Proper leather shoes

True. I've got a pair of black suede Desert shoes that have nearly killed me on numerous occasions on slightly wet paving stones

Shoe adjacent:
I am looking at some used trainers on ebay that are a blue nubuck (part of the "Winterized" collection from Nike a few years ago)
Look in good enough condition for the price but would need a clean and spruce up.
Assuming not ideal to whack them in the washing machine?

Any tips for cleaning them and restoring them a little?
Also, how to clean the insides as someone elses hoofs have been in them.

Says no one who lives in Glasgow ever. I wear my desert boots with a blue sky, it will inevitably rain and i'll fall on my arse after skiting on a slidy bit of pavement.

Trainers can often do just fine in the washing machine on the hand wash cycle. Best to put them in a mesh bag to protect them from abrasion when they rub against the drum. Remove the insoles and put them in the bag too.

As yours have real nubuck, don't use ordinary washing powder/liquid. Some people use baby shampoo. But if you like these trainers I would go posh and use a Colourlock product. Colourlock is serious German high tech stuff. https://www.amazon.co.uk/COLOURLOCK-Leather-Wash-Concentrate-250ml/dp/B00UQQYH3O They should look immaculate after that.

If there are fungi inside they might survive a 30 degree wash. To be sure they're dead you could get a UV light bulb and subject them to that for a while. Don't look at the light too much. Put it in a cupboard or a box or something.

Other ways to kill bacteria are to put the shoes in the freezer or spray them with rubbing alcohol.

After the wash the nubuck can be restored with various gloops for leather. Post some pics and I'll suggest something.

So apparently shoe trees are different to shoe stretchers. Would there be anything to stop me drilling the trees in a couple of specific spots and adding one or two of those plastic nubbins?

Cheap stretchers are a nightmare, because the threaded rod is plastic and breaks if you put any force through it, and the nubbins are too small to do much. I used this tree as a stretcher by adding some coins. I put quite a bit of force into it by adding more and more coins with a screwdriver and a hammer. I do this now whenever I soak a shoe to get the creases out. Sometimes the uppers end up completely smooth, like new.

Your plan to stick nubbins on a tree sounds good to me. Make some really big nubbins and add more and more force over a 2 or 3 day period, giving the leather fibres plenty of time to stretch gradually. First rub some moisturising stuff into the bits you want to stretch, inside and outside. Do it really hard with your thumbs and keep doing more every so often. Maybe increase the size of the nubbins as the fibres stretch.

Going to strip them back, use 'leather filler' on the cracks and dye.

I think you could achieve a really good result. The leather is quite thick. Nothing bad will happen if you remove the top layer with wet and dry paper. Start with 100 grit and finish with 1200. Then put on a new finish with a pigmented layer (dye or paint) and a lacquer e.g. https://fiebing.com/product/resolene/ or https://www.angeluspaint.co.uk/c-9-finishers.aspx . Fiebings and Angelus have about a billion choices for you.

The hard part will be getting the filler to stick and making it look like leather! I'm looking forward to seeing your result! Here's some inspiration https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/leather-repair-kit I can't find an example with deep cracks on shoes. You might be the first to attempt it.

NB. I've returned two pairs of shoetrees like these (one - for being more than shite - and the other, from a very reputable company, for not fitting). Snugg good fit from the off is what the money pays for, I've shoved extra cardboard in for the stiffness of heals, there's always the classic newspaper stuffing with a stick to go for

Agreed, the sizing is erratic, perhaps cos of differences between anglo and italian and oriental foot shapes and sizes, and quality can be terrible. I buy cheap ones and resign myself to bodging them. The best quality ones cost more than the fucking shoes.

Not considered any of the pro cleaners?

And there are scores of YouTube videos

Ah yeah, I wasn't sure about the finisher, haven't bought any yet. Is that strictly necessary if the boots were a satin/matt finish to start with and that's what I'm trying to achieve?

If you sand the uppers the manufacturer's finish will be removed and you're left with 'raw' leather. Finisher makes the leather less likely to show marks and stains, easier to clean and less absorbent when rain or other liquids are spilled. It's optional. No need to buy it until you see your end result.

I’m on the hunt for loafers again… can’t seem to find what I’m after and the hunt has been going on too long - thought I had it nailed with some Church’s Bristol but they’re a little on the small side… other contenders are Lobb ‘Lopez’, Edward Green ‘Islington’ and C&J Boston, I’m after dark brown suede… I’d like a chunky ish sole, proper moc toe construction, Paraboot, Tods and JM Weston also have models that are close but not quite right… anyone got any suggestions?

Alden's or Bass?

proper moc toe

It’s a mockery yo, so anything with a stitch instead of separate pieces qualifies. That said, I’d agree with @hurricane_run about Alden.
They have a huge range of lasts and widths; as long as you don’t have a narrow heel in relation to your forefoot you should be able to find a perfect fit. They are overpriced but people seem to find them super comfortable and of course they look ace imo.

Lobb ‘Lopez’

£1245? For this? https://www.johnlobb.com/en_eu/mens-shoes/lopez-tensile-leather-sole-18195

Sorry I’d meant proper moccasin toe so nothing with the decorative stitching qualifies - must be two piece… I’ve not yet found any Alden that look like what I’m after…

Searching about I’ve found a few more JM Weston type loafers in Bowen and Heinrich Dinkelacker

@nick_h. Yes the Lobb are silly money new but Vestiaire/etc etc are much cheaper…

Maybe I need two pairs - these would do…

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Uffffffff those Para’s are so so sick 😭😭😭😭

Not an amazing brand @mattyc but https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/split-suede-tracksole-loafers-l12450050?

Also I’m in Northampton for a few months - so if anyone wanted me to keep an eye out in the factory shops for something I can

Sorry that was actually my bad, a one piece top with stitching might more accurately be called a mock moc toe…

I’m pretty sure it’s permanently shut but if you happen to be passing the Trickers factory can you see if they still operate a shop?
Just had a sample sale email from them and everything’s £250, when you could go to the factory and rummage they were £130 :/

Other news I just sprung for these Cheaney monkey(-ish )boots from TK Maxx, £135 from £350 seemed like bargainz, not 100% on the colour but I’ll see what they look like in the daylight.

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I know what you mean about small loafers, I have a pair of split toe Church’s which fit great but make me feel like I’ve got kids shoes on. I’m drawn to some of the Drakes/Paraboot mashups.

Edit: maybe I don’t know what you mean, you were probably talking about small as in ‘fit’, doh.

Sure thing!

Santoni might be worth a look. Weston are incredible quality of leather and manufacture.

I like that colour!
Interesting stitching decisions…