How to Care for Your Leather Shoes and Accessories

Genuine leather isn't maintenance-free the way synthetic materials are — but it doesn't need much either. A few minutes every few months is the difference between leather that cracks and dries out within a year, and leather that develops a rich patina over a decade of daily use.

The basics: condition every 3–6 months

Leather is skin, and like skin it dries out over time as it loses natural oils — especially with regular wear, sun exposure, or exposure to South African heat. A quality leather conditioner replaces those oils, keeping the leather supple and preventing the surface from cracking. As a general rule, condition smooth or full-grain leather every 3–6 months; items you wear daily (like a belt or a pair of shoes) sit at the more frequent end of that range, while occasional-use pieces can go longer.

• Wipe off any surface dust or dirt with a soft, dry cloth before conditioning
• Apply a small amount of leather conditioner with a clean cloth in a thin, even layer
• Let it absorb for a few minutes, then buff off any excess with a dry cloth
• Avoid over-applying — a thin layer worked in well outperforms a thick one left to sit

Smooth leather vs suede and nubuck

Suede and nubuck have a napped, textured finish and need different care than smooth full-grain leather. Standard leather conditioners and polishes will flatten and stain suede — instead, use a dedicated suede brush to lift dirt and restore the nap, and a suede-specific protector spray if you'll be wearing the pair somewhere they might get wet or scuffed. If suede picks up a stain, a suede eraser or a light brushing while the leather is fully dry is usually more effective than any liquid cleaner.

Keep it away from water, heat, and direct sun

Water is leather's biggest everyday enemy. If your shoes or bag get caught in the rain, let them air-dry naturally at room temperature — never near a heater, radiator, or in direct sun, all of which pull moisture out too fast and cause the leather to stiffen, crack, or warp. If a wet leather item is holding its shape poorly as it dries, loosely stuff it with paper towel or a shoe tree to help it dry back into form.

Storage

When you're not using a piece, keep it out of direct sunlight — UV exposure fades and dries leather even indoors, near a window — and store it in a breathable dust bag rather than a sealed plastic bag, which traps moisture and can encourage mould. For shoes and boots, a shoe tree or simply stuffing the toe box with paper helps them hold their shape between wears.

The break-in period is normal

Because our pieces are handcrafted from genuine leather rather than cut from pre-softened synthetic sheets, a brand-new pair of shoes or a new bag can feel firmer for the first few wears. That's expected — genuine leather softens and shapes itself to you with use, which is exactly what gives it a better long-term fit (and a more interesting patina) than a synthetic alternative ever develops.