[asaffi]

I'm used to polish my shoes every other week, but I've read somewhere that the less you polish your shoes, the most they last, so we should polish just like once a year, is that any truth in that?

 

[eagle2250]

The frequency for polishing one's shoe's should be on an as needed basis. If they get noticeably scuffed in one wearing, polish them. If you have worn them 30+ times and they don't look like they need polishing, don't do it. However I do moisturize my shoe leather one to two times per year, depending on the type of hide the shoe/boot is made from. You you should buff your shoes well before and after each wearing! Most importantly, enjoy wearing your footwear.

 

[Howard]

I'm used to polish my shoes every other week, but I've read somewhere that the less you polish your shoes, the most they last, so we should polish just like once a year, is that any truth in that?

I think if you polish less they might get dusty but if you polish more often, it might last you more.

 

[Flanderian]

The frequency for polishing one's shoe's should be on an as needed basis.

+ 1!

Much brushing with a good horsehair polishing brush before and after each wearing. And infrequent applications of shoe cream when they truly require it. For example, I just noticed a pair of my tan loafers has some scuffs low down on the back of the heel. So someday I shall give them a touch of shoe cream and buff them up.

I only use leather cleaner if a pair gets truly filthy. Obviously mud, etc . must be removed through brushing first.

Edit: Application of properly colored shoe cream probably is about after a dozen, or two, wearings.

 

[SG_67]

I’ll assuming that the term polishing is being used as a catchall to encompass conditioning the
Leather as well.

Either way, it would depend on the frequency of wear as well as environmental factors such as salt and sludge in the winters not to mention if the shoes get wet in the rain.

Even for shoes in regular rotation, I’ll condition perhaps once per 3-4 months. Otherwise, brush after each wear and store away with shoe trees inserted.

 

[JBierly]

I agree that keeping them clean and a bit of buffing can go a long way. It usually is pretty obvious when some polish is necessary (scuffs and the like...)

 

[eagle2250]

I'll assuming that the term polishing is being used as a catchall to encompass conditioning the
Leather as well.

Either way, it would depend on the frequency of wear as well as environmental factors such as salt and sludge in the winters not to mention if the shoes get wet in the rain.

Even for shoes in regular rotation, I'll condition perhaps once per 3-4 months. Otherwise, brush after each wear and store away with shoe trees inserted.

When working out of the Federal Building in Chicago and dealing with the 'fallout' from those dreaded Chicago winters, I wore Totes over my beloved shoes on many, many days!

 

[SG_67]

When working out of the Federal Building in Chicago and dealing with the 'fallout' from those dreaded Chicago winters, I wore Totes over my beloved shoes on many, many days!

It's really the most sensible thing to do. Few things are as corrosive and damaging to leather than the mixture of salt, oil and grime that define the sidewalks of Chicago in the wintertime.

 

[RogerP]

Polish as needed - every other week would be way too frequent. If you've got a decent coat of polish to start with, a light brushing and buffing with a soft cloth should be all you need between wears for the most part. Constantly slapping on layer after layer of polish is... well.... please don't do that.