Hey Ask Debonair,
What is the best way to preserve the life of my leather soled shoes?
One of the great positives of leather soled footwear is that the shoe itself, if cared for in the correct manner, can have a long life.
In order to achieve this correct maintenance, a good first investment would be some sturdy shoe-trees. While they do not have to be expensive, if you advance a little money in the front end, they will not only preserve the life of the shoe, but by extension will save you money in the long run. They function much in the same way a sturdy hanger functions for a suit jacket or blazer – they maintain the shape of the shoe.
Next, would be to actually use the shoe horn they provide for you with the shoes. This preserves the backs of the shoes and helps to retain the overall shoe constitution.
Alongside the maintenance of shape, is caring for the leather itself. Again, invest in a good brush (horse-hair preferably) and some good polish (kiwi is a personal favorite). Avoid drying out the leather of the shoe – that is, do not keep them near a radiator or other overly-dry areas of the house. And of course, try to keep the salt to a minimum (rain, snow etc.), as salt and leather are not a good pairing.
Finally, as for the soles of the shoes, if you are not shy – that is, if you are comfortable brashly announcing your arrival, toe taps can offer them a level of preservation.
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