Journal

Boot Black shoe care products

Made in Japan, Boot Black makes some of the finest waxes, creams, lotions, and cleaners available. We have a robust offering available online and in our New York store. In addition to their wax and cream polishes, we also stock two shoe shine kits, which are also available online and in store.

Below we feature some of Boot Black’s most notable products, outside their waxes and cream polishes.

Collections Cream

Boot Black Collections Cream is formulated with far more color pigment than their standard cream. Use on your shoes’ heels and toes for an instant burnish. It doesn’t take much — just a dab will give you that antiqued finish.

Edge Crayon

You may have used edge dressing to recolor your sole edges. This crayon does the same thing, but with less mess and a more natural finish. Available in black and dark brown.

Repair Cream

Fix scuffs and scratches on your shoes with this repair cream. Apply a small amount to a palette, mix with water, and rub into the scuff or scratch. Let dry for fifteen minutes, then cover with a matching shoe cream. Afterwards your shoes will be as good as new.

Leather Sole Conditioner

Formulated with Jojoba and mineral oils, Boot Black’s Leather Sole Conditioner makes leather soles more flexible. It guards them from stiffening or cracking caused by rain and wet weather.

Now In Stock: Vintage Watches

We’ve teamed with our friends at CMT Watches to offer a selection of fine timepieces from the 1960s and 70s. The beauty of a vintage watch is found in its history, character, and timeless style. Like a pair of classic shoes that have been well cared for, a vintage watch is a product of superb craftsmanship and design.

Wearing a watch is no longer a necessity — we have phones that tell time more accurately than a mechanical watch ever could. Wearing a watch in 2017 is a declaration of style, and which one you pick makes a statement. Why not choose a classic piece, the same as you choose for your shoes?

The watches are available online and in our New York shop.

New arrivals on Leffot Pre-owned

Every Tuesday we release new shoes on Leffot Pre-owned, our marketplace for gently-worn, high-quality footwear. Today we’re featuring a selection from Edward Green, Alden, and Gaziano & Girling.

Alden x Brooks Brothers Tassel Loafer – US 10.5D.

Before and After

A customer recently brought us a pair of Alden color 8 Longwings to sell as part of our pre-owned program. Sometimes you have to look beyond the obvious to find the true beauty in things. This pair had some miles on them but there was still plenty of gas in the tank.

As you can see in the photo below, there was a build up of black polish on the vamp. It felt slightly gritty, not smooth the way shell normally feels.

Repeated polishing had left a buildup of black polish on the vamp.

We started by simply wiping the shoes off with a cloth, followed by a coat of Saphir Renovateur. Many of you are familiar with this product. It’s milky, gentle, and spreads well, so a little dab goes a long way. You may notice on Alden color 8 shoes the Reno removes a bit of color. That is what we were looking for. We cleaned the the entire shoe, then buffed.

We needed a stronger product to remove the polish buildup. We went with Saphir Réno’Mat, which is a strong leather cleaner with a pungent smell. We applied small amounts to a cloth and rubbed lightly over the wax buildup. You could immediately see the old polish coming off onto the rag. We repeated this step several times.

Réno’Mat can leave the leather looking a little dry. We went back to the Renovateur, and then a combination of both together. The important thing is to go little by little, using small amounts. On hard-to-clean spots we used the rounded end of a deer bone to rub away the polish.

One shoe was darker than the other, so we used Boot Black Collections Creme to match them.

After repeating the process for the second shoe, we noticed the colors weren’t quite the same. The solution was to use Boot Black Collections Creme to darken and match the pair. Collections Creme contains very intense color pigment, so it’s best used for burnishing or adding color saturation. Take a small amount on a cloth and rub in lightly until you achieve the desired color.

The final result.

New releases on Leffot Pre-owned

Every Tuesday we release new shoes on Leffot Pre-owned, our marketplace for gently-worn, high-quality footwear. Today we’re featuring a selection of boots from Edward Green, John Lobb, Oak Street Bootmakers, and Alden.

John Lobb Livonia – UK 6.5E.

Edward Green Portland

These travel shoes are so lightweight and comfortable that you might forget you’re wearing them. Since they’re suede, they’re extremely soft and will form to the shape of your foot. Put them on, kick back, and enjoy your flight in style.

Features: 389 last, Dark Brown Utah, Cemented Leather Soles

Edward Green MTOs

Edward Green is regarded by many to be “the finest shoes in England for the discerning few.” A more classic English shoe would be hard to find. Having been in business for more than 120 years, Edward Green has become discreetly famous for probably the finest welted shoes.

We recently received a shipment of Edward Green made-to-order shoes, and they’re as beautiful and elegant as ever. We present them here for your viewing pleasure.

New arrivals on Leffot Pre-owned

Every Tuesday we release new shoes on Leffot Pre-owned, our marketplace for gently-worn, high-quality footwear. Today we’re featuring a selection of boots from Alden, Edward Green, and Rider.

Alden x Leffot Captoe Boot – US 7E.

