The best shoe care products. Shoe care products - review of the best creams, sprays, impregnations by manufacturers and prices

Olga Nikitina

Reading time: 9 minutes

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Slush, dust, frost, rain, chemicals - all these factors quickly render our shoes and boots unusable, but even the most impractical shoes can retain their external novelty with proper care. And proper care means, first of all, special products for shoes, which you cannot skimp on. According to experts, such funds should spend at least 10 percent of the cost of the shoes themselves. The main thing is not to make a mistake with the choice.

What shoe care products are available on the domestic market today, and what brands do consumers choose?

Creams

All shoe polishes are divided into...

• Thick creams based on organic solvents

Advantage: Optimal effect in bad weather. Ingredients: solvents, wax and coloring agent, animal fat. Suitable for shoes made of thick genuine leather.

• Liquid creams, emulsion

Most effective in the warm season. The composition contains fewer solvents (they are replaced with water). An ideal choice for elegant, expensive shoes made of fine leather. The level of protection is lower compared to a thick thick cream, but the shine is very durable.

1. Salamander.
2. Kiwi.
3. Sapphire.

Water repellent spray

This product is a real salvation for shoes, both suede/nubuck and leather. A well-chosen spray will not only protect your boots from the effects of slush, snow and reagents, but will also ease the “shoe torment”.

Treating shoes with a spray is an easier, more convenient and cleaner process than treating them with a cream. Water-repellent spray keeps white boots white, color intensity on colored shoes, protects suede from getting wet, and leather from deformation.

The only drawback of the product is its very strong smell.

1. Niki Line Anti Rain. German product for shoes made of any material, including fur and textiles.
2. Salamander Universal SMS. Significantly extends the life of shoes.
3. Ecco. Protects against moisture without interfering with the air exchange of shoes. Economical and efficient.
4. Collonil Nanopro. A universal remedy. Used for both shoes and clothing. Created on the basis of nano-technology. Economical, fantastically effective and... very expensive.
5. Kiwi Aqua Stop. Dries quickly, works effectively, is convenient for a woman’s handbag, and is reasonably priced.

Impregnation

A product that protects shoes from penetration of water and dirt into the depth of the material. Impregnation keeps shoes in good condition for a long time and protects feet from dampness.

When choosing this product, they are guided by the type of material and the weather - only shoes, for shoes and clothing, for winter weather and reagents, or for rainy weather, etc.

Silicone impregnations are considered the most effective, thanks to which water simply drains from the shoe, and the protective film is evenly distributed over the surface of the shoe without blocking the air exchange. The effective action of the product begins after 8-9 hours, so treatment is usually carried out in the evening, in accordance with the type of impregnation (spray, emulsion, etc.).

• For suede, it is better to choose a fluorocarbon resin impregnation for better protection.
• For smooth skin - wax and silicone impregnations.
• For daily use - paint-balm in the form of a spray.
• For all types of shoe materials - fluorine-containing impregnations.

1. Salton.
2. Salamander Professional.
3. Saphir.
4. Tarrago.
5. Hatch.
6. Nikwax (for suede/nubuck).

Restorative paint

Using this product, you can restore shoes that have suffered from the effects of bad weather, restore scratches, abrasions, broken toes/heels, and disguise almost any defects. In addition to its restoration and camouflage properties, the restorer will protect shoes from dirt and moisture, prevent the appearance of stains, and restore the color intensity and velvety of nubuck.

The main advantages of a high-quality restorer are the durability of the paint - it will not stain your clothes and will not wash off after drying. The reducing agent should be left on the shoes until it dries completely, after which the effect should be secured with a protective agent.

The restorer contains silicone and stabilizers, pigments, wax with natural oils, etc. The product lies on the surface of the shoe like a second skin and easily hides even cuts, seams and traces of gluing on the shoes.

