I’ve been wondering, how does one achieve that wet, almost metallic shine that upper level riders’ boots have?
I’m an eventer, and I currently only have a pair of field boots, and despite the best cleaning, conditioning, and polishing I can do, I’ve never had them THAT shiny. Is it a difference in the leather, or a special polishing technique/polish type?
First off, anyone who tells you its from old fashioned elbow grease and shoe polish is a liar :lol:. I use Kiwi Premier Shine, it takes 1 minute to apply, let dry a few more minutes and done. I get compliments all the time on my boots. Just be sure to carry a damp rag and wipe the dust off before you ride.
Oh, I knew it had to be something other than generic leather conditioner and regular black Kiwi polish!
Step one: STOP over cleaning and conditioning the boots with saddle treatments!!! I never put anything on my boots except polish. The polish retains the natural moisture and creates a water barrier to protect the boots. Conditioning will also break down the boot faster, so that is to be avoided.
So, to the shiny part. Any polish will work but the solid (vs cream) polishes work better for me. I also like the “kiwi parade hi-gloss” polish, but it is hard to find.
For High-Shine:
After following the steps above:
The more often you shine the boots, the better the shine will get.
it’s call a spit shine for a reason! I also hear nylon socks/stockings work well as shining cloth.
Kiwi shoe polish and elbow grease, yep, that’s the formula! :yes:
little fancy pants: that’s a quick fix that looks decent, but it’s not the best thing for your boots in the long term. On the other hand I like my boots to stay in show condition without breaking down for years of daily riding, so I’m different, but not a liar. While you think people are being are being untruthful, it is more likely that you have not been properly shown how to polish.
Here’s my secret-- not to brag, but I’ve made it thru multiple Pony Club ratings and rallies, and got quite a few compliments on my boots at events…
-Clean with a damp rag, and castile soap for the really grungy spots
-Polish with a DAMP flannel rag- (the damp and flannel are key)
-Buff the heck out of them with an old nylon stocking. The boots will look really dull until this step. This is were elbow grease comes into play.
I could get even my tatty second hand boots to look pretty spiffy this way. Good luck!
I’ve seen dressage boots made with patent leather uppers.
Using nylons to buff is a very easy way to get a boot shiny post applying polish.
I always shinemy boots. But one thing that a dressage pro once told me is that after polishing to:
take some floor polish liquid (its clear, I think the name starts with an “F”)and rub on the outside/ toes of the boots for that extra OOOLLLAAALLAAAA. It works greats and easy to wipe off the dust.
To remove it just apply some windex. Haven’t had a problem with it on my boots or breaking down the leather. My Konigs have been looking great since I bought them in 2002.
Kiwi makes a silicon product that I use to get a high gloss on my boots AFTER all of the elbow grease and polish mentioned above. Look for it where you find their shoe polish. It’s a great way to really get an super glossy look.
(polish boots like waxing a car - lots of thin coats with buffing in between gets the ultimate shine).
Please note, some boots (like the mountain horse field boots) have a slightly flatter finish than some of the dress boots. It’s all based on how the leather is treated by the boot manufacturer - and you’ll find some of the softer leathers just don’t reach the same gloss. Most dress boots will attain a higher level of gloss.
(I LUV to polish boots, it reminds me of being a kid).
My routine is pretty much the same as flyracing’s. Except, after I’ve wiped my boots off, I use Bick 4 Leather Conditioner, buff them, then do the two coats of polish (I use Kiwi). And the more you polish them this way, the better they look. I ride 4-5 times/week and I do my boots about once a month. In between, I just wipe them off with a damp rag and give them a quick buff.
Stop conditioning. The conditioner pulls the shine, and the outside of your boot should never need it. You can use conditioner on the inside if you must, where the ankle breaks and there’s sweat, or on the foot if the boots get soaked. Save it for special occasions, and don’t use oil, use specific leather condtitioner.
I never actually clean the outside leg of my boots. They don’t get sweat or mud up there. Just wipe off the dust. No soap, no water, no conditioner.
I get a very bright finish using just the kiwi paste. You want to let the polish dry, and you want to use a very soft, slippery sort of cloth - flannel is excellent, or soft knit nylon works well too. Multiple layers add to the shine.
Most top riders have patent leather boots.
They don’t need polishing you just wipe them over to clean the dirt off then buff them with a clean cloth.
Don’t over condition.
Use Pledge or similar furniture polish for high shine finish.
You can also get a block/sponge to shine them with from any shoe repair place. Cost about $5.00
never use saddle soap or conditioner on the outside of the boot or the foot(you can do whatever you want to the side that is against the saddle
get URAD black boot cream (it is Italian, lots of tack stores now carry it) apply it, buff it, and you will be blinded, and, it will not come off on your pad or britches
Some hight end boots, like Pietre, has a built in shine. My ariats never can be as shiny as my Pietres.
Forget all the elbow grease. Use plain soap to clean dirt away, then…
Go to your grocery store and buy a Kiwi Parade Shine. Shake the bottle, paint it on evenly, allow to dry do it again. That glossy shine lasts for days if you will not use any wet products, but just will use dry plain towel to wipe your boots. Nothing can beat the Kiwi Parade Shine Paint-On. But do not apply too much, it will built up and flake off after a year or so.
Do not ever buff or use conditioner on your hight polish boots.
If you want a true mirror-shine, be ready to put in a couple of hours of work. The true spit-shine is all about layering.
The reward will be boots that easily shine up for the rest of the season with little work.
A couple of years ago I borrowed a pair of boots from a friend’s daughter for my first foxhunt. They were muddy and hadn’t had anything done with them for years. As I wanted to make a good impression I spit-shined them. Two hunt seasons later all you have to do is rinse them with water and buff them with a cloth and the shine comes right back.
Great description of how to do a proper spit-shine: http://www.cadetstuff.org/how_to/200201_elliott_bulling.htm
If you want to take it a step further: http://www.stompersboots.com/stompers_bootcare.php#SpitShine
I learned how to shine my boots from Dad – the spit-shine method.
Avoid anything with silicone in it. it’s bad for leather and will degrade it over time!
I’ve heard Pledge (as in the spray for dusting) does a great job. This being said, I hve not tried it myself and I do not know if it kills the leather!
My trick is that my dad was a Marine 
He works for hours on my boots, but they have a wonderful shine and they last forever. I am instructed to never ever use soap on my boots. black shoe polish, a old t-shirt and a little bit of water. Dip the T-shirt in polish, then in a little water (tiny amount) and then move in circles. Let harden and buff out with a boot brush.
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