Boot/ Shoe Care (Products, Methods, and Suggestions)

[bubbapest]

Anyone know of any good cobblers in NYC?  My Red Wing 877's have nearly 0 sole.

[tigerpac]

^Lots of people like B. Nelson, but I haven't used them yet myself.

[Friday]

Was inspired after seeing Davito's RW being resoled by brian. Took out my rough-out Viberg and gave a TLC, cleaning the indigo transfer which might help in selling them and if not should persuade me to not selling but instead send them for a resole.

I used a Red Wing Nubuck/Suede Cleaner Made In USA. Did as instructed by rubbing of the suede bar, back and forth with added pressure especially on stubborn indigo stains. Scrubbing went on for a few minutes; 10-15 minutes and then followed by brushing it with a bristle brush to clear the residues.

All in all, imo it works fine if not great. Instruction states for deep stain, wet both suede bar and stain and then clean or dry with a rag which I didn't do.

Anyway here are the results. Pardon the pics spam.

Before

and AFTER

[jdl1279]

Nice job, rather surprised how well that came out.

[Friday]

Thanks man. I was surprised myself. Bought the RW bar many months back but not convinced it would do the job well.

[jdl1279]

You should try their recommendations on the vamp seam and shaft, betting it would help on those spots

[Seul]

Mate of mine wonders how he can protect his Chippewa service boots against salt used in his streets…

[hajduk]

To wait at the salt is gone of his streets!
I am serious
I am in Norway. Oslo. Lot of salt, sand or little stones in the streets. The salt is not so bad for the leather(sno seal and daily cleaning helps)but can damage serously the edge. Outsole stitching. Sorry with my poor english…

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tigerpac]

^Tell him to buy shell cordovan boots to fight the salt.  A quick wipe and they're all cleaned up

[GingerMagician]

Can anyone recommend me a decent cobbler in London?  The Cat's Paw heel on my IH/Viberg service boot seems to be wearing obscenely quickly on the outside back portion, so I need to get it replaced with something a little more robust.  Any pointers/tips gratefully received.

[Giles]

GM.  For just replacing the rubber, I'd think that just about any half decent cobbler could do it.  I used to use a great cobbler between Windsor and Maidenhead if you are out that way.  G

[Tripleterror]

Raw Hide, Camden.
VEB recommends them although I've had no experience.
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1247/5707.php

[GingerMagician]

Thanks guys.  Hopefully Cutlasshound is hooking me up with someone he knows after I posted on the Viberg thread.

As you say G, it doesn't look a complex job - just don't want to it botched at this early stage in the boots' life!

[Snowy]

After some serious hiking in the IHVB-03's I felt they were ready for a clean. Done in the hotel here, so just the brush in the hotel, but what a difference

before

after

[Anesthetist]

They look great! How are your feet faring?

[Bretro_]

Any recommendations out there on a product to use to seal up non-stained, natural finished heel/sole trim while still retaining the nice honey glow of natural leather (or at least for awhile till it tans from sun exposure)?

Got some Wescos coming my way soon and chose to get them unstained rather than their standard brown. Unlike Whites natural trim that is actually coted in a neutral finish of some sort, Wesco leaves the leather totally raw, and thus exposed. Maybe I'm over thinking it but I believe I am going to want to treat them a bit before tromping around in the wild. (Then again, this may all just be a byproduct of a long wait time on my boots )

Was thinking about a waxed based product like Aussie Cream or perhaps a silicon based sealant like fiebings trim kote in neuteal. Any thoughts?

[4c]

Hey Bretro!
A long wait time for a pair of nice boots has been known to addle a mans brain ;). Seriously though, maybe something like snow seal would work… Also I believe that White’s come stock treated with LP on the edge. I've been useing LP to keep my boots natural edge sealed from stains and as you can see they have darkened a lil... but it's a light patina and not a bad thing IMO.

[Bretro_]

Thx for that 4Cs. LP for me then

Btw- them BHs are looking sharp, bro!

[Snowy]

@Anesthetist:

They look great! How are your feet faring?

Averaging 4-5 miles a day wearing them without a single issue. Not a blister on the entire trip. Some of the walking's been quite technical/challenging which was testing on the legs, shoes/feet held up real well.

I'd say that after nearly a year of wear that they are approaching fully broken in.

[superfuzz]

I just ordered my first pair of horsehide (horse butt) engineers boots from Attractions Co. in Japan. What do you guys use to treat horsehide? I usually use Pecard's leather dressing on my cowhide boots.