1. Salamander.
2. Erdal.
3. Collonil.
4. Sitil.
5. Saphir.
6. Kiwi.
7. Silver.

Stretchers

These products appeared on our market not so long ago and immediately successfully replaced all “grandmother’s methods.” If the purchased (donated) shoes fell a little short on your feet, simply did not wear in or shrunk due to frequent getting wet/drying, then a stretcher will solve this problem - it softens the skin and ensures its easy stretching to the desired size (within reason, of course).

The best stretchers:

1. Salamander.
2. Salton.
3. Kiwi.

Sprays Anticolor

Take off your new shoes and your white socks turn black? And the boots were probably expensive? Don't despair and don't rush to throw them in the trash. Now we can solve this problem too. Unfortunately, expensive shoes also suffer from dyeing socks and tights. Your magic wand is Anticolor, which protects socks from staining and fixes the pigment layer of the inside of your shoes by creating a protective film.

This product can be used for completely different materials, and the spray form will greatly facilitate the task.

The best Anticolor sprays:

1. Salamander.
2. Collonil.
3. Saphir.

Sponges

One of the main assistants in any weather, always present, both in a woman’s handbag and on a shelf at home (or in the office, in the dressing room). An irreplaceable item: a couple of swings - and the shoes shine again, like new. Of course, you can’t compare a sponge with impregnation or cream in terms of effectiveness, but sometimes you just can’t do without it.

Disadvantages of the sponge: a maximum of 30-50 shoe cleanings (then it simply dries out and loses its quality), the glycerin impregnation of the sponge dissolves in water (that is, the shoes do not protect against moisture), and the foam rubber breaks very quickly.

The most durable sponges are made of dense foam rubber, with a polystyrene body, with a dispenser and based on silicone oils. Well, it’s also worth remembering that the purpose of a sponge is to add shine, and not to protect shoes from moisture.

1. Salamander (contains dye, silicone impregnation).
2. Salton professional (double sponge, gel dispenser).
3. Smart (Contains dye, silicone oils. Dust-repellent effect).
4. Silver (Contains perfume and silicone oil, dye).
5. Vilo (contains silicone oil, dye).

Polishes for patent leather shoes

Thin patent leather requires special care. The best remedy is a special polish to protect against cracks, to maintain the elasticity of the skin, and for shine. Suitable for synthetic and natural patent leather. When used correctly, it significantly extends the life of shoes.

Contains special oils.

1. Collonil.
2. Saphir.
3. Lack Polish Niki Line.
4. Lack Care Salamander.

Brushes

One of the most necessary “tools” for shoe care is, of course, a shoe brush.

The best one is with natural bristles, and with a certain distance between the rows of this bristles (for easy removal of cream from the brush after cleaning shoes).

The body of the instrument must have a protective varnish coating or be made of plastic.

1. Salamander (double-sided brush).
2. Twist Casual Style Mini.
3. Salton (triple brush, ideal for suede/nubuck).

Erasers

If you have suede shoes and the color is original (neither white nor black), then the ideal cleaning option is dry. That is, using a special eraser. This product will help maintain the structure of suede and remove dirt without damaging the surface.

1. Complex Care Salton Professional. For suede, velor, nubuck.
2. Solitaire. For removing stains from velor.
3. Saphir. For suede, velor.
4. Collonil Nubuk Box. For velor, nubuck.

Textile shoe products

For shoes/boots made of membrane/textile materials, you should choose special products. They are usually labeled as Gore-tex care.

The best products for textile shoes - rating:

1. Salamander Universal-SMS.
2. Granger's Leather Conditioner.
3. Salamander.
4. Collonil Water spray.

About the benefits of cosmetics for shoes

The main task of cosmetics is to preserve and add beauty, and shoe cosmetics are no exception. However, not everyone uses it. Various footwear products, whether leather or nubuck, suede or textiles, velor or leatherette, require cosmetic care, otherwise it may happen that the product loses its presentation. Nowadays there is a varied range of shoe products, it is not like before when you were limited to just a tube of cream and a shoe brush. A variety of sprays, cream-paints and foams, antibacterial deodorants and gels, emulsions and shoe polishes and this is just a small list of products that not only help maintain the good condition of your shoes for a long time, but will also help bring your favorite shoes into proper shape. and a worn-out pair of shoes.

