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[wj4]

FedEx just dropped off my Color #8 cap toe boots an hour ago. They look great. The leather feels super soft. Any advice on caring for the shoes?

 

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by wj4

FedEx just dropped off my Color #8 cap toe boots an hour ago. They look great. The leather feels super soft. Any advice on caring for the shoes?

Get a good horsehair brush - that will solve 99% of any scuffs/blemishes on the shoe.

 

[wj4]

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

Get a good horsehair brush - that will solve 99% of any scuffs/blemishes on the shoe.
Any creme or anything like that?

I already got a horsehair brush, haha. About 8-10 months ago, I stopped by a popular shoe care store, and after an hour or so I ended up spending about $70. Came out with a couple of pastes/waxes, brushes, and something else I believe...gotta go check the basket.

 

[MiniW]

buy another horsehair brush, use one for buffing shell shoes exclusively when you are not using any product, use the other one for calf or any other shoes that has wax or creme on it.

 

[wj4]

Originally Posted by MiniW

buy another horsehair brush, use one for buffing shell shoes exclusively when you are not using any product, use the other one for calf or any other shoes that has wax or creme on it.
Gotcha. I will stop by the shoe care store later today or tomorrow. Is there a special creme/wax I need to pick up for the shells? As of now, I only have mink oil and neutral wax.

 

[Trapp]

Originally Posted by wj4

Gotcha. I will stop by the shoe care store later today or tomorrow. Is there a special creme/wax I need to pick up for the shells? As of now, I only have mink oil and neutral wax.

These shoe care questions have been asked and answered ad infinitum on the forum and there are dedicated threads. Do a search under "shoe care" and you should get lots of info on everything from the set-up you need to different methods of polishing to try. See what works for you.

 

[wj4]

Originally Posted by Trapp

These shoe care questions have been asked and answered ad infinitum on the forum and there are dedicated threads. Do a search under "shoe care" and you should get lots of info on everything from the set-up you need to different methods of polishing to try. See what works for you.
Yes, I'm sure these questions have become very repetitive through out the years. I usually would search first, but at the risk of sounding like a begger, I now don't have the luxury of browsing the internet vicariously and can only leisurely browse the web minutes at a time...thus why I asked for quick answers.

Thanks though.

 

[jasonfoote303]

Originally Posted by wj4

Yes, I'm sure these questions have become very repetitive through out the years. I usually would search first, but at the risk of sounding like a begger, I now don't have the luxury of browsing the internet vicariously and can only leisurely browse the web minutes at a time...thus why I asked for quick answers.

Thanks though.

Don't do anything to shell other than brush and wipe for a few months. Then use a tiny amount of brown wax. that's it! Look up "mac method"
it really works

 

[omgitswes]

Should I get these? haven't seen them in here. Just looking for something casual enough to wear around on campus and at work

 

[jhcam8]

^ Definitely

 

[jasonfoote303]

Originally Posted by omgitswes

Should I get these? haven't seen them in here.
Just looking for something casual enough to wear around on campus and at work

I had those and ended up selling them. They are fine looks-wise but don't offer nearly as much support and comfort as a shoe with true welted construction. The soles are pretty much just glued on.

 

[omgitswes]

comfort is the main thing I wanted to know about since I have to walk everywhere.
Really like the look of them though. Anything else less than 300 I should look at?
If not I'll just try them out

 

[jasonfoote303]

Originally Posted by omgitswes

comfort is the main thing I wanted to know about since I have to walk everywhere.
Really like the look of them though. Anything else less than 300 I should look at?
If not I'll just try them out

I decided to give them up after spending a long day walking around Boston. Sorry, I can't think of any good shoes to recommend to you under $300. I'd just save up a little more and get some classic Indies

 

[wj4]

Originally Posted by jasonfoote303

Don't do anything to shell other than brush and wipe for a few months. Then use a tiny amount of brown wax. that's it! Look up "mac method" it really works
When you say brush and wipe...wipe with just a towel, I'm assuming? I finally got a few minutes to search and boy...so many different methods! I didn't realize that a complete shoe care kit can be the price of basically a pair of Aldens, haha. You suggested using brown wax? Would I be good with Alden's very own Color #8 wax? I'm debating if I should go order Alden's wax and cream for the respective colors of their shoes I currently own or not. Edit: Another question I have is this....if neutral cream is the 'safe' way of moisturizing shoes without risking the possibility of altering the color...why choose another cream color, ie black, brown, etc.? (Assuming you don't want to change the shade of the shoes yourself).

 

[kylelovesyou]

A little something I picked up from a fellow forumite. The oiled soles look so lovely, overall these look to be a really excellent casual shoe, particularly with denim.


About the shoe (from the site):


ALDEN
73034 REVERSED CHAMOIS RANGER MOC IN TOBACCO
Tobacco
NOTES:
The Ranger Moc design originated in Maine nearly 100 years ago as a light weight hand-sewn Indian moccasin. Alden of New England introduced a more substantial version in the 1950's after incorporating the company's welt construction into the design and developing a new moc toe "skin" stitch on the vamp, achieving the traditional moccasin look with the added bonus of the company's famous comfort and durability.

Our version is a direct descendant of this beloved Alden classic, except that we broke the rules and turned the dark waxy brown leather we picked inside out. With wear, you can expect the nap of its unique wax finished upper to press down at the toe and heel while it rises over the vamp and sides, evolving into a complex and heavy-on-texture rust finish as it breaks in. To top it off we finished each pair with Northwest weather-friendly double Waterloc leather outsoles to ensure their durability. We're excited to see how much you enjoy the process of getting yours worn in just right.

STYLE: Ranger Moc Blucher Oxford, LAST: Van, UPPER: premium waxed treated reversed chamois leather, OUTSOLE: extremely durable, water resistant double Waterloc outsole, INSOLE: vegetable tanned leather insoles with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod, MID-SOLE: cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support, LACING: flat waxed cotton laces through five pairs of blind eyelets, WELT: matching reverse Goodyear leather welt, LINING: fully leather lined.