Cheap shoes are a false bargain. They're made of glue, rubber, and low-grade leather, which often bears scars from shrubs, trees, and barbed wire (the normal hazards of bovine life), and which is rejected out of hand by reputable shoemakers. Good shoes begin with great leather, period. Be prepared to pay for it. Of course, once you have invested your hard-earned cash in a quality pair, you're going to want to hang on to them. Put a little time and effort into looking after them and they'll last longer than any three pairs of cheap clodhoppers.

TIP 1

The last comes first The last is the name for the mold that defines the shape and fit of shoes. If you've picked a pair of shoes with a badly proportioned last, they are likely to never fit you properly. Choose shoes you which fits you well for the first time.

TIP 2

Shoe Trees Shoe trees are essential. They allow your recently worn shoes to contract and dry out to their original shape. We suggest using unfinished wooden shoe trees as they will ensure proper drawing of moisture including sweat from the leather.

TIP 3

A good shoe Buff A good shoe polish keeps leather shoes shining like a new dime. Polishing your shoes regularly does two things: It covers and repairs the damage of daily wear and tear and it nourishes and moisturizes the leather, keeping it flexible and healthy. We recommend using cream based polishes for best results.

TIP 4

Wet weather If you get caught in rain , or stepped on a puddle unknowingly, Dry your shoes before wearing them again the next day. Ensure that you dry them away from direct heat. Direct heat can dry the leather too fast, causing it to crack and once that happens, nothing can save your prized asset.

TIP 5

Replace your soles The soles on your shoes are like the tires on your car: They eventually wear out and need to be replaced. According to the experts, the “upper” part of the shoe can last as long as 20 years, but the “lower” part of the shoe, on average, only lasts around 300 days of wearing. So, when the sole becomes uncomfortable to wear and gets ragged in appearance, the best option — rather than replacing the entire shoe — is replacing the sole. For a small cost, you can have the soles replaced instead of spending more money to replace the entire shoe.