Shoe care cosmetics today are a variety of tubes and jars, emulsions and sprays, aerosols and creams, each with its own purpose. Cream paint, foam or spray will give shoes and leather clothes a rich and bright color, and with constant use, your items will retain their original appearance for a long time. Taking care of shoes and leather goods is not difficult if you know what product to use. We often encounter the problem that shoes get wet and subsequently lose their color and presentation. Sprays with water-repellent function will become your indispensable assistants that will protect your shoes from getting wet, moisture and salt stains. Deodorants will prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors and protect shoes from bacteria. Shoe care is a kind of science that needs to be studied in order not to be afraid of any weather conditions, so you need to select cosmetics for shoes in accordance with the materials used to make them. If you love your shoes and don’t want to part with them quickly, then you need to select high-quality products, and we will help you with this. Our site cooperates only with the best manufacturers of professional products at affordable prices. Let's together give a second chance to our favorite leather goods.

The lifespan of a beloved couple today depends only on our care. We offer shoe care products for any occasion. Mild cleaning shampoo for leather, nubuck, suede and textiles Collonil Direct shampoo removes dirt and salt stains. Collonil in lotion form cares for and restores new look to shoes and other leather products.

A store with such an assortment turns banal shoe care into an art. An innovative protective spray for all types of textures creates a protective shell to make the product resistant to water and dirt. Now you can buy this remedy for collonil in Moscow from us and endlessly prolong the new type of clothing and shoes.

From the collonil series, the online store offers a spray for the brightly colored inner surface of shoes. Your feet will not be stained by the insole if you treat it with our product.

Does personal hygiene include the care of clothing and shoes? Necessarily! We have an antibacterial deodorant - collonil aerosol for shoes, designed to give freshness to the inner surfaces of shoes.

For those who value hygiene and the excellent appearance of shoes, the price of collonil products will seem reasonable, and the economical consumption makes their frequent purchase unnecessary.

By becoming a client of our store, you can not only buy collonil shoe cream, but also become the owner of a complete set of products for seasonal and daily use. This means caring for shoes in winter and maintaining freshness in summer, comfortable wearing, cleanliness of nubuck and suede, new shine of glossy leather.

The Rendez-Vous shoe and bag care service consists of free care master classes conducted by the company's specialists in Rendez-Vous stores throughout Russia. Bring your shoes or bag and we'll show you how to properly care for them!*

THE UPCOMING MASTER CLASSES WILL BE HELD IN RENDEZ-VOUS STORES:

• MEGA Belaya Dacha(Moscow, 1st Pokrovsky pr-d, 5).
  Period:
• Fashion Season (Moscow Gallery)(Moscow, Okhotny Ryad st., no. 2).
  Period: from November 27 to January 12. Thursday-Sunday from 10.00 to 22.00.
• Metropolis(Moscow, Leningradskoe sh., 16a, building 4, Sector 10-03).
  Period:
• Chocolate(Moscow, MKAD 2 km, no. 2).
  Period: from November 27 to January 12. Wednesday-Sunday from 10.00 to 22.00.

*One pair of shoes (both new and shoes with history) or a bag purchased in Rendez-Vous stores is accepted for restoration and cleaning. Shoes and bags made of textiles, nubuck and suede are not accepted for cleaning. The service is provided free of charge to all Privilège card holders and is provided on the condition that the product is added to the card.

Rules for conducting master classes on care

If you have just bought shoes, we will carry out the initial treatment and tell you what and how to care for them.

If you brought your shoes with you, we will clean them and repair them if necessary. The master will tell you and show you how to properly care for your shoes in the future.

If you come to the store wearing shoes that require care, we will conduct the master class on a special chair, where you can sit comfortably and watch the cleaning and care process. Your shoes will be transformed right on your feet!

We use Avel cosmetics for skin care. Since the 1920s, the company has produced a line of professional care products under the Saphir brand, 100% made in France from natural ingredients. The line includes shades and compositions for exotic, finely tanned and finely colored leathers.

