Is there a "first thing to do" with new shoes?

[Cayne-Abel]

I just got my first decent pair of shoes (the Allen Edmonds Van Ness). I have a pair of shoe trees and some kiwi polish and some shoe cream. I seem to be missing a conditioner.

Should I do anything with the shoes prior to wearing them for their first full day? Or are they ready to go?

P.S.: I've seen plenty of threads on shoe care, and some offer widely differing opinions. Can anyone point me to a definitive guide?

 

[voxsartoria]

Wear them. Have them shined. Wear them a few more times. Have them shined again, And so on.


- B

 

[MarquisMagic]

Originally Posted by Cayne-Abel

I just got my first decent pair of shoes (the Allen Edmonds Van Ness). I have a pair of shoe trees and some kiwi polish and some shoe cream. I seem to be missing a conditioner.

Should I do anything with the shoes prior to wearing them for their first full day? Or are they ready to go?

I would suggest that for the first outing or two you only wear them for a few hours...not a full day. Care is very simple. Polish them first, wear for a few hours, wipe them off, insert shoe trees, let rest, polish every few wearings...repeat for twenty-five years.

 

[entrero]

I'd get them baptized.

 

[hammerhead]

Just make sure you like them. The shoes will last forever with reasonable care and you will be stuck with them. $50 every 5 years for new soles and a little shine occassionally. Be glad you didn't get Cole Hahns or something else....

 

[SpooPoker]

 

[Hans]

I always put on conditioner before wearing new shoes. Helps to prevent excessive creasing.

 

[wetnose]

Originally Posted by Hans

I always put on conditioner before wearing new shoes. Helps to prevent excessive creasing.

Exactly. The shoes may have been sitting in a storeroom for quite long and the leather might be a little dried out. Apply conditioner, rub in hard, let it it sit for a day, brush off then apply again.

 

[acidboy]

I'd wear socks first before putting them on

 

[apropos]

Yes, there is:

1. Place shoe on carpet
2. Bonus points for artfully arranging them
3. Take photos
4. Show off to 'friends' on SF

(and the optional 5th-7th step)
5. Sell on SF for massive loss
6. Justify loss as 'part of learning process'
7. Purchase shoes from an English maker, preferably with a Long and Illustrious History

 

[koolhistorian]

Originally Posted by apropos

Yes, there is:

1. Place shoe on carpet
2. Bonus points for artfully arranging them
3. Take photos
4. Show off to 'friends' on SF

(and the optional 5th-7th step)
5. Sell on SF for massive loss
6. Justify loss as 'part of learning process'
7. Purchase shoes from an English maker, preferably with a Long and Illustrious History

condition, cream and light shine;
wear
shine
wear
shine
and so on

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I condition the lining of the uppers to protect them from my *****.

 

[Erik Vegas]

You can do what Fred Astaire did with his new jackets: throw them against the wall to take some of the newness out .