Proper leather shoes

I always use shoe trees for my proper leather shoes, you get more out of them if you treat them well when not wearing the. Buy cedar wooden ones, always.

Shoe trees: always cedar, always unvarnished.

When they start to lose their "cedar aroma" give them a once over with some fine sandpaper.

Good we're onto polish / wax / protection.

I don't want a super shiny finish but want to protect the leather, also they are tan. What brand / product type do I need?

Re Shoe trees, how much do the various styles and sizes matter?

I found these ones that look good for c.£20

http://www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk/products/cedar-wood-shoe-tree?utm_source=google-product-search

They need to fit your shoes so they hold their shape. They also have to allow for air flow. They prevent the leather from shrinking/warping in weird ways after sucking up your feet sweat all day.

Cheers. That all makes sense.

I'm going to go for ^ those... now I just need to pick up a fivers worth of other stuff and my shoes!

Your feet emit on average 100ml of fluid daily.

Horrific really.

I think the muji shoe tree's are pretty ok for the price.

Re Shoe trees, how much do the various styles and sizes matter?

I found these ones that look good for c.£20

http://www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk/products/cedar-wood-shoe-tree?utm_source=google-product-search

I'm in the market for a few pairs of these too. Found these on the 'Bay if you're still buying. Seem exactly the same as the above except cheaper.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270914040137?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D270914040137%26_rdc%3D1

Wanted: boots/shoes.
Budget: no more than 100 quid
Requirement: work. to not look a tool.

Where?

Lots of people have good luck at TK Maxx. Not sure which ones are the best as branches vary - I think the Brixton one is well regarded. Not sure about the Clapham one. Ask TS or Nuknow.

I got my Loake brogue boots from TK Maxx

On budget.

http://www.loake.co.uk/grain-semi-brogue-derby.html

Would anyone be interested in a pair of Loake 290 Chelsea boots in Brown?
Like this:

http://www.loake.co.uk/loake-shoemakers/boot/290.html

Purchased a little while ago and have had not much wear as they are very slightly too small for me - size 9.5 when I am a (small) 10

^ How much? And possible to try them on?
I'm usually a small 9. (Did you order a 10 and they come up small?)

Dunno about price - was thinking £75?

No - they are a size 9.5 - which I went for as the 10's I tried on felt a bit too roomy around my skinny ankles... but they turned out to be a little to short/narrow around my forefoot :(

I'm in Bristol - so trying them on might be tricky

Probably a little big for me then, see if anyone else is interested - that's a great price!

Can't you stretch them a bit? Put on warm wet socks etc, or will that ruin the shape of the boot?

Wanted: boots/shoes.
Budget: no more than 100 quid
Requirement: work. to not look a tool.

Where?

RL Newent?

They work.

I can't justify Red Wing prices.

Good we're onto polish / wax / protection.

I don't want a super shiny finish but want to protect the leather, also they are tan. What brand / product type do I need?

Anyone? I'd like something for my tan loakes which keeps them looking matte and not shiny.

lots of saddle soap to remove any current product, then use a wax that doesn't polish up

Ive just been looking for something similar, seems that the general consensus among serious leather shoe geeks is that Saphir is the creme de la creme of shoe creme (sorry I really couldnt help myself). Just ordered a tin of the wax polish to clean up my trickers with so Ill see if it lives up to its reputation.

Heads up on these reduced to £122 at NorthenThreads (with cheaper P&P via their ebay shop):

Grim