Choosing shoe care products

If you are a lover of good shoes, then you undoubtedly know that they need good care. This article will focus on quality shoe care products. Shoes made exclusively from smooth leather. Suede, nubuck, dermantin, patent leather shoes are a completely different topic.

Of course, initially, leather was not intended to at some point become a material for making shoes. And the most natural state for it, which allows it to retain its properties, is to cover the body of an animal. In this state, the skin receives various nutrients and everything it needs. Thanks to this, it remains elastic and durable, and even has the ability to recover.

The skin that is removed from an animal is devoid of all this. It will retain its properties for some time, but without proper care it quickly loses its properties. Caring for leather shoes has two purposes. Preserve its properties, as well as give it a beautiful appearance. Unfortunately, not many people really take care of their shoes. For many, care is limited to using a wet cloth to remove dirt. Others use tubes of cream and a sponge. There are also those who use cream, which is sold in any shoe store as a related product. For the most part, this is all that Russian offline offers. The best of the presented products are a couple of products from SALAMANDER. Here is a simple arsenal of such tools:

This “maintenance” of shoes takes no more than 5 minutes. However, this is not at all what the shoes need. Personally, my desire to take good care of her only arose when I started buying quality shoes.

So, what does leather need that has become your favorite pair of shoes? Much depends on the time of year and operating conditions. However, regardless of all this, the skin needs the nutrition that it previously received from the animal itself. These are various fats and other components of metabolism. Without this, the skin dries out and cracks. In extreme cases it looks like this.

Even women sometimes use various moisturizing creams to keep the skin on some parts of the body soft and elastic. Various oils and fats are used for shoes. As a rule, it is believed that oils are intended for more favorable operating conditions, and fats are intended for aggressive environments and more severe conditions. The oils look like ordinary machine oils. It has a pleasant smell and is quickly absorbed by the skin. You can apply a few drops directly to areas of the skin. Then they need to be ground. I prefer to do this with two fingers, some use a cloth or a brush.

When all the shoes have been treated with oil, you need to give them time to dry. You can then repeat the process again. Fat can be used in a similar way. It is thicker, but absorbs just as well when rubbed. I use fat for winter shoes, due to the abundance of reagents on the roads and low temperatures. This treatment, regardless of oil or fat, nourishes the skin. It becomes soft, does not crack from drying out and acquires water-repellent properties. Important reminder: If your shoes are not black, they will darken slightly after this treatment.

You cannot buy such protective equipment in our stores. True, there are several online stores selling shoe cosmetics, but most often the choice is limited to a couple of manufacturers. One of which is invariably French SAPHIR (I have nothing against it). As always, there is a large selection with a lot of offers from American manufacturers. For example, here are the oils

Here are a couple of examples of shoe grease.

Here is a video to show you how to properly apply the product to shoes.

There are other manufacturers of similar protective equipment. By the way, production is usually “made in USA”. It is enough to carry out this treatment 1-2 times a year. At the beginning of the season, the same can be done at the end. This allows you to minimize the impact of the environment on the leather of your shoes. It also makes it much easier to remove dirt and prevents getting wet. Even if you accidentally step into the mud, it won't take long to remove it. Most often, it is enough to rinse with tap water.

However, this is not all your shoes need. By the way, I will say that I practically do not use creams, neither colored nor colorless. Manufacturers of high-quality shoes dye leather so that the dye penetrates deep into the leather, and small scratches do not disturb the color. Although if more serious damage has occurred, or there is a need to restore color, the use of a colored cream may be justified. And most likely even necessary.

For everyday care and beauty, you can use shoe conditioner. They also have protective properties. But they are intended for regular care. However, it is not necessary to apply it every day. Or after every shoe wear. I do this as needed. Conditioner is a cream-like liquid. Apply directly to the shoes and rub with a high-quality brush, and finally add shine with a piece of cloth.