Saint Crispin's 647 Oxford

Once again Saint Crispin’s takes a classic style and makes it their own. The 647 oxford is a perforated captoe made in medium brown hunting suede. With a natural edge and clean, sharp finishing, it’s a classic shoe, but far from boring.

Duret MTOs

For those unfamiliar with Duret, they’ve been making exceptional leather goods and belts for 17 years, paying particular attention to using the highest-quality leathers. Completely handmade in their Parisian workshop, Duret belts are crafted with full leather lining, silk or linen thread, and a solid brass buckle. All stitching is done by hand, using a thread in the color you select. Belts are available in traditional leathers such as calfskin, lambskin, and goatskin, as well as exotics like alligator, ostrich, and python. With over 200 options for made-to-order, you’ll be sure to find the perfect choice.

Duret also specializes in leather goods. From wallets and card cases to briefcases and bags, anything is possible. Made for yourself or as a gift, Duret will craft a luxurious piece of exceptional quality.

Sell your shoes!

Sell your unworn shoes.

We all have shoes we don’t wear. They sit in the backs of our closets, gathering dust and waiting to be worn. What can we do? Sure, there’s eBay, but who has the time?

In late July we launched Leffot Pre-owned as a way to help with this predicament. We purchase your shoes either in cash or merchandise credit up front. You leave the selling to us.

We mainly purchase the brands we stock, but we also accept other brands on a case-by-case basis. So far we’ve purchased Crockett & Jones, Berluti and Camina.

If you live near one of our stores, you can bring your shoes in for evaluation. We’ll quote you a price based on the condition of your shoes.

If you don’t live near a store, you can still sell your shoes. Follow the steps in this guide and we can provide you with a quote.

We offer cash or store credit for your shoes. We base our offer on our resale price. Learn more about payment options here.

Sell your shoes

New arrivals on Leffot Pre-owned

Every Tuesday we release new shoes on Leffot Pre-owned, our marketplace for gently-worn, high-quality footwear. Today we’re featuring a few pairs in black calfskin, which we find isn’t as hard to wear as you might think it is.

Edward Green Pimlico – UK10/US10.5E.

30% off our Wolverine x Leffot 1000 Mile collaboration

Take 30% off our Wolverine x Leffot 1000 Mile collaboration. Made in Horween’s natural Chromexcel with single leather soles, they’re based on Wolverine’s archival pattern and designed to meticulously replicate the original. Best of all, they’re still made in America.

Features: Natural Chromexcel, Single Leather Soles

Edward Green Chelsea with Rubber Soles

The Chelsea is Edward Green’s most classic shoe, a cap toe balmoral made with an elegant silhouette and subtle detailing. This pair is made on slim rubber soles that are sleek, comfortable, and lightweight. Combined with their most versatile and rich leather, dark oak calfskin, you have one of the most beautiful and useful shoes you can find.

New arrivals to Leffot Pre-owned

Every Tuesday we release new shoes on Leffot Pre-owned, our marketplace for gently-worn, high-quality footwear. Today we’re featuring a few pairs that are worth your attention.

Viberg x Wings + Horns Plain Toe Boot – US 8.5D.

Quoddy Boat Moc, Natural CXL

The Quoddy Boat Moc features a Vibram rubber sole handsewn to the upper over a layer of cushioning for that classic moccasin profile and feel, but with all the advantages of Vibram grip and durability.

Features: Natural Chromexcel, Brown Vibram Wrap Soles

Announcing Leffot Pre-owned

We’re excited to announce our new pre-owned marketplace on leffot.com. We’re buying and selling high-quality pre-owned shoes. It’s all the brands you’d expect from us, plus a few more for good measure.

As a buyer in other online marketplaces, you never know exactly what you’re getting. We take the guesswork out of shopping so you can be confident in your purchase. We grade each pair and document them clearly. Best of all? We’re now accepting returns, so if they don’t work out, you can send them back.

For sellers, we offer cash or store credit in exchange for your shoes. For those not in New York or Chicago, we provide a prepaid shipping label so you can send your shoes to us without hassle.

30% off our Wolverine x Leffot 1000 Mile collaboration

Wolverine x Leffot 1000 Mile Boot.

Take 30% off our Wolverine x Leffot 1000 Mile collaboration. Made in Horween’s natural Chromexcel with single leather soles, they’re based on Wolverine’s archival pattern and designed to meticulously replicate the original. Best of all, they’re still made in America.

Features: Natural Chromexcel, Single Leather Soles

Edward Green Portland

These travel shoes are so lightweight and comfortable that you might forget you’re wearing them. Since they’re suede, they’re extremely soft and will form to the shape of your foot. Put them on, kick back, and enjoy your flight in style.

Features: 389 last, Navy Baby Calf Suede, Cemented Leather Soles

Nackymade sunglasses

Nackymade is all about glasses that fit well, are creatively designed, and crafted with love and care. Nacky respects the traditional way of making spectacles, and uses the best materials, such as Japanese plastic acetate and European antiques.

Nackymade sunglasses are handmade in Kobe, Japan. The Michael features a squared frame and keyhole bridge. Available in three colors.