Shoetree Project - A Review of Quality Shoe Care Products in Singapore

Quality dress shoes are expensive, but they can last decades - especially if they are cared for properly. I used to think nothing about the maintenance of my shoes, until i started buying leather shoes that cost more than a few hundred - shoes that would be too expensive to throw away.

This was when i started to wonder how i could properly maintain and extend their lifespan, effectively stretching that dollar on the 'investment'.

That’s where shoe trees and proper leather polishing/nourishing products come in. Some men look at these wooden shoe inserts as an unnecessarily expensive purchase, but shoe trees are crucial to keeping shoes in amazing shape as they age.

Here's why.

DO I NEED SHOE TREES?

Our feet sweat throughout the day, and the leather and lining of our shoes absorb all that moisture. This can cause the lining to rot, your shoes to smell, and the leather to crack over time, thereby ruining your expensive footwear.

A shoe tree holds a shoe in its proper shape so it dries out correctly, and keeps the leather from cracking by wicking away moisture. The absorbent wood also helps dry out the lining of shoes so that they don’t rot from the inside out.

Long story short: Shoe trees are a whole lot cheaper than a new pair of nice shoes, and will keep your current pair in excellent condition for years.

I would highly recommend spending on a good pair of shoe trees if your shoes cost more than $200. Quality shoe trees will have ventilation slots at the toe to help dissipate moisture, a longer, crafted heel, and contain more wood for better drying and odor control. They will also ensure the closest possible fit between the shoe and tree. This is necessary to maintain the shape of the shoe as well as to absorb moisture.

(Pro tip: When the smell of the cedar starts to fade, you can lightly sand the shoe tree to bring it back.)

WHERE CAN I GET GOOD QUALITY SHOE CARE PRODUCTS?

This is the most common question about shoe trees and products, especially when everything is so expensive in Singapore. I remember back in 2007 when i started sourcing for cedar shoe trees, they were really hard to find and the ones i found would cost $70-100 per pair.

The folks at Shoetree Project seem to have realised this gap and have sent me some of their products to review. They are the Cedar Shoe Tree in Sz 39, Saphir Pommadier Cream Shoe Polish and the Japanese Oakwood Shoe Horn.



Firstly, Saphir makes excellent quality shoe care products and i highly recommend the Renovateur and the Pommadier Cream for your shoes. Shoetree.sg literally sells them at cost and provides free delivery! 😍

Next up, the Cedar Shoe Tree. I was pleasantly surprised by the unmistakable smell of quality Cedarwood and even more impressed by the sizing and fit. The sz 39 *(please check out their size charts) fit like a glove on my Loake shoes. The spring loaded mechanism on the exterior side ensured that the shoe retains its shape - an important aspect of a quality shoe tree. Aesthetically, the brass knobs on the top of the shoe tree adds a nice touch to your shoes when it does its job of wicking the moisture whilst sitting in your cabinet.

Last by definitely not least is the Japanese Oak shoe horn. I personally like to sit on my ottoman to wear my dress shoe but this shoe horn would be a great addition for those who wear slip-ons, loafers and moccasins.

Summary

It would be ideal to have a shoe tree in every nice (expensive) pair of shoes you own, but it’s not absolutely necessary as long as you rotate your shoes and shoe trees throughout the week. 

But if you’re a huge fan of all your shoes or have a vast collection of expensive footwear, then buy a shoe tree for every single pair. At the $35 price point, there is practically nothing else i can recommend. If you haven't got one, i would highly recommend you try the ones by shoetree.sg - your feet, wallet and shoes will thank you for it! 

How To Shine Your Leather Shoes

Now that i have received a fine pair of calf leather oxford shoes from Meermin Mallorca. I thought it would be a great chance to share how i keep my dress shoes looking beautiful, clean and 'healthy'. Keeping them well maintained so that they will look good, last longer and make us look dapper !

Meermin Oxford

Regardless of how nice your shoes are, after a couple of wears, they can start looking worn and ugly - especially if you do not put in the effort to maintain them. 

If you haven't shined shoes before, don't worry - it's actually really simple and often therapeutic (at least for me). You will need a few things beforehand, though - which you can buy, depending on your budget, anywhere from a professional shoe shop (ed et al) to somewhere like NTUC, Tangs or Robinsons.

Here's what you will need

The Essentials

A soft cloth. This can really be anything from a rag or an old t-shirt to a special buffing cloth (I normally use cut out parts of my old T-shirts).

A can of shoe polish. The cheapest ones sold at the regular super markets costs a couple of dollars. (Kiwi, etc). Make sure to get the appropriate polish to match your shoe color.

A good shoe brush. Usually these will cost you anywhere between $5 and $10. If you feel a tad luxurious, a fine horse hair brush from Allen Edmonds will cost you about $15.

A good quality leather conditioner. Saphir has one of the best range of leather conditioners for shoes. I personally use the highly recommended Saphir Renovateur, which costs about $28 (At Tangs), for all my leather products.

Here's what you do

First, brush off any dirt, mud, dust or other debris on your shoe using your brush or a damp cloth. I normally use a small brush (Allen Edmonds sells a great horse hair brush).

Wait for the shoe to air-dry before continuing to the next step. This will allow the leather to fully absorb the conditioner that you will be applying in the next step.

Apply a conditioner*, apply liberally to coat a protective layer onto the leather parts of your shoe. Allow it to dry for about 10-15 minutes.

* I use the product called Saphir Renovateur - which is both a cleaner and a conditioner. When used as a base for a new polish, it helps remove any prior polish product that has built up in the pores of the leather. It is able to deeply penetrates the upper lining to supply the essential nutrients required to maintain sufficient moisture. This allows the leather to 'breathe', which ultimately prevents drying and cracking. Let's just call this the moisturizing 'SPA' treatment for your expensive shoes.

Next, apply a little bit (dab the size of a five cent coin) of your shoe polish to the shoe with your cloth. Rub the shoe in small circles, using just a small amount of shoe polish at a time. 

Use your shoe brush to brush any excess polish off the shoe. 

Lastly, take your cloth, t-shirt or buffing cloth and buff out the rest of your shoe until it shines.

Infographic (Credits: Russell Shaw)

Shining your shoes is a simple process that should only take you no more than thirty minutes. Investing that few minutes to Keep your dress shoes looking great and conditioned will ensure that it lasts longer. Give it a try and your shoes will be thanking you for your efforts. :)

** If you are looking for great quality shoe care products at affordable prices do check out my latest article here.