A few words about brushes. It must be horsehair too. The vast majority of Chinese brushes are made of synthetic materials. Hair falls out, and they also cannot rub the product evenly and smoothly. Naturally, one brush is not enough. You definitely need to have a small brush to clean the stitching areas of the sole and upper leather part. Here are good manufacturers of shoe brushes. These brushes are thick and their bristles are very soft.

I also use leather wax. It has high water-repellent properties. If oil and fat largely protect the internal structure of the skin, then wax remains on the surface in a thin layer. Moisture and along with it salt and other reagents do not penetrate and do not destroy the surface of the skin. I think wax is especially necessary in winter. This is worth mentioning separately. Surely this picture is familiar to everyone.

I generally hate these divorces. But removing them with a wet cloth will not solve the problem. Salt crystals have already penetrated deep into the skin. And sometimes, having removed the stains with water, after drying the picture repeats. This is especially noticeable on suede shoes. But even if it was possible to remove the salt, the skin is already damaged. I can’t show you a photo of this, but on closer inspection you can see it. It changes color and no longer looks like a smooth, monochromatic material. The boundaries of salt stains will be clearly visible. And this is where wax comes to the rescue. It is applied with a shoe brush or a piece of cloth. It covers the surface with a thin layer. After which it is easy to polish it with cloth, which will give it shine. However, it is important to try to avoid contact with an aggressive environment. Try not to mix snow porridge on the sidewalks. Because salt, with prolonged contact, will corrode the wax, and then the skin. To protect shoes from reagents, the best results are achieved by prevention using fat, as well as applying wax to the surface. If you come from the street where your shoes came into contact with reagents, be sure to wash them under water. Do not leave your shoes unwashed until the morning. Otherwise, the salt will do its job, and no means will protect your shoes. If the salt has done its job, then this product can remove it.

However, this will not restore damaged skin.

There are many more different means. These include creams and various skin impregnations. Each manufacturer tries to present their product in a special way. Although many of them are not very different from each other. There is no need to write about all this in detail. Of course, if you are a fanatic about shoe care, then you probably know a bunch of other wisdom on this topic. However, for most this will be unnecessary.

Which stores are worth visiting? Naturally, this is only the USA and Europe. No China. In addition, stores with inexpensive delivery to the Russian Federation are especially interesting. Unfortunately, these funds are not cheap anyway. And with expensive delivery, their use becomes completely expensive. Most stores do not ship outside of the US at all. Here is a pleasant exception. Excellent store with a good selection and inexpensive delivery

There is another way to purchase shoe care products relatively inexpensively. When I buy any product without direct delivery to the Russian Federation, I use intermediaries, I can add 1-2 funds to the package. This will not affect the shipping cost much.

Here is an educational video from a famous shoe maker. An example of regular shoe care.

So you should pay enough attention to shoe care. Of course, if you bought it at the nearest KARI store, then there is no need for this. These shoes will not save anything)) However, if your shoes are from the “MADE IN USA” category or something similar, then be sure to get good products for caring for them. Then the shoes will serve you for a long time and will delight you with their appearance.

For this we need

(cleaning from dust and dirt) or (cleaning from shoe cosmetics deposits)

(milk for cleansing, nourishing and restoring the skin)

(cream wax for basic polishing and color restoration. Colors: neutral, black, dark brown, dark blue)

(wax from 7 natural ingredients, polishing and shine)

Natural horsehair.

Natural horsehair.

(water-repellent impregnation)

Due to the busy schedule of life in a metropolis, we often miss important details, such as the condition and shine of our own shoes. However, it is in business leather shoes that you will attend one business meeting after another throughout the week.

