Bought some AE's - Now What

[BBdude]

Just purchased my first pair of AE's. Got them from Nordstrom Rack for $90!

Anyway - most of my shoes the leather on the upper cracks (not very bad, but when you run your finger across it or when they haven't been cleaned you can definitely feel/see the difference) where my foot bends. The last pair I bought (bostonian) I used lexol cleaner/conditioner along with kiwi wax before I wore them. Then I reapplied lexol/kiwi as I felt appropriate based on how the shoe looked.

Am I doing something wrong? Perhaps I need to condition the leather more when the shoes are new?

Edit: Thought it was important to note I own a pair where this did not happen, despite treating the shoe the same. Perhaps the shoe that developed small cracks is a harder leather?

 

[Dewey]

the AE should have better quality leather. i doubt it will crack the way you describe on the previous pairs.

for good measure get the AE leather conditioner and use it from time to time when you clean. also maybe use cream polish (meltonian, saphir) if you need to replenish color. cream polish is full of conditioner. a little wax will help too.

 

[southbound35]

In addition to all the conditioners and polishes and such, do you use shoe trees?

 

[JLibourel]

I also think A-E's Premium Shoe Polish is easier on shoes than wax polishes. Nordstrom sells the same polish under the Synovia brand name. I am pretty sure it is a German polish called Collonil or Collomil or something like that.

 

[sho'nuff]

your aes will not crack even without creams or conditioners. bostonians crack because the leather is a cheaper leather or a corrected grain.

 

[BBdude]

Originally Posted by southbound35

In addition to all the conditioners and polishes and such, do you use shoe trees?

Always.

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

your aes will not crack even without creams or conditioners. bostonians crack because the leather is a cheaper leather or a corrected grain.

I suspected such. Some of my Bostonians have done me, but the harder (stiffer?) leather always seems to crack a bit no matter how much I love them

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Leather cracking is mostly due to the quality of the leather, but using properly fitting shoe trees and good quality conditioner and polishing products definitely help. I would use Angelus, or Saphir products, they are all natural and don't contain silicones, which can dry out leather. Lexol is good, but honestly I think Renovateur by Saphir is better. Also, just simply brushing your shoes before you wear them gets dust particles from settling in the creases, which can cause slow subtle wear as you walk. Also, never wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. The leather needs time to naturally dry out and settle between wears.

 

[RLP]

i highly doubt it will crank

 

[Raoul Duke]

My AEs have been my only shoes to crack. My EG and Alden have not.

 

[DerekS]

Id never use kiwi wax...awful stuff. the high alcohol content can really dry out the leather...Id switch from Kiwi to Lincoln....a better polish...and of course shoe trees.

 

[JLibourel]

Edward Green uses Kiwi wax for the final finishing of their shoes. It can't be that bad, now can it?

 

[Raoul Duke]

I use kiwi on all my shoes. No issues except the AEs.

 

[DerekS]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

Edward Green uses Kiwi wax for the final finishing of their shoes. It can't be that bad, now can it?

serious?! id NEVER use it on any of my shoes. Waaaay too much alcohol. not saying i know more than the folks at EG about shoes, but I wont use it.

 

[sho'nuff]

i use alcohol sometimes to finish off a glossy wax shine. you worry too much about your shoes. kiwi is absolutely fine for shoes.

 

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by BBdude

Just purchased my first pair of AE's. Got them from Nordstrom Rack for $90!

may i ask what model? what city was the nordstrom rack located in?