Saphir Medaille d’Or Colourless Pommadier Shoe Cream 02 – 75ml Creme 1925

Description

Saphir Medaille d’Or Colourless Pommadier Shoe Cream 02 — the one jar that works on every pair

If you keep only one tin of shoe cream in the house, a colourless pommadier shoe cream is the sensible choice, because it feeds and protects smooth leather of every shade without committing you to a colour. This is the Pommadier from the Medaille d Or line, which most people who care about shoes will tell you is about as good as shoe cream gets. It earned its name the hard way: the formula took the gold medal in Paris in 1925.

What is inside is refreshingly short. Mink oil to nourish and keep the fibres supple, natural beeswax for a soft protective barrier, and carnauba wax for the shine that comes up under a cloth. There are no cheap fillers padding out the jar, which is why a small amount goes so much further than you expect and why a 75ml pot lasts most people a couple of years.

Because it carries no pigment, this one is equally at home on black oxfords, tan brogues and burgundy loafers. It is also the safest choice on a shade you cannot quite match, or on a pair with contrast stitching you would rather not tint.

Why choose this colourless pommadier shoe cream?

• One jar covers every colour in the wardrobe. With no pigment to match, you can use the same cream on black, brown, tan and oxblood without ever worrying about getting the shade wrong.
• Mink oil, beeswax and carnauba, and very little else. It is a genuinely natural formula, which is why it feeds dry leather rather than simply glossing over it for an afternoon.
• It keeps the leather supple, not just shiny. Regular use stops the flex creases across the vamp from hardening into cracks, and that is what actually decides how long a pair lasts.
• A little goes a very long way. You want no more than a fingernail of cream per shoe, so a 75ml jar comfortably sees most people through several years of regular polishing.
• It builds a proper base for a wax shine. Nourish with Pommadier first and any high-shine wax you use afterwards will sit better and last considerably longer.
• The Medaille d’Or standard. Saphir has been making leather care in France since 1920, and this is the line their own workshops reach for.

How to use Saphir Pommadier on smooth leather

Cream works best on clean, dry leather, so give the pair a proper going-over before you open the jar.

1. Brush the pair down with a horsehair brush to take off dust and grit, and pay attention to the welt where dirt collects.
2. If they have been neglected for a while, clean and feed them first with a renovating lotion so the cream has something to work into.
3. Take a very small amount of cream on a soft cloth or a dauber brush, no more than a fingernail per shoe.
4. Work it into the leather in small circles, covering the vamp, quarters and heel evenly, and do not forget the tongue.
5. Let the pair rest for ten to fifteen minutes so the oils and waxes can sink in properly.
6. Buff with a clean brush or cloth until an even sheen comes up, and add a wax polish on the toes if you want a mirror finish.

My tip from behind the counter

The commonest mistake I see is far too much cream. Shoe cream is not a barrier you paint on; it is a food that the leather has to absorb, and anything the leather cannot take simply sits there collecting dust and dulling the finish. Use half what you think you need, and if the leather still looks thirsty after twenty minutes, do a second thin application rather than one heavy one. And do give the pair a full day between polishing and wearing if you possibly can, because leather that has been fed and rested holds a shine far better.

Specifications

• Volume: 75ml glass jar
• Type: Nourishing pigmented-free shoe cream
• Colour: Colourless 02, neutral on every shade
• Key ingredients: Mink oil, natural beeswax, carnauba wax
• Suitable for: Smooth leather shoes, boots, belts and small leather goods
• Not suitable for: Suede, nubuck and patent leather
• Brand: Saphir Medaille d’Or
• Price: £18.99

Frequently asked questions

Will a neutral cream restore faded colour?

It will deepen and revive the existing colour by feeding the leather, which often looks like a restoration, but it adds no pigment of its own. If a pair has genuinely worn through to pale patches at the toes, you want the matching coloured Pommadier for those areas and this one everywhere else.

How often should I be using it?

For shoes in regular rotation, once every eight to ten wears is about right, with a brush-down after each wearing in between. Boots that go out in winter rain will want it more often. Over-creaming does no favours, so let the leather tell you.

Can I use it on suede or nubuck?

No, and this is worth being clear about. Pommadier is made for smooth, finished leather, and the oils and waxes in it will mat the nap of suede or nubuck flat and leave dark greasy patches you cannot brush out. For suede you want a dedicated brush, a suede cleaner and a colour reviver instead. The same goes for patent leather, which needs a specific patent cleaner rather than a cream.

Where can I buy the Saphir Medaille d’Or Colourless Pommadier Shoe Cream 02 – 75ml Creme 1925 in the UK?

You can order the Saphir Medaille d’Or Colourless Pommadier Shoe Cream 02 – 75ml Creme 1925 directly from Shoespecialist.co.uk. We offer free delivery on orders over £50, same-day dispatch when you order before 5pm, and a 60-day return policy. Order before 5pm and it leaves the same day.