Especially for the modern gentleman, we have created simple instructions, following which you can immediately become a shoe care professional. Having tried most of the shoe care and shoe cosmetics available in the world, for this instruction we have selected the best of them: French Saphir products, a company with more than a century of history. Its products are made only from natural ingredients such as beeswax, mink oil, lanolin oil and jojoba oil. Follow our instructions and try caring for genuine leather shoes at home:

Step 1. Cleaning from dirt

Caring for leather shoes should certainly begin with cleaning. To prepare a pair for deeper cleaning and restoration, you must first remove visible dirt by simply running our natural horsehair brush over the entire shoe

• If there is dirt, dust or other natural pollutants on your shoes If there are traces of street dirt, stains, salt deposits and other natural pollutants on your shoes, clean them with Saphir Etalon Saddle Soap. To apply the soap you will need a smudge brush. Dip the bristles of the brush into a container of water and grab a small amount of soap. Use the brush in a circular motion over the shoes until the entire surface is covered with soapy foam solution. Wipe the surface with a cotton napkin (or an old cotton T-shirt) and let the shoes dry. Ideally, let the shoes sit overnight.
• If there are chemical deposits on your shoes If you want to remove care products accumulated on shoes or, as often happens, deposits of low-quality shoe cosmetics, we recommend using Saphir Reno’Mat. Apply a small amount of product to a napkin wrapped around your finger and wipe the dirty areas in a circular motion. Saphir Reno'Mat will effectively dissolve chemical deposits such as silicone residue or old polishing wax.

Which Sapphire product should you choose? For professional care of leather shoes, it is worth having both products, but if you have to choose, take Saphir Etalon saddle soap.

Step 2. Restoring shoes

In case of relatively minor contamination, as well as if comprehensive care has been carried out recently, we recommend immediately starting cleaning with Saphir Leather Lotion. Apply a small amount to your shoes or a cotton cloth tied around your toe. Rub the sapphire product into your shoes using circular motions. Do not forget to periodically change the working area of ​​the napkin, as during cleaning there will be traces of dirt, previously used creams or waxes on it. This is fine.

Leave the shoes on for 10 minutes and then use our brush to move them from side to side. A slight shine will appear on the shoes, as the lotion contains natural wax.

Step 3. Polishing shoes with cream

The next step in the instructions is initial polishing. For this purpose, you should choose high-quality shoe polish made from natural ingredients. Cheap creams containing silicone and rubber contribute to the formation of deposits and can seriously damage leather shoes. One of the best primary polishes in the world is Saphir Pommadier. This cream wax contains only natural ingredients for a natural shine, as well as high-quality coloring pigment to restore the color of leather shoes. To apply the cream evenly, use our applicator brush. Dip the brush into the jar of cream and grab a small amount of cream. Using rotational movements, evenly distribute the cream over the surface of the shoe. You can also use a cotton napkin for application. Ideally, let the shoes sit for one hour, but if this is not the case, 5 minutes will be enough for most of the cream to be absorbed into the shoes. Once the cream has dried, brush the surface of the shoe with a natural horsehair brush. Use a sweeping, side-to-side brushing motion and light pressure. Repeat the process 2-3 times until a matte shine appears.

Step 4. Finish polishing the shoes

If you are satisfied with the matte shine after the previous step, then you can skip this step. However, if you want to get a Mirror Shine effect (shining effect), then Saphir wax is ideal for this. Using a cotton cloth, grab a small layer of wax (the less the better!) and apply it to the front of the shoe in a circular motion with light pressure. One polishing cycle lasts 60-90 seconds. Please note: if wax gets into areas where shoes bend when you walk, unwanted white cracks will appear (if this happens, clean the area with Saphir Reno’Mat). Allow the wax to dry completely and soak in, then use a buffing brush to go over the shoe in a side-to-side motion using light pressure. Repeat the cycle until desired gloss level is reached. When applying wax, we recommend avoiding shoe bends where the leather is prone to cracking.

Additionally: impregnation of shoes from water and dirt

The final touch remains to complete the professional shoe care. To subsequently protect your updated pair from the unfavorable urban environment, Saphir Super Invulner shoe impregnation is ideal. Saphir water-repellent spray will reliably protect shoes made of suede, nubuck or leather from rain, snow, as well as from the penetration of dirt into the material. Use 1-2 times a month and this silicone-free shoe polish will help maintain the appearance of your shoes for years to come. At this point, care for leather shoes can be considered complete.