Van Bommel Chestnut Shoe Polish 378 – 60ml Nourishing Cream for Smooth Leather

Description

Van Bommel Chestnut Shoe Polish 378 – 60ml Nourishing Cream for Smooth Leather — the shoemaker’s own cream, in the shade their leather was made for

There is a lot to be said for using the shoemaker’s own cream on the shoemaker’s own shoes. Van Bommel have been making footwear since the eighteenth century, and the leather they choose has a particular warmth to it that a generic mid-brown never quite catches. Their chestnut shoe polish is mixed to sit exactly on that tone.

It is a nourishing cream rather than a hard wax. That means it cleans as it goes on, feeds the leather with the oils and waxes it needs to stay supple, and lays down enough pigment to bring the colour back where the toe cap has gone pale. One product, three jobs, about ten minutes of work.

Chestnut is a warm mid-brown with a reddish note in it. It suits tan and cognac uppers as well as true chestnut ones, and it is the shade I most often reach for when someone brings in a brown Derby that has faded rather than scuffed. It flatters the leather instead of flattening it.

The jar holds 60ml, which is a proper amount of cream for a shoe you apply in thin layers. Keep the lid screwed down and it will still be usable in years to come. At £7.49 it is a sensible bit of maintenance for shoes that cost a great deal more than that.

Why choose the Van Bommel chestnut shoe polish?

• Matched to the shoemaker’s leather – The shade is mixed for the tones Van Bommel actually use, so it blends in rather than sitting a fraction too cool or too dark on the upper.
• Cleans, feeds and colours in one – You are not using three products and three cloths. A thin layer lifts light grime, replaces the oils and waxes, and refreshes the tone at the same time.
• Keeps the leather supple – Dry leather cracks along the flex line across the vamp, and once it has cracked nothing brings it back. Regular feeding is the only real prevention.
• Covers pale wear on the toe – Toe caps and heel edges lose colour first. The pigment load here is enough to even them out without making the shoe look painted.
• Buffs to a soft, natural shine – The finish is a warm sheen rather than a mirror. That is what you want on a good brown leather; a glassy shine on a casual Derby looks wrong.
• Suits tan and cognac shoes too – Chestnut is a forgiving warm brown, so it works across a range of mid-brown leathers rather than only on one exact factory shade.

How to use the Van Bommel chestnut shoe polish

1. Unlace the shoes and brush them down with a dirt brush so there is no grit left to be rubbed into the leather.
2. For a really good result, clean them first with a lotion, leather cleaner or renovator to lift the old build-up out of the pores.
3. Let the shoes dry fully at room temperature. Applying cream to damp leather traps the moisture underneath, which is exactly what you do not want.
4. Take a small amount of cream on a dauber brush or a polishing cloth and work it into the leather in circular motions, covering the whole upper.
5. Let it soak in for ten minutes or so. This is the step that does the actual nourishing, and it is the one people skip.
6. Buff with a horsehair polishing brush, then finish with a soft cloth for the shine. Repeat with a second thin layer if the toe still looks pale.

Specifications

• Volume: 60ml
• Shade: 378 Chestnut
• Type: Nourishing, pigmented shoe cream
• Suitable for: Smooth leather shoes, boots and bags
• Function: Cleans, feeds and refreshes colour
• Brand: Van Bommel
• Finish: Soft, natural sheen

Frequently asked questions

Can I use it on shoes from other brands?

Absolutely. There is nothing in the formula that only works on one make of shoe. It is a good quality nourishing cream in a warm chestnut tone, and it will do the same job on any smooth leather upper in a similar shade.

Is this a cream or a wax polish?

It is a cream, which is the one you want for feeding and colour. Creams carry more pigment and more nourishment; hard wax polishes carry more shine but very little care. If you want a mirror finish on the toe cap, use this first and a wax over the top.

Where can I buy the Van Bommel Chestnut Shoe Polish in the UK?

You can order the Van Bommel Chestnut Shoe Polish 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.