Recommended by Quick Cobbler Ltd.

LUGGAGE REPAIR: Wanderlust Luggage Repair, 2273 Kingsway, 604.558.1913

LEATHER, HARDWARE, TOOLS RETAIL: Lonsdale Leather, 76 West 6th Ave., 604-873-6556

SKI, SNOWSHOE AND SNOWBOARD SERVICE: Vancouver Ski Services, 271 East 2nd Ave., 604-879-1833

CUSTOM LEATHER WORK & CUSTOM SHOES: Send email via www.quickcobbler.com contact us page.

To keep your footwear looking great, there are only four steps to follow:

1. Cleaning Smooth Leather Shoes
Remove dirt by brushing with a soft nylon brush, like an old toothbrush. Then clean with leather cleaner made specifically for smooth leathers, like 'Lexol Leather Cleaner' or 'Foamtex cleaner'. After cleaning, let the shoes dry for a few minutes.

2. Conditioning Smooth Leather Shoes
Conditioning your leather shoes will help soften and moisturize the leather, and protect them from drying out and cracking. Rub small amounts of conditioner into the shoe as the leather will only absorb what it can. We recommend 'Lexol Leather Conditioner'. Leather conditioners will temporarily darken lighter coloured leathers, but they will return to their initial colour quickly.

3. Polishing Your Smooth Leather Shoes
The best type shoe polishes are cream and paste. Shoe polish paste will get you the best shine, but it takes a bit of work! Shoe polish cream is available in more colours and applies easier than the paste. We recommend 'Famaco' shoe cream and paste polish. For an even better shine, we also carry 'Saphir Mèdaille d’Or', generally regarded to be world's best polish and cream!   

Rub small amounts of polish into the shoe with a soft cloth or dauber brush, and allow it to be absorbed into the leather. After a few minutes, shine your shoes by buffing them with a soft cloth or shoe shine brush made of horse hair.

4. Protecting Your Footwear Investment
Weatherproofing your leather shoes will help to protect them from water and other elements that can ruin the finish and shorten the life of your shoes. Weatherproofers come in two types: Wax based Waterproofers and Spray protectors.
Wax forms a protective layer over the surface of the shoe or boot and is absorbed into the leather. This provides a better barrier against water, but the wax and oil may darken and/or alter the appearance of the leather. We recommend 'Montana Pitch Blend'.
If the appearance of the shoe or boot is of more importance than waterproofing, a spray protectant should do the trick. By providing a breathable barrier against mild to moderate wet conditions and dirt, this type of weatherproofing product is virtually invisible on your shoes or boots. Please ask us for 'FAMACO spray Protector'. This protector spray is also suitable for Suede, Nubuck and Fabric footwear.
To keep your footwear last longer and look better we also recommend Shoe Trees and Boot Shapers.
That's it!
Come see us for all your shoe care products.

Things to consider when buying shoes...

Do they fit?
When trying shoes on in the store, don't be afraid to keep them on your feet and walk around for five to ten minutes to see how they really feel. Does the heel slip when you're walking? Do your toes have enough space in the toe box? If you wear orthotics, do they fit in the shoe? Can you get the zipper done up easily? These are all things to consider before making the purchase. Minor modifications can be done by us to make a shoe more comfortable, but starting off with a shoe that is for the most part a good fit helps us to make it the perfect fit. If in doubt, check that the shoes are returnable before purchasing them. Then bring them in and we'll let you know what can and can't be done.

If you are thinking about buying shoes online...
Don't!
No matter what major online shoe retailers want you to believe, the only way to make sure a shoe or boot fits is to actually try them on. Duhh!

Shoe brands frequently change their sizing, styles, fit and designs.  Even if you buy a shoe online identical to a great fitting pair you already own, there is absolutely no guarantee this new pair will fit the same!

What will you be using them for?
It's worth considering whether the shoes you're buying were designed to be used in the way you intend to wear them.

Leather or plastic?
Plastic, vinyl, pleather and other synthetic 'leathers' do not breath, are non-biodegradable, are weak under strain, and generally make for an un-repairable shoe.
If you have the choice, we recommend going with leather. Period.
Sorry Vegans.

Are you shopping at a reputable shoe store?
Even a good shoe from a trusted brand can have flaws. Whether it is due to being manufactured on Monday morning, or due to the design, the materials or craftsmanship. When a shoe doesn't hold up it's nice to know your retailer will help you out.

Less is more.
In keeping with our mission to keep your shoes from being disposable, we suggest that you shop by this simple rule: quality over quantity. A quality shoe with quality maintenance should last for many, many years.

You get what you pay for.
Buy the best quality you can afford. High quality generally makes for a more repairable shoe. The shoe lasts longer, looks better and is therefore a better long term investment. This makes you look very smart!