So, you bought yourself a new pair of leather boots. They look amazing, but if you don’t take proper care of the leather, it will soon dry out and accumulate marks and scratches. This is where good shoe polish is crucial. With shoe polish, your footwear will last much longer while looking as sharp as the day you bought them. Shoe polish can also work its magic on your favorite worn-out leather shoes. You will be amazed by how revitalized they will look. If you buy good leather boots, they can last you for decades with proper care. Plus, shoe polish will only cost you a few bucks, so there is really no reason why you should not use it. Nobody likes worn-out looking shoes.
Here are the 13 best shoe polishes for men.
Saphir Médaille d’Or Pommadier Cream 75ml
We will start this list with an amazing premium cream polish made by Saphir. This is old-school French company that stands on the pinnacle of the industry. Médaille d’Or Pommadier is an all-natural polish. It contains 7 natural waxes, including carnauba, shea butter, and beeswax. Pommadier will greatly enhance your leather boots while also adding some color and waterproofing.
There are 13 different colors you can choose from (shades of brown, red, black, green, and gray), so you will definitely find the one you need. Saphir is a legendary company that always delivers, and you should only expect the best.
For a price of $20, you will get 75 ml of premium Pommadier cream. You cannot go wrong with this option.
Meltonian Boot and Shoe Cream Polish
Next, we have a great cream polish made by Meltonian, another company that’s been around for decades. This is an excellent choice because it combines a high-quality formula with an affordable price. This polish features a subtle matte, which won’t make anybody blind by accident.
This polish is available in the following colors: cordovan, raspberry, black, bone, light brown, and neutral. If you don’t want to add some color, just use the neutral option. Get 1.55 ounces for around $30.
Bottom line, Meltonian offers great value for your money.
Lincoln Stain Wax Shoe Polish
Here, we have a true American classic. This is a great wax polish that will need a little bit of getting used to. It comes in a neutral color, so you can use it on any part of leather boots. If you are having trouble applying it, try using a bit of water and heat. Once you are done, you will be pleased to find that the shine is absolutely amazing and surpasses every cream polish. Wax polish will also last you longer than cream.
Aside from the neutral tone, there are over 10 colors to choose from. Get 3 ounces of Lincoln Stain Wax for the price of $7-8.
Saphir Medaille D’or 1925 Pate De Luxe
Saphir enters the list once again with another amazing wax shoe polish. You can safely apply it on your most expensive boots, and it will do its job and surpass your expectations. The Pate De Luxe comes in 10 different natural waxes, both of animal and vegetable origin. They are all combined with natural turpentine oil, which will make your boots shine spectacularly. The French sure know how to take care of their boots!
Look to spend approximately $15 for this polish.
Kiwi Shoe Polish Paste
This is another wax polish made from a high-quality blend that nourishes and protects the leather. It produces a lasting glossy shine. If you want to go an extra step, simply add an additional coat, sprinkle some water on, and use a soft cloth to rub it on. You can choose between the following colors: brown, black, tan, neutral, mahogany, mid-tan, and white.
At a little over $5 for 2.5 ounces, it’s really no wonder why this is such a bestseller.
Moneysworth & Best Instant Shoe Shine Cream Kit with Dauber
Moneysworth enters the list with an excellent kit comprised of cream polish, a sponge, and dauber. It will make your shoes shine in minutes, without the need for buffing. The polish will renew the color while also increasing water resistance. You can choose between 7 colors and a neutral one. This is a great option for when you don’t have as much time to spend polishing your shoes.
Get 50 ml for $8.
Angelus Perfect Stain
The Perfect Stain is another wax polish. This blend contains beeswax, carnauba wax, and many other high-quality oils and waxes. They have a wide variety with over a dozen colors to choose from. It will restore the quality and color of your smooth leather boots in no time.
Get 2.6 ounces for around $7.
Collonil 1909 ‘Supreme Creme’ Polish
Just looking at the packaging of the Supreme Creme will surely trigger some nostalgia for the good old times. This high-gloss cream polish comes in a 100 ml pack. It is made out of all-natural waxes and oils, which will make your leather last even longer than less expensive cream polishes. After applying it, wait 20 minutes to dry and then, buff it with a soft brush to get an excellent shine.
You can choose between burgundy, black, brown, dark brown, neutral, and tan. the Supreme Creme polish is a true classic that only costs $10-20 for 100 ml.
Frye Unisex Leather Conditioning Cream
This neutral cream polish is a real deal. After applying it, you will be surprised at how restored your boots will look. It will moisturize them and keep them cracking. It will also make your boots waterproof, which is always handy. It might not be as amazing as wax polish, but it is a great start, especially if you are a beginner. Two and 5/8 ounces is yours for the price of $9.
ECCO Men’s Shoe Care Leather Cream
When you don’t have much time and want a polish that can be applied fast and with a solid result, choose Ecco. This product has properties similar to lotion, as it will moisturize and soften the leather while improving elasticity. You will also be safe from the weather, as this polish will make your shoes waterproof. It’s available in black, bison, cocoa, and coffee colors at a price of $12 for 75 ml.
JobSite Premium Paste
Jobsite offers a high-quality mink oil paste, which will serve you for a wide variety of footwear. It will preserve and soften your leather boots, while also keeping them waterproof. Additionally, it will also keep your shoes clean by repelling salt and oil stains. Aside from mink oil, it contains silicone, lanolin, and neatsfoot oil. This is a solid choice at an affordable price of $8 for 3 ounces.
Saphir Beaute Du Cuir Pate De Luxe
The Du Cuir Pate de Luxe is another product made by Saphir. This is a traditional wax polish based on carnauba, beeswax, and turpentine (distilled pine resin). It is specifically aimed to be used at your most valuable shoes. It features a complex formula that will give your boots a high-gloss finish. For a price of $8, you will get 50 ml of polish. Not a bad deal!
Feet People Premium Shoe Cream
Lastly, we have a cream polish made by Feet People. Its rich and creamy texture comes from a blend of the finest waxes. This cream will bring back the new look of your favorite black boots and shoes in just a few minutes. You can choose between 44 different colors, which is the most we have seen. You will get 1.5 ounces of cream for less than $7.
Types of Shoe Polish
We distinguish 2 types of shoe polish: shoe cream and shoe wax.
Shoe cream is an oil-based polish. It will give your shoes a matte shine, restore moisture, and also add a bit of color, which is great if your shoes are a bit rugged. Shoe creams are the most common types of polish. They are very easy to work with, and as such, we would recommend them to beginners.
Shoe wax, on the other hand, is a solid polish with a beeswax (or similar) base. It will produce a better shine than cream polishes and will also give your boots extra resistance to various tears. The drawback is that wax is more time-consuming to use and requires more effort to apply correctly. Apply too much wax, and it will dry out and slowly flake off. While cream gets absorbed, wax does its work on the surface.
How to Polish Your Shoes Correctly
For polishing, you will need to find a flat surface where you can work uninterrupted. Lay some old newspapers on the floor, clean your boots with a brush, and remove the shoelaces. To correctly apply polish, use cloth and move your hand in a tight circular motion. You can finish this process by using a buffing cloth, which will make your boots shine even more.
Now that you know the types and how to use them, we are ready to get into this list. We have collected both cream and wax polishes of various prices and properties. All of these polishes are of high quality and will impress you by how well they work.