edge dressing for tan winter boots

[Dewey]

The winter snow & slush whitens the edges on my shoes.

Looking for light brown edge dressing for a new pair of tan scotch country grain winter boots, I find "natural" from AE. Link

Should I use this for purty heels which show the layered leather -- such as the heels on these Alden Cigar U-Tips -- or do I need a light brown edge dressing? I am afraid that a dark brown will not look right.

 

[emmanuel]

Louis vuitton makes rubber soles to strap onto your shoes to help you grip slippery surfaces. The rubber covers the tops of your shoes around the edges so the snow wont get to the leather. For something like that, they dont look all that bad.

 

[bigbris1]

I picked up a pair of Tingley's overshoes & they have already paid for themselves so far this winter. The good part is your soles/uppers don't get wet, salt-stained & discolored & they fold up & fit in your case or coat pocket in a pinch.

 

[Dewey]

I have the overshoes, but I enjoy wearing the boots without them. All I want to do is dye the heel and sole edges back toward where they looked new. I think dark brown will be too dark. I wonder if natural is the way to go, or if I should seek out some kind of tan or light brown. Or maybe it doesn't matter. I dunno, that's why I ask

 

[ChriO]

Don't risk it if you like the way the edges are looking now. Edge dressing is made to cover up all the scuffs and scratches that a sole has to endure - and it is good at doing that.
I have a dark brown edge dressing and I am sure that it would cover up the nuances of your shoes' soles.

I would get the neutral version first. Even a light brown edge dressing could cover up more than you like. If you are not happy with the result of the neutral version you can still get the light brown (it is out there, but I only have a German source) and experiment with it carefully.

 

[bengal-stripe]

Just use leather fat or 'Dubbin'.

 

[Nick V.]

It's better to remove the salt stain first. You can use "salt and stain remover" (found in a shoe repair shop). If you can't find it a solution of 1/2 white vinegar, 1/2 water usually works. Take a soft tooth brush and brush the sole edges and heel bases with either solution. Let dry and repeat if necessary. Then apply your desired color sole and edge dressing.

 

[Kingstonian]

Edge dressing must be an American thing. I have never seen the product in the UK. We just apply polish round the edge.

Galoshes is another US thing. On the rare occasions weather is that bad, Brits would have a change of shoes if heading for work - or wear stout weatherproof footwear in the first place.

 

[Dewey]

Salt stain is a new idea to me -- maybe that's what I have. Can salt stain a shoe quickly, or does it have to sit on the sole edge for some time?

I was seeing the loss of color as the result of exposure to water and wear. Every morning, within ten minutes of arriving at work, I wipe down the boots with first a damp, and then with a dry towel, taking care to remove all the sidewalk slush from the sole edges and uppers.

I will try polish on the sole edges; I have a good supply of browns. Not sure why I did not think of that first