Most people will judge a man by the shoes he is wearing. Wearing a well-maintained, elegant pair of shoes is one of the most powerful style statements that any man could make. But with the price tag on good shoes ranging anywhere from $100 to well over $1,000, that statement is not cheap to make.

Here are some things you should do if you want to make your sole investments last longer.

Think of Water as the Enemy!
One of the primary commandments of maintaining any article made of leather is to protect it from water. Remember that leather comes from a biological source, so moisture tends to wreak havoc on the material and undo the treatments that were painstakingly applied to it. Water repellent treatments, usually available in cans or bottles for under $10, should be applied as soon as you get your shoes, and before you first use them.

Before applying the repellent, wipe the entire shoe down with a warm cloth (you can leave a rag over the heater to warm it). Aside from removing any dust and debris that might get trapped in the leathers finish, the heat dilates the pores on the surface of the leather. This improves the absorption of the chemical into the material, making for more thorough and long-lasting protection. Reapply repellent as necessary or instructed.

Polish Makes Perfect
Shoe polish does more than just clean your shoes. Aside from