(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best shoe brushes

For suede, get a spray waterproofer (I like Allen Edmonds but there's lots out there), a suede brush, and suede eraser. You can also use suede shampoo if things get really bad, but that should be pretty rare.

For plain leather shoes, you're going to want a leather conditioner (I like Lexol, personally, but Saphir Renovateur is another popular one) and a good horsehair brush. I don't think a separate leather cleaner is needed very often but Lexol also makes one if you do need it. If we're talking calfskin dress shoes you'll also want some polish. I typically use both cream and wax polish, since I find cream better for keeping color consistent but wax better for bringing out a mirror shine. Meltonian makes nice cream polishes in a very wide array of colors and I prefer Lincoln for my wax polishes. If you're trying to restore a shoe that you've gotten used that has years of built up wax on it, you might want to consider looking at Saphir Renomat to strip it off. That should only be done sparingly, though. You might also want to look at edge dressing for nice dress shoes.

I'm not sure how long these are, but the AE brushes are pretty good for $10.

I use these Star brushes. They're made in Israel and are rebranded for Kiwi, Saphir, etc.

Lexol Conditioner

Horsehair Brush - I use this specific brand. It's made in Germany and I found that after it loses it's initial hair, it doesn't lose anymore. Some brushes I've used that are made in Israel lose all their hair

Woodlore Shoe Trees - I use these specific trees, but you can get trees from Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Jos A Banks, Allen Edmonds, etc. What matters is that they're cedar and not plastic. This will help draw out the moisture and give the leather uppers a shape to dry around and to help the insole dry straight.

Nearly all cedar shoe trees are made by two companies: Rochester and Woodlore (a subsidiary of Allen Edmonds)

What's the benefit of mixed and just straight brass? If you we're curious this is the one I was looking at (Brass suede brush).

I feel like the start of the climbs need boot brushes during fall season in New England. :)

For conditioning leather:

https://www.amazon.com/Lexol-1408-Neatsfoot-Dressing-Non-Darkening/dp/B000QFQE68

Brushes:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WZUIG2M

Cedar shoes trees:

https://www.amazon.com/Ollieroo-Mens-Adjustable-Cedar-Trees/dp/B01LVUBVQE

Buffing cloths for a mirror shine:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PV0DSTO

The best brand of shoe polish:

https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Stain-Shoe-Polish-Color/dp/B00UY2KLGC

Kiwi is fine, though theirs are kinda small. I got this random two-pack on Amazon for like $12 and they're much bigger and also fine.

• Lexol Conditioner, nice and light
  
  
• Small dauber or shine cloth for applying wax or cream polish
  
  
• Standard buffing brush for buffing the polish/wax afterwards to get a good shine
  
  
• Shoe polish, either wax, or a cream polish. Do you want a mirror shine, do you want to add colour, etc
  
  Mink oil is great for waterproofing, but not ideal for conditioning.

Any horse hair brush should do. These from Hanger Project for $15 have been recommended a lot. I have these however and are ok for the price as I got them a little cheaper a while ago.

Reshoevn8r that I got off of amazon has blown my mind on how well it works on fabric and the rubber side walls on the sole.

I’m not affiliated with this. just a skeptical person.

I use a saphir one that I got for free

I think it's this Saphir Crepe Wood Brush, but have a hard time believing another crepe brush would significantly different.

Just be careful with the Flitz. It isn't as abrasive as some polishing compounds, but all polishing compounds are abrasive. If you over do it, you can still remove the razor's plating.

If you have gunk in the texture of the handle that you can't get out, try to find a brass bristled suede brush. This will get the gunk out without scratching up the plating. However, again don't be too rough because if the plating is already flaking this will scratch it off.

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Suede-and-Nubuck-Kit/dp/B002ZG8WR0

Depending on which leather you choose your waterproofing options will be a little different. If you choose the muleskinner leather you won't need any polish. I took my muleskinners and coated them with Otter Wax. Totally changes the look of the boot (I think they look better), but they are almost 100% waterproof. I wouldn't stand in 4" deep water, but in the rain and puddles water just beads right off of them.

https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-100-Horsehair-Shine-Brush/dp/B00XSYWD82/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1492631076&sr=8-12&keywords=shoe%2Bcare%2Bkit&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Saphir-Renovateur-Luxury-Leather-Care/dp/B002PLC60Y/ref=sr_1_3?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1492631127&sr=1-3&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=saphir+shoe+polish&refinements=p_89%3ASaphir+-+Made+in+France

https://www.amazon.com/Saphir-Pate-Luxe-50ml-Black/dp/B002QEZ2P6/ref=sr_1_4?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1492631117&sr=1-4&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=saphir+shoe+polish

https://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Buff-Cream-Polish-Brown/dp/B0028OW2QG/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1492631171&sr=1-1&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=kiwi+cream+polish

• Horsehair brush
  
  
• lexol or renovateur
  
  
• boot trees
  
  
• high boot inserts

Omnidaim from Saphir.

Angelus also makes some.

I use a tooth brush and the Jason Markk premium brush for the suede/rest of the upper

Get a horsehair brush:

http://amzn.com/B00CQAYK3A

You can even get one for $6 that Kiwi makes - try Walmart.


Just brush the shoes real quick after wearing.


Oh, and get some shoe trees.

http://www.amazon.com/Large-Professional-Boot-Shine-Brush/dp/B00CQAYK3A

https://www.hangerproject.com/large-horsehair-shoe-polishing-brush.html

Here are some quick links to a few of the products listed there.

Suede protector spray by Allen Edmonds (does not contain silicone.)
Suede brush by Foot Matters
Crepe rubber
Cedar shoe trees by Nordstrom

comment content: don't worry about it man youre good. those are a solid pair! so what I would advise you to do is load up your arsenal of supplies. I assume you have a horsehair brush. if you don't, here is a great brush that will last you a long time. Next, you will need saphir renovateur.

they appear to look a little dry. when you get them, i suggest you start brushing em for a good 10 minutes each (its long I know but it gets them looking great) as shell is quite oily and the brushing will bring out that shine. I would hit the shoes with a dab of saphir reno, apply evenly, wait for 5 minutes and brush away. I would re apply every 25 or so wearings. brush the hell out of em after each wearing. do this and your shells will last a lifetime

subreddit: NavyBlazer

submission title: Simple Questions - January 20, 2017

redditor: JDLII

comment permalink: https://www.reddit.com/r/NavyBlazer/comments/5p3vuc/simple_questions_january_20_2017/dcqbw5q

don't worry about it man youre good. those are a solid pair! so what I would advise you to do is load up your arsenal of supplies. I assume you have a horsehair brush. if you don't, here is a great brush that will last you a long time. Next, you will need saphir renovateur.

they appear to look a little dry. when you get them, i suggest you start brushing em for a good 10 minutes each (its long I know but it gets them looking great) as shell is quite oily and the brushing will bring out that shine. I would hit the shoes with a dab of saphir reno, apply evenly, wait for 5 minutes and brush away. I would re apply every 25 or so wearings. brush the hell out of em after each wearing. do this and your shells will last a lifetime