Leather shoe care without polish?

[JimmyT]

Hi folks,

Normally I find my answers via searching the forums, and, while I'm sure it has been covered before, my search abilities are failing me.

I recently purchased a pair of Alden Kudu Chukkas http://www.aldenshoes.com/DrawOneShoe.asp?CategoryID=66

These appear to be a boot that are intended to look unpolished.
I know the routine for normal leather shoe care involves using cream and/or polish but I'm wondering what steps I should take to care for these boots?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
--JT

 

[grimslade]

Saddle soap? Or just conditioner?

 

[TCN]

Wipe dirt and dust off with a slightly damp rag. Wipe dry, apply cleaner/conditioner product (AE makes a good one).

 

[Golf_Nerd]

Originally Posted by JimmyT

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
--JT

Only using cream. No polishing for maintenance.

To waterproof take 'matt' (without shining).

 

[Loose On The Lead]

Alden recommends no care at all for the kudu chukkas. They shouldn't dry out much, but if they do, apply some Neat's Foot Oil. And that's it.

 

[JimmyT]

Is the occasional Lexol application viable then?

--JT

 

[TCN]

Originally Posted by Loose On The Lead

Alden recommends no care at all for the kudu chukkas. They shouldn't dry out much, but if they do, apply some Neat's Foot Oil. And that's it.

Out of curiousity, why neatsfoot oil for something that is probably not going to dry out that much, and isn't being constantly used? I understand it for saddles or hunting boots that are used hard for a number of years and then replaced, but just for shoes over the long haul? Seems problematic.

 

[TCN]

Originally Posted by JimmyT

Is the occasional Lexol application viable then?

--JT

Overkill IMHO, but just use less if you're dead set on it.

 

[Loose On The Lead]

Originally Posted by TCN

Out of curiousity, why neatsfoot oil for something that is probably not going to dry out that much, and isn't being constantly used? I understand it for saddles or hunting boots that are used hard for a number of years and then replaced, but just for shoes over the long haul? Seems problematic.
I think Alden expects these particular shoes to be used/treated like hunting boots or saddles, more or less. Again, the basic recommedation is "no care at all". If the shoes do happen to get a little dry after awhile, then use Neat's, but Alden's expectation is that even this won't be necessary.

 

[JimmyT]

Great, and thanks for the responses...makes my life easier

 

[jmonroestyle]

Oil tanned leathers like your boots take a special kind of cream conditioner that is different than the standard leather lotion cream conditioner used on smooth leathers.

Kiwi makes a product called Oil Tanned Leather cleaner, that works quite well on oil tanned leathers.

I have also used some creme polish on oil tanned boots to make the toes look less"splotchy", as they may get "kicked out" after some wear. I just dab on a tiny bit of cream polish and wipe it right off. It darkens the toe splotches quite nicely.

 

[Tcameron]

Originally Posted by JimmyT

Is the occasional Lexol application viable then?

--JT

+1

Works well.

 

[vootzilla]

Im using Mink Oil on all my leather goods.... it's good!

 

[JLibourel]

A-E's Aqua-Care Shoe Cream in brown might be a good choice for these shoes as it could not only nourish the leather but apply some color to scuffed areas.

I have a holster in kudu hide but no experience with shoes made from this leather. Those Alden chukkas look very "safari-ish."

 

[well-kept]

The best conditioner I have found is Meltonian All-Purpose Cleaner and Conditioner. Works beautifully, dries quickly, no sticky residue.