Want to feel confident going into a business meeting? Or perhaps you're just tired of having dirty-looking shoes? Having polished and buffed shoes can make a huge difference! Not only does it show a little about your personality, but it also makes a great first impression on people you meet. The key to maintaining pristine, classy shoes is easy; all you need is your very own shoe polishing kit.
Whether you want to polish leather boots or white sneakers, the right shoe polishing kit will get the job done. We've searched for the best kits online, and Stone and Clark's Shoe Polish and Care Kit is our favorite. This kit comes with a range of brushes and multiple polishes. Read on to see the other products on our top 10 list! Plus, our handy buying guide will article will steer you in the right direction when buying your polishing kit.
Quick List - Top Shoe Polish Kits
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We've made this buying guide to help you find the best shoe polish kit. We've explained everything you should consider, from the types of wax to the tools you'll need.
The journey to get that new, out-of-the-box look for your shoes begins with a trusty shoe polish kit. The first step is to look for these essential items.
Ensure that the kit has a brush. Ideally, it should be made from horsehair, as these bristles have the right texture to remove dirt without damaging your shoes. You can also use brushes made from goat or yak hair.
We recommend avoiding brushes made from synthetic fibers since they can damage your shoes. Some kits even come with two brushes: one for applying the polish and one for shining and cleaning the shoe.
Next, check that the kit has a cloth. A cloth removes and dries out the polish on your shoes. The best material to use is cotton or a lint-free fabric; these are soft and won't scratch your shoes. Some kits come with multiple brushes and cloths for an in-depth cleaning process.
Shoe polish kits typically come with black or brown polishes, waxes, or creams. If you plan to clean brown boots, make sure to get a brown polish. Don't attempt to use a different color of polish on your shoes. This will lead to discoloration and damage your shoes over time!
If your leather boots have a specific shade other than brown or black, it is advisable to get polish in the same color as your shoes.
There are two types of polish you can choose from depending on what kind of results you're looking for.
Shoe wax gives a glass-like, shiny polish and offers a tiny protective layer against scuffs and scratches. This polish is usually made from beeswax or materials with similar properties.
Although it takes some time and effort to shine and polish a shoe using wax, the polish only sits on the surface and isn't absorbed by the leather. You can use a combination of wax and cream polish for a deep moisturizing shine.
A downside of wax is that it acts as a sealant, shortening the life of your shoe by not letting it breathe. You can think of wax as a layer of tape wrapped around your shoe. If leather doesn't get the moisture it needs, it will crack more easily and look dry.
Using polishing cream lengthens the leather’s lifespan and doesn't offer a strong shrine. This type of oil-based polish provides a matte finish and restores the leather’s moisture and color. These are great to use on leathers that are looking extra dry and rough.
Polishing creams are easier to use than wax, making them a good choice for beginners. If you’re after a glossy shine, go for wax polishes instead.
Generally, there are three types of shoe polish kits sold online that differ in their use and portability.
If it’s your first time polishing shoes and you don’t want to be overwhelmed with multiple products, a travel kit is ideal for you. This type of shoe kit is stripped down to the bare essentials and is compact for easy transport.
Items in a travel kit are made smaller for convenience but are often less durable due to their smaller sizes or lower-quality materials. However, a travel kit is also great for one-time polishers that just want to try their hand at shoe shining.
A deluxe kit contains high-quality products and a range of brushes, cloths, and polish shade options. This type of kit offers a complete shoe treatment.
It also often includes a shoe form that is inserted into the body of a shoe during shining. Shoe forms are made from wood or plastic and keep the shape of your shoe during polishing.
Another type of shoe polish kit available is specifically for maintaining leather shoes. These leather kits have additional nourishing products, including the essential shoe polish items, like conditioner, oil, and saddle soap. Saddle soap is a multitasking product that can clean, polish, and condition leather.
Leather products should regularly be moisturized to keep them from cracking and drying out. After polishing it with wax or cream, use conditioner and oil should every eight to six weeks.
These handheld devices are battery operated and work like an electric toothbrush. Electric brushes often include different brush sizes and bristles. However, shoe kits with an electric polisher typically don't include polishes.
If you’re running late for work but still want to shine your shoes, opting for an electric shoe polisher is your safest bet. You can usually shine your shoes in under one minute!
A drawback of an electric shoe polisher is that you’re often can't change the brush’s strength and are bound to certain leathers.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Stone & Clark Shoe Polish & Care Kit | ![]() | A Complete Polish Kit Great for Beginners | |
2 | OrthoStep Boot Cleaning Kit | ![]() | A Shoe Kit That's Perfect for Boots | |
3 | Kiwi Shoe Shine and Shoe Polish Kit | ![]() | A Leather Care Kit That Gives a Deep Shine | |
4 | Alloda White Shoe Cleaner | ![]() | Shine Sneakers and Whiten Shoes With This Polish | |
5 | The King's Shoes Electric Shoe Polisher Kit | ![]() | Use an Electric Shoe Polisher for a Quick Shine | |
6 | Kiwi Shoe Care Valet Kit | ![]() | A Shoe Polish Kit With a Foot Pedal | |
7 | Maximilian Professional Neutral Shoe Polish | ![]() | Well-Designed Kit With a Neutral Polish | |
8 | Bickmore Leather Shoe & Boot Travel Care Kit | ![]() | On-the-Go Kit for Travelers | |
9 | Moneysworth & Best Military Shoe Shine Kit | ![]() | A Care Kit for Military and Service Shoes | |
10 | Otter Wax Leather Care Kit | ![]() | A Handmade Eco-Friendly Leather Care Kit |
This shoe polish kit has all of the items you need to transform dull shoes, like horsehair brushes and polishing cloths. It also includes three colors of wax polish: black, brown, and neutral. Store all the tools in a compact leather case that's about nine inches long and three inches wide.
