Caring for your Berwick 1707

Following these tips will help to maintain the appearance and extend the life of your Berwick 1707:

  • Always try to use shoehorns. This will protect the heel counter or rigid piece that forms and reinforces the heel, and is essential to maintain a correct fit.
  • Loosen the laces as much as possible, both when putting on and taking off the shoes, to avoid deformation of the shoe.
  • Do not wear your shoes for two or three days in a row. It takes more than 24 hours for the sweat produced by the foot to evaporate from the shoe; an excess of accumulated moisture will contribute to the formation of cracks in the skin as it dries. In addition, for anatomical reasons, it is recommended to vary your footwear from time to time.
  • Do not dry your shoes near a heat source after a rainy day, as this can cause the leather to "stiffen" and the grain (outer part) of the leather to crack. Drying should take place naturally, which can be helped by inserting newspaper inside the shoe. The remains of mud should be removed with a damp sponge. When the shoe is dry, a thin layer of cream should be applied with a cloth and spread with a soft brush.
  • Use extendable shoe trees or lasts. The best ones are made of cedar wood. They help to remove wrinkles from the vamp and maintain the volume and shape that the last gave the shoe.
  • Use a quality shoe care cream or shoe polish. Both products are equally effective, with the shoe polish getting, if anything, a little more shine during brushing. The rule of thumb would be to apply a small amount of product with a used cloth, then brush and finish with a chamois cloth. For a high gloss finish, the cloth should be slightly dampened with a few drops of water.
  • For shoes with greased leather, the leather is nourished and revitalised by applying a thin layer of cream. Afterwards, a small amount of horse grease or similar can be applied with a small sponge.
  • For suede leather there are copper bristle brushes and mixed bristle brushes with slightly less abrasive copper and nylon bristles, which will help to maintain the plushness of the leather.