Favorite Shoe Polish/Wax

[OldSchoolYoungin]

I've always been happy with Bear Grease (don't even know if they sell it anymore) and Lincoln, but was wondering what my fellow members' favorite wax and/or polish is. If you'd like, knowing "why" would be cool, too

I'm referring to polishes and waxes only, not conditioners (like Neatsfoot Oil) or cleaners.

 

[Basil]

I always use dubbin or mink oil from tana.

I bought these because they help soften leather and the dubbin protects the leather from the elements a bit.

I bought them originally for my soccer cleats to help me break them in but I've used them on boots and hockeys pads or anything leather that needed to be softened up and it worke wonders.

It also shines great too!

 

[SRock]

I voted Lincoln based on your options but to be honest, in the right hands I think you can get a spectacular shine from just about any wax. I learned very early on in my military career that technique is more important than product. I used Kiwi for years, then switched to Lincoln and have since gone back and forth with those and a few other brands.

 

[Rich189]

I've always used kiwi I cant say its the best because I've never tried some of the others though.

 

[Ken Tanaka]

Cannot get Lincoln up here I think.

Recently tried Meltonian...not too impressed.

Used Kiwi in the military with good results.

Also have the Australian blundstone polish in brown...very nice shine with just a brush.


Cheers!

 

[scottish steve]

For my money, undyed beeswax is the best. I think you only need a coloured polish if something goes wrong or you get a scuff and the lightness, water-proofing and natural qualities of beeswax really sell it to me...as well as the fact that it doesn't get permanently embedded into your leather. I'm aware that many,m if not all good quality polishes do have bees' or another good quality wax in them, but I like to keep it simple. I also think you get a particular quality of shine. A shoe that looks like it gets its glow (for want of a better word) from its own leather rather than copious amounts of elbow grease. looks much better IMHO.

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

For my money, undyed beeswax is the best. I think you only need a coloured polish if something goes wrong or you get a scuff and the lightness, water-proofing and natural qualities of beeswax really sell it to me...as well as the fact that it doesn't get permanently embedded into your leather. I'm aware that many,m if not all good quality polishes do have bees' or another good quality wax in them, but I like to keep it simple. I also think you get a particular quality of shine. A shoe that looks like it gets its glow (for want of a better word) from its own leather rather than copious amounts of elbow grease. looks much better IMHO.

I didn't even think of that! I'll definitely have to give it a go.

 

[SRock]

For my money, undyed beeswax is the best. I think you only need a coloured polish if something goes wrong or you get a scuff and the lightness, water-proofing and natural qualities of beeswax really sell it to me...as well as the fact that it doesn't get permanently embedded into your leather. I'm aware that many,m if not all good quality polishes do have bees' or another good quality wax in them, but I like to keep it simple. I also think you get a particular quality of shine. A shoe that looks like it gets its glow (for want of a better word) from its own leather rather than copious amounts of elbow grease. looks much better IMHO.

I used to use neutral polish occasionally but I found over time that the deep dark color I needed started to fade a bit. However, as you mentioned a couple of coats of colored shoe polish and they are right back in it.

 

[ImaWestie]

My parade boots vs my GP boots will tell you that there is definately a difference between Kiwi Parade Gloss, and Kiwi Boot Polish.

Dubbin... is a great conditioner. But it can drive the dirt all the way in. If you are slogging in mud and applying dubbin over wet leather then it will hold up until it falls apart "dramatically". Every now and then saddle soap is a good idea (if you're really getting your boots dirty & wet).

Polish, is a polish. It doesn't do much conditioning, nor cleaning (although, some products are more mulit-function than others). The OP is right to seperate it from cleaners, conditioners and dressings.

IMO: YMMV, your technique is your own, the product you choose will depend on your method - and it will modify your method in turn.

 

[nickelsig229]

I've used Kiwi on dress shoes, casual shoes and hiking boots for close to 20 years. I never even thought to try something else becuase the kiwi shines to a mirror if I invest the time. It's also saved some real leather shoes from the garbage, but on cheapo imitation leather like sketchers or what have you, it can't bring them back from the dead.

 

[W_B_K]

I never find anything other than Kiwi around me. It has always worked fine for me.

 

[ngollehe]

I keep a tin of Lincoln and Kiwi in my shine kit. I use Kiwi as a base and the melted Lincoln over it and cold polish it to a mirror shine.

 

[csmorris]

I voted Lincoln based on your options but to be honest, in the right hands I think you can get a spectacular shine from just about any wax. I learned very early on in my military career that technique is more important than product. I used Kiwi for years, then switched to Lincoln and have since gone back and forth with those and a few other brands.

+1 but have generally stuck with Kiwi

 

[The Knize]

I checked Lincoln. But I hate the way it dries out in the can. Hard for me to beat a fresh can of it though. I really like, what is it?, Dynashine for the heels and edges and as a touch up for any scuffs. I hate regular edge products. Too shiny, too prone to run, too slow to dry. Have not tried Mantellassi. There are others out there like Lincoln that seem about the same as Lincoln.

Kiwi Parade is a nice shine, but I was always afraid of the silicon in it harming the leather. If I am being really good, I used neutral as a final finish after shining with the Lincoln color version.

Love the LIncoln red on the original Weegun color!

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

For an 'Army-Lifer'...I've always been happy with Kiwi....(great spit-shines), in uniform and out

But Linclon could only be obtained at USMC Bases (Linclon - USMC : Kiwi - Army).

Christopher

 

[Doc4]

I've just started using Saphir products, and am very impressed so far. It comes highly recommended by 'those who know' on clothing forums &c. Expensive, but worth it for quality shoes.

For my money, undyed beeswax is the best. I think you only need a coloured polish if something goes wrong or you get a scuff and the lightness, water-proofing and natural qualities of beeswax really sell it to me...as well as the fact that it doesn't get permanently embedded into your leather. I'm aware that many,m if not all good quality polishes do have bees' or another good quality wax in them, but I like to keep it simple. I also think you get a particular quality of shine. A shoe that looks like it gets its glow (for want of a better word) from its own leather rather than copious amounts of elbow grease. looks much better IMHO.

I often use an untinted cream polish or wax on my brown shoes, but the black ones always get black cream/wax.

... but I can certainly appreciate the look of a shoe that shows off its natural colour rather than the pigment of the polish.

 

[ImaWestie]

Kiwi Parade is a nice shine, but I was always afraid of the silicon in it harming the leather.

'91-'94 or so, in the Australian Army Reserve, in one of the coldest wettest parts of NSW, I used only Kiwi Parade Gloss in a unit that regularly exercised in Styx River State Forest - was the recommendation of the CSM so it's what you did - people wore out the soles of their boots before the leather had problems. That includes, wearing the same boots soaking wet for 21 days straight in the middle of winter and on direction loading them up with polish.

After that the Australian army went to horribly painted green boots, followed by equally horrible canvas/suede boots. Cheap clones of really good boots.

If you're talking about shoes/boots you want 15 years out of ymmv of course.

 

[samuelson]

Kiwi is the polish of choice for British forces, but I'm still not convinced of the benefits of parade gloss.

Don't thnik anyone mentioned it, but aviod cherry blossom. It gives a horrible waxy snine and messes up your brushes.

 

[scottish steve]

I didn't even think of that! I'll definitely have to give it a go.

That's why we're all here!

 

[Doc4]

Kiwi is the polish of choice for British forces, but I'm still not convinced of the benefits of parade gloss.

I've heard that the chemicals in it (don't remember which one just now) harm the leather.