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Originally Posted by
cptjeff 
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Originally Posted by
Man Of Lint 
I won't wear shell or suede in slush or heatwave weather.
Really? I drag out my dirty bucks in a lot of crappy weather, seeing as they're waterproof. I've put the poor things through the wringer quite a bit, but they're still perfectly fine-
Jeff, I specifically said slush and heatwave weather and spoke only for myself. I will expound and then address your post.
Slush, all too often, contains a high amount of salt which damages all leather. Therefore, I won't expose my suedes or better leather shoes to it.
If you choose to do so, that is perfectly fine. They are your shoes.
Suede protector does not make suede waterproof. It is absorbed by the nap of the suede, making it water resilient which is the next best thing.
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the whole suede falling apart if it touches water is a myth.
I never stated that suede falls apart if it touches water so, again, I don't know where this is coming from.

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And shell is probably the best leather you can choose for slush- pretty much impregnable.
To me, suede is year round. Shell I wear less during the summer because it keeps my feet warmer. Also, the only shell shoes I have are black, and I wear black shoes a lot less during the summer.
I would give Patent leather the nod over shell for waterproofness. Shell cordovan is indeed water resistant but only the top of those shoes are made of shell. As the soles of shoes made with shell are made like any other sole (Dainite or other synthetics excluded) they will also be prone to water and salt damage.
I am more in alignment with what NAMOR has stated about the first rains of spring. This makes sense.
Personally I don't own many shoes in suede and I baby all of my shoes to begin with.
As much as possible I will not expose my shoes to conditions where salt is or may be involved.
That said, I have no concern with wearing my suede through late spring-summer-fall and early winter. It is simply my preference.
In heatwaves, I find suede too 'heavy guage' and uncomfortable. I prefer my other shoes with thinner leathers during those periods.
I don't tell anyone what to do. These are my thoughts and preferences based on my own experiences.
Lastly, I do have one pair of nubuck longwing rubber-soled beaters (old pair of Bostonians made in Italy - great quality) that I muck around with in winter. I have ruined the nap on them altogether and regret doing this. Had I not exposed them to snow and slush, they would still be beautiful. Well that is about all I can add. Hope this clarifies.