Leather Types and How to Care for It

Alden Kudu Leather

  • Wipe off any excess dirt or debris from the surface of your shoes using a damp cloth. Allow leather to dry.
  • Use a small amount of Saphir Oiled Leather Cream to nourish and restore Alden Kudu’s water-resilient properties.

Calfskin

  • Brush off any excess dirt and debris using a horsehair brush.
  • To clean and condition calfskin, we recommend using a small amount of Saphir Renovateur spread thinly over the uppers of your shoes.
  • Use Saphir Cream 1925 to condition and add color to your shoes.
  • To seal the leather, use a small amount of Alden Fine Boot Cream and polish with a horsehair brush.
  • To help guard against water and stains, spray Alden Defender on a clean cloth and apply to your shoes.
  • For particularly tough stains or to remove excess polish, use Saphir Renomat or any saddle soap.

Horween Chamois Leather

  • Wipe off any excess dirt or debris from the surface of your shoes using a damp cloth. Allow leather to dry.
  • Use a small amount of Saphir Oiled Leather Cream to nourish and restore chamois leather’s water-resilient properties.

Horween Chromexcel Leather

  • Wipe off any excess dirt or debris from the surface of your shoes using a damp cloth. Allow leather to dry.
  • Use a small amount of Saphir Oiled Leather Cream to nourish and restore Chromexcel’s water-resilient properties.

Shell Cordovan

  • Brush off any excess dirt and debris using a horsehair brush.
  • To clean and condition Shell Cordovan, we recommend using a small amount of Saphir Renovateur spread thinly over the uppers of your shoes.
  • Apply a small amount of Alden Paste Wax for additional conditioning and to seal and protect the leather.
  • To help guard against water spotting, spray Alden Defender on a clean cloth and apply to your shoes.

Suede & Nubuck

  • Spray new suede and nubuck shoes with a spray protector, such as Tarraggo Nano Protector, before the first wear. Two light and even coats of spray is recommended over one heavily saturated spraying. This will help prevent the suede or nubuck from darkening due to over-spray.
  • Use a suede/nubuck brush to clean surface dirt and debris.
  • For light stains, use a suede/nubuck eraser.
  • For heavy staining or to rejuvenate the uppers of your suede or nubuck shoes, a deep cleaning treatment of Saphir Omnidaim is recommended.