Build Your Own Shoe Shine Kit

This is my current basic shoe shine kit.

A shoe shine kit is an essential item for any man.  More and more I see that shoe shining really is a lost art.  Far too often I see dull shoes.  Even a cheap dress shoe will look like a million bucks with a good shine.  Polishing your shoes will not only protect and condition the leather but will ensure that you always present a polished and professional image.  Shined shoes display your attention to detail in your life.  It is an outward sign of the unforgettable man.

You can purchase an already put together shoe shine kit.   These shoe shine kits are pretty good.  They will get the job done.  I have noticed that the bags could be a little stronger and that the tins of polish are a smaller size.  These would be great for someone new to shoe shining or as a travel kit.

In my experience, the best way to shine shoes is to put together your own shoe shine kit. I learned how to put together a great shoe shine kit from my retired Army officer father.  I remember when I was a kid sitting next to him in the living room with newspapers spread on the floor while he polished his shoes and boots.  There were tins of Kiwi black polish and his well used horsehair brush. I recall the excitement I had as a small boy to see his shoes come out with a military spit shine gloss on them.  I learned that a good shoe shine is important.  It says something about the kind of man you are.  I learned that every man needs to put together his own quality shoe shine kit.

 A shoe shine kit should be made up of quality pieces.  A good horsehair shine brush and applicator can last many years.  Premium polish tins require using less product to get even coverage on the shoe. You will want to make sure you have a tin of  polish for each color of shoes you have: Black, Brown, and Cordovan (the reddish brown leather) or Neutral.    I have always used Kiwi brand polish and have found great success with it. Choose shine rags that are soft and durable to ensure they will last.  It is best to keep your kit together in a small durable bag.  A nice leather or tough nylon men’s travel bag, also known as a dopp bag, can serve as a perfect bag for your shoe shine kit.  The dopp bag I use for my shoe shine kit has lasted for about 15 years.

The unforgettable man remembers that details and quality are the outward expression of the inner commitment to live to a higher standard.  Building your own shoe shine kit ensures you have the tools needed to look your best and connect to the lost art of shoe shining.  Perhaps just like my father did, you too can pass on the art of shoe shining to your sons.