brush/eraser kit. Nothing fancy, but it does a decent job cleaning up suede shoes and jackets.

https://www.amazon.com/Sof-Sole-Suede-Nubuck-Cleaning/dp/B003IJ6GS0/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1R6TIKCYEUEKW&keywords=suede+brush&qid=1567443360&s=gateway&sprefix=suede%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-5

Suede Eraser

I don't know what's up with the two websites, but as a copper river bag owner let me give you two pieces of advice. 1. order the leather strap. It is expensive but it really makes the bag. 2. Order some Saddle Soap and wash the bag using a horse hair brush. They ship the bag with extra dye and oil on it and it will rub off on your clothes if you don't wash it before use.

Jason Markk via Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100%25-Horsehair-Shine-Brush/dp/B0010TR6NE/ref=sr_1_3?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1368585467&sr=1-3

And maybe a box to store it all in, so when someone tells you to "get your fucking shinebox" you can go get your fucking shinebox.

Jason Mark Essential kit: $16.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D12KGVW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Brush Set- $5.89
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V4EG6D6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Angelus Paint: $8.49
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HQ53QA8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IJ6GS0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use the reshoevn8r kit on all my sneakers. It comes with 3 brushes (soft, medium, hard) so you can clean multiple types of material. I use the soft on suede/primeknit/mesh/laces, medium on the outsole, and hard on the sole. Although, I rarely clean the sole because it's just going to get dirty again anyway.

Someone stepped on my light suede air forces and I bought this (Shacke Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IIFFEPU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-dq4Bb7NCQ61R ) suede brush to brush away the dirt.

After brushing gently, I am left with a horrible blue stain on my shoes... anyone know how to fix this?? I’m so heartbroken.

Just wanted to add my humble advice on the jean stains. I had horrible ones from dark jeans on my tan leather. Using Lexol Leather Cleaner and a Kiwi Horse Hair Brush with a tiny bit of water completely removed the stains for me. I follow up with Lexol Leather Conditioner.