The Best Shoe Shine Kits
Few things make you feel as fancy as a freshly shined pair of shoes. Many people think to make sure that each piece of their wardrobe is freshly pressed and wrinkle-free. They also make sure that their hair is perfectly styled and every little strand is in the right place. But oftentimes, aside from finding a pair of kicks to match the outfit, people neglect to really consider their shoes, even though having a shiny pair of shoes can really complete the entire look. And guess what? You can shine your shoes at home easily with the help of a shoe shine kit. If you’ve never bought a shoe shine kit, or you're looking to step yours up to the next level, here are the best ones to buy.
Stone & Clark 12PC Shoe Polish & Care Kit
Cheaper by the dozen
You’ll want to show off all of your shiny shoes once you’ve put this kit to work on them. This 12-piece package has all the steps and products to make your shoes look great and keep them looking great for a long time to come. Included are two wooden brushes, three different wax polishes, a buffing cloth, a shoehorn, and shine sponges. All your shining tools come in a PU leather case, making it easy to take with you while traveling. And if you have someone in your life that may want shiny shoes, too, this makes a great gift.
Pros:
- Comes with everything you need
- Includes a PU leather carrying case to keep everything together
- Makes for a wonderful gift
Cons:
- The brushes are made of hard plastic
Red Moose Full Leather Shoe Polish Kit
Top-notch kit
Leather shoes are some of the best that money can buy, but since it does take a lot of money to buy them, we want to keep them in shape. With the help of this leather shoe shine kit, you can keep them looking new long after your purchase. This option from Red Moose features horsehair bristle brushes that are soft and gentle enough to buff but strong enough to really shine them up. If your shoelaces need a little lift, this includes a pair of 45” waxed round laces to complete the whole look of your fancy, shiny shoes. The transparent carry case that all your shining tools come in ensures you have all the pieces to get your shoes shining again.
Pros:
- Comes with horsehair bristle brushes to buff your shoes safely and effectively
- Features a transparent carry case so you can see that you have all the pieces
- Comes with a bonus pair of waxed round shoelaces
Cons:
- The polish seems a bit watered down
Marz Deluxe Shoe Care Kit
Sparkle and shine
Want to keep your shoes looking good but don’t want to pay a significant sum of money to do so? We do too, and we have good news: this Marz shoe care kit is everything you need to keep your shoes shiny — and it’s not going to cost you much. It comes with a horsehair brush, two applicator sponges, black polish, neutral polish, a shoehorn, and a buffing/shining cloth. All of these come in small sizes so that they’re easy to pack with you to take wherever you go. Shoe shining on the go is even easier thanks to the lightweight PU leather case that is included.
Pros:
- Small enough to take with you on the go
- Comes with a 100% horsehair brush
- Has 2 different polish colors to use for different leathers
Cons:
- The bristles on the brush may fall out
FootMatters Professional Shoe Shine Valet Kit
It’s what’s on the inside that counts, but we would be lying if we said the outside didn’t lure us in. That is definitely the case with this shoe shine kit. The box that all your shoe shine goodies come in is a beautiful hardwood box complete with a sliding top. Inside the box, you’ll find all the supplies you need to bring your shoes back to life. You may even find yourself using the box for something else in your house or putting it on display because it’s so darn nice looking. When it comes to the contents, we love that this package comes with waterproof beeswax paste to use on your shoes. It is recommended to use on leather, vinyl, and canvas shoes as well as boots, jackets, belts, bags, purses, and briefcases.
Pros:
- Comes in a beautiful hardwood box that makes for a great display piece
- Comes with waterproof beeswax paste
- Can be used on a variety of materials
Cons:
- The box isn’t especially sturdy
Sansent Electric Shoe Shine Kit
No elbow grease required
Save yourself some time and some hard work by getting a shoe shine kit with an electric shoe polisher. With this thing, you’ll only need a few minutes to get your shoes shining. The battery on the polisher lasts 1.5 hours after a complete charge, and that charge can happen via a small power bank or a USB cable. The polisher is small and lightweight, thus easy to take with you when traveling. It includes different brush heads for different shoes and their specific needs. You’ll also get a cleaning cloth and 2 small oil brushes.
Pros:
- Features an electric polisher that takes the hard work out of shining
- The polisher charges using a small power bank or a USB cable
- Small and convenient to take with you on the go
Cons:
- The polisher stops working if too much pressure is put on it
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a shoe shine kit?
A shoe shine kit typically includes a horsehair brush, polishing cloths, polish, and a carry bag to put it all in. Some may have more than those things, but those are the bare minimum items you need to properly shine your shoes.
How often do I need to shine my shoes?
Basic cleaning with a damp rag is something you should do regularly. However, a full polish routine should be done when the shoes start to lose their shine. The frequency of this depends on how often you wear the shoes.
Do you need to shine new shoes?
Yes, it is a good idea to shine new shoes to help keep them in good condition from day 1.
Does polishing shoes protect them?
The polishing itself doesn’t protect the shoes, but the conditioning that is done as part of the process is what protects your shoes from outside forces. By doing this regularly, you give your shoes a longer life.
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