Leather Conditioner for Shoes

[Roger]

At the risk of sounding as if I'm deep into OCD, let me ask you all whether you use a leather conditioner as a part (the first phase) of your shoe polishing regimen. It has seemed like a good idea to me--to keep the leather supple and free of any drying out and cracking. Ideally, we'd want a conditioner that would make a difference in softening the leather while not changing the shade of color one iota. Also, we would want to avoid anything like mink oil, I think, that would make it hard to then go on and apply cream and wax polish as the second and final steps of the process. I don't see conditioner as necessary for waterproofing with dress shoes, just for moisturizing and keeping the leather supple. Lexol has a reputation for darkening leather, and so I've steered clear of it, and have used Crema Alpina, which I got from Franco's. What leather conditioners have you guys found best, and what have your experiences been?

 

[johnapril]

Synovia shoe cream.

 

[Cobblestone]

A real good conditioner that will not darken is Urad Tenderly. It softens and keeps leather soft. Works on shoes, furniture, car leather.

www.urad.com

 

[johnapril]

Originally Posted by Cobblestone

A real good conditioner that will not darken is Urad Tenderly. It softens and keeps leather soft. Works on shoes, furniture, car leather.

www.urad.com

Would you use this before shoe cream?

 

[LabelKing]

I use the Saphir Renovateur.

 

[acidboy]

Is it advisable to put leather conditioner sparingly, like shoe polish and cream?

 

[Cobblestone]

In order, Clean, condition, Polish. Let conditioner dry for a few hours before applying polish. Let the conditioner absorb into the leather and depending on the dryness of the leather, you might need to repeat the conditioner.

 

[grimslade]

I use the Allen Edmonds Cleaner Conditioner. I find it works very well, doesn't interfere with polishing and doesn't change the color.

 

[aribo]

I myself, am slowly experimenting with URAD. The results so far have been excellent. a little bit goes a long way.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by grimslade

I use the Allen Edmonds Cleaner Conditioner. I find it works very well, doesn't interfere with polishing and doesn't change the color.

Ditto. In fact, sometimes I'll clean with a damp towel, then use the AE conditioner, and decide they do not even need more polish at that point.

 

[GeorgePaul]

I never use conditioner. Just shoe cream. Never had a problem.

 

[Golf_Nerd]

Hello,

Saphir Renovateur to clean (remove dirt, old cream and wax).

Woly Shoe cream and Collonil diamant for maintenace/ nurture.

Burgol (Wax) for shining and polishing.

 

[linsook]

i'm new at this... i got a new pair of shoes. bought some collonil waterstop.
recommended to condition first? waterstop then wax?

 

[Cobblestone]

Since the shoes are new, there is no reason to condition the leather unless you wish to soften the leather. If you do add conditioner to the leather, let dry overnight before applying the collonil water stop. By the way, good choice on the Collonil products. Some of the best products for shoes made.

 

[bigbris1]

I use saddle soap with a kitchen sponge, followed by the AE conditioner, followed by wax polish if the shoes are vintage & polish is flaking.

Otherwise, regular wax polishing keeps the leather neat. On some of my loafers that I don't wax, I just use conditioner when they look thirsty.

Light brush & edge dressing for suede.