Which leather conditioner for shoes?

[Kaplan]

I've read through the threads here about shoe care, but I have some trouble locating the right leather conditioner where I live.

When looking at the Lexol product recommended here, it seems that it's a fluid product? Is that what I should be looking for?

Or would this work? They call it a conditioner in English, but the exact translation of the Danish description would be a 'leather grease' - it's a gell like product.

Here's a partial translation:

'Can be used for all types of leather - Fine shoes, bags, harnesses, leather furniture and leather clothing.

Declaration
Vaseline, marrow oil, genuine beeswax, impregnated plant juices. Made after the original ancient craft traditions.'

They also have a Leather Oil, which they recommend for more dried out leather.

Or how about this Collonil conditioning foam?

 

[Cary Grant]

I can't speak to the other products but can heartily recommend Lexol.

 

[slt]

For regular application I would prefer a fluid over a 'grease'.

There is another Danish product that I'm using and can recommend:

http://dansk-laederforsyning.dk/product.asp?product=684

 

[koolhistorian]

Crema Nubiana 1888 (rebranded Crema Alpina for Bata) you can find it in every Bata shop, it is liquid and extraordinary!

 

[MaxJones]

I like Lexol also. It is fluid.

 

[acidboy]

I'm happy with Lexol.

 

[Kaplan]

I guess my first post wasn't clear, sorry 'bout that.

I'm looking for alternatives to Lexol as I can't get it where I live.

I wrote an e-mail to Nubian 1880 to hear about availability of their Crema Alpina, but no reply so far. (There are no Bata shops here.)

Do any of the shoe-care producers - like Collonil or Kiwi - make a similar product?

Since a leather conditioner like Lexol isn't particularly made for shoes, I guess that's why I haven't been able to find a similar product in the shoe stores or at the cobblers I've tried.

What is the best place to locate a fluid, Lexol-like conditioner? Shops with leather furniture?

 

[dsmolken]

How about Bickmore? They make a lot of different leather-conditioning and cleaning stuff for leather, apparently mostly for the equestrian market. I use their conditioner on my boots and have even used it and their saddle soap to clean and restore a prewar leather mandolin case.

 

[Cary Grant]

Ny tack stores? Stores that sell saddles, bridles, etc? They ought to have liquid conditioners.

 

[Kaplan]

I found this in a shop for car supplies today. (It was in a larger bottle and looked like a milky liquid, but had the same name on it. It was $30.)

Does that look right?

 

[Crane's]

Sno Seal works great for waterproofing shoes/boots. I use lexol for cleaning and conditioning my leather.

 

[Roger]

I seem to have written this many times, but why not once again?!! Lexol will darken leather; it acknowledges this right on the bottle. So I stay away from it; YMMV. Creme Nubiana (new brand name for Creme Alpina) is the best I've found (and I tried many before stumbling on it). It can be had from Franco's via an online purchase.

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by Roger

I seem to have written this many times, but why not once again?!! Lexol will darken leather; it acknowledges this right on the bottle.

But in truth- it doesn't. I was talking to my cobbler about this the other day- the only leather they've seen it darken was a very light tan. And if you are really worried, buy their conditioner that is made specificlaly to NOT darken.

 

[Tarmac]

I've seen it darken. Yes it was my very light tan shoes.

 

[slt]

To the OP:

If you really want Lexol, you can actually get that in Denmark, e.g. here

The Turtlewax is both a cleaner and conditoner, and I've been using something similar like this, which is perfectly fine for using on shoes.

I still stand by my recommendation of the ROC lædermælk here as a conditioner.