How to Care for Leather Shoes: A Complete Shoe Care Guide

General Care

A  shoehorn should always be used when putting on your shoes, helping to maintain the structure of the heel.

During the first few wears, leather-soled shoes are best used in dry conditions. The fine grit naturally collected by the sole will assist with water resistance and contribute to the overall durability.

Footwear should be allowed to rest between wears. Leather naturally absorbs moisture during use, and a period of at least 24 hours will allow the shoes to dry fully and retain their shape.

Shoe trees are essential when the shoes are not in use. Loake cedar wood shoe trees are particularly effective, helping to absorb the moisture while maintaining the form of the shoe and imparting a pleasant woody aroma.

Excessive exposure to water should be avoided. If shoes do become wet, they should be dried naturally, away from direct heat. Elevated temperatures can cause both the leather upper and sole to become brittle. Placing newspaper inside the shoe will assist in drawing out moisture.

We do not recommend adding rubber soles or top pieces to Goodyear welted footwear, as this can affect both the balance and the intended performance of the shoe. Shoes that have been modified in this way may not be suitable for our repair and refurbishment service.

Cleaning & Conditioning

Leather is a natural material so your shoes will benefit from regular application of a good quality shoe cream. This will help to moisturise the leather, keeping it supple and preventing drying or cracking.

Before applying any cream, make sure to wipe over your shoes with a dry cloth first to remove any surface dirt.

Calf leather will readily absorb the pigment in shoe cream and polishes. Neutral cream is often preferred for general care, while coloured polishes may be used to restore or enhance the finish. Care should be taken to ensure an appropriate colour match, and we advise testing on a small area of the shoe first.

Some choose to use a slightly darker polish to develop a richer, more antiqued patina over time.

Waxy leather styles are best treated with an oiled leather wax or dubbin, which will preserve their characteristic matt appearance while offering a degree of water resistance.

Loake branded shoe care products can be purchased in your nearest Loake shop or from our online store here.

Goodyear Welted Construction & Repairs

Goodyear welted shoes are designed with longevity in mind and can be repaired when necessary.

We recommend resoling at the point the outer sole shows signs of wearing through, before the damage reaches the cork or insole. Continued wear beyond this stage may result in irreparable damage to the internal structure.

Find out more about our repair and refurbishment service here.

Essential Care

• Allow shoes to rest for at least 24 hours between wears
• Use shoe trees to maintain shape and absorb moisture
• Avoid drying shoes with direct heat
• Clean leather before applying cream or polish
• Repair soles before wear reaches the insole