Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Solid cedar shoe trees are a must!

Go to an Union Station and by a clean and a shine. They do it right and you can duplicate. Most people put polish on shoes without cleaning them 1st. Most of my dress shoes are classics and you cannot tell their age.

I also take them to Alfa Shoe Repair in Vienna when I'm in need of heels and soles. They will refinish them for me. Look like new when I get them back. Been doing that for 30 years.  They are the best I have found.

As a retired Marine, I've learned some great techniques on how to care for leather shoes (most military I think can say the same....at least older generations).  I think the suggestion that Ernie states "clean them first" is a must.  Also stripping them down too if you want to overhaul the color.  AE's are great handmade shoes and they'll last you a long time, but it's still leather in the end and they eventually will deteriorate.  One thing I've learned is to wear a different shoe every other day if possible.  It gives the shoes some time to air out and dry out any excess moisture, etc.  Sounds nasty right?  I read this article on doing that years ago and sure enough....my shoes (even my athletics) have lasted me over 6-7 years already and they look great.  Just IMHO.  ps. there is a great little shoe shop that does repairs at Fair Lakes Mall by the cheesecake factory.  I take all my shoes there for new heels or soles!

Last edited by backtofuturetoyota (Nov-26-14 12:11PM)

backtofuturetoyota wrote:

As a retired Marine

Thanks for your service!!

firemunkee wrote:

I've been letting my shoes air out for a day before sticking the shoe trees back in

I think this defeats the purpose of the cedar shoe tree. They are meant to draw the moisture into the wood (along with the salt).

firemunkee wrote:

and not repeating shoes on back to back days.

This is a must...let those shoes rest!

I'm hard on shoes and will buy a quality pair if they fit my feet.  Shoes do not last me forever since I usually split them with my E-E-E-E wide feet and high arches.  I never skimp on shoes and even when I was poor, had no problems dropping a benjie on a pair of new shoes that fit.  I'll resole dress shoes, but after a couple resoling's, it's time to replace them.

First, cleaning is a must.  And if they are really nasty dirty, after cleaning, let dry for a day.

On most leather shoes, leather jackets,gloves, etc. I'll use leather lotion or a similar product.  Cleans, conditions and 'nourishes' the shoes (whatever nourishes means).  After years, the leather's soft & supple.

On dress shoes, I'll use a quality shoe shine product like Kiwi.  Put on thick, let dry, then brush to a shine.

On outdoor shoes, like Sorels, hiking boots,  etc.  I'll use seam seal as a water proofer.  I have Sorels that are 30 years old.  Hiking boots usually wear our after 10-15 years.

Semper Fi backtofuturetoyota & thx for serving.

Thanks for sharing the wealth everyone