Some buyers said that the wax only lasted for one to two shines. Past this, reviewers loved the completeness of the kit. They also praised its portability, saying it's ideal for traveling or keeping at the office. A lot of buyers also recommended this kit to first-timers since it has everything you'll need.
OrthoStep's Boot Cleaning Kit is complete with long-handled brushes, a microfiber cloth, and two polishing creams in black and brown. You even get two pairs of shoelaces. You can also use the cream polish on other leather items, like handbags, wallets, and even furniture.
Some customers said the brush bristles started shedding after a few uses. Other than that, users said that this kit is easy to use and includes everything they need. They also liked the handy pouch the products came in, saying it's compact enough to bring with them on the go.
This leather care kit is designed to make dull, worn-out leather look new again. It has all the necessary tools to care for your leather shoes. Plus, Kiwi's wax polishes do a great job of shining and protecting footwear while providing some water protection!
A few reviewers said that the brown polish shade was very close to black, advising not to use it on boots with a light brown shade. However, most buyers loved this leather care kit's equipment and nourishing waxes, saying it does a great job of bringing color to very worn-out shoes.
Remove stains and dirt on your white sneakers with this shoe cleaner and polish. Simply spray your shoes, gently brush them, and wipe off the dirt. It includes tape if you want to avoid cleaning non-white areas. However, this kit isn't suitable for suede or nubuck.
A few reviewers said that the shoe cleaner had a bit of an unpleasant smell. Meanwhile, buyers liked that this kit is easy to use and effective. Many said that their old, dirty shoes look a lot cleaner after using these products!
If you find brushing the soles of your shoes repeatedly to get that perfect shine tedious, it's time to get your hands on an electric shoe polisher. This handheld battery-operated polisher comes with six brushes that attach to the head using a magnet. Plus, there are three different speed levels.
Some reviewers said that the device eats up batteries quite quickly and doesn't move fast enough. Nonetheless, customers loved that it comes with a variety of brushes and creams, as well as batteries. They also appreciated that it's durable and creates a good shine.
This shoe care valet kit has an impressive 10 products to help you get the best results. The valet box has a foot pedal attached to the lid that lets you prop your footwear for an easier shine. It also includes shoe polishing essentials, like horsehair brushes, two shoe polishes, and cloths.
Many buyers had problems with the box's latch, saying that it broke after a short time. On a positive note, the sleek design, quality items, and handy attached footstool were all well received. Many also commented that the unique case makes this product a great gift!
This vintage-looking kit includes a neutral cream polish suitable for all colors of shoes. Maximilian's cream polish is suitable for leather shoes, boots, wallets, and other leather products. The cream adds shine and moisture, making leather look much healthier.
Some reviewers had problems with the polish dripping inside the box. Be sure to give the lid an extra tight squeeze to close it after use. Apart from this, most buyers liked the effectiveness of the neutral cream and the box's class design. Many people also liked giving this kit as a gift!
Do you like to keep your leather shoes in top-notch condition while traveling? With this small kit, you can pass airport security without any worries! The kit has a leather cleaner and leather conditioner for boots and other leather products. A cleaning cloth and instruction manual are also included.
A couple of reviewers didn't like the cleaning solution as much as the conditioner, saying it couldn't remove difficult stains. Other than that, reviewers liked how the conditioner gave their old footwear a hydrated appearance. The travel pouch was a plus for a lot of buyers as well.
Achieve a military shine with this care kit made especially for leather military and service shoes. It includes the essentials, like two styles of horsehair brushes. Each plastic pouch contains all the essentials needed for your footwear. The bag comes with a handle for easier transport, too.
Reviewers complained about the bristles falling out after a few uses. However, buyers liked how this kit is compact and complete. They also appreciated that the polish gives their shoes a nice shine. Those in military school loved this product, too!
This kit contains products made from natural ingredients handmade in Oregon. The polishes are free of harmful chemicals, silicone, petroleum, and animal fats. Each box has a saddle soap to clean and polish leather. It also comes with wax, leather salve, and leather oil. However, no brushes or cloths are included.
Some buyers wished that this kit came with an instructional pamphlet explaining the application procedure. Past this, many loved how the products restore their leather shoes, boots, and other items. They confirmed that it makes leather soft and new-looking.
Since you wear shoes for hours every day, it's important to take care of your footwear. Take a look at these other products made especially for your shoes!
No. 1: Stone & Clark|Shoe Polish & Care Kit
No. 2: OrthoStep|Boot Cleaning Kit
No. 3: Kiwi|Shoe Shine and Shoe Polish Kit
No. 4: Alloda|White Shoe Cleaner
No. 5: The King's Shoes|Electric Shoe Polisher Kit
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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