Making a good pair of leather shoes last

Shoe trees, a day off between wears and a tin of polish. A cobbler does the rest.

Style · By the Man Brief team · 1 min read · Friday 18 September 2026

A decent pair of leather shoes can last years if you look after them, and most of the work takes a few minutes a week.

Rest and shoe trees

Try not to wear the same pair two days running. Leather takes in moisture during the day and needs time to dry out. Unvarnished cedar shoe trees help it dry and hold the shape, so the creases across the toe don't set so deep.

Cleaning and polish

Brush off dirt with a horsehair brush before you polish. Cream polish feeds the leather and gives some colour back. Wax polish sits on top and gives the shine. Use a small amount, work it in with a cloth and buff once it's dry.

If they get soaked, stuff them with newspaper and let them dry away from the radiator. Direct heat cracks leather.

The cobbler

Shoes with a stitched sole, often sold as Goodyear welted, can be resoled when the bottoms wear through. A local cobbler will tell you whether yours can be. Heels usually wear first and are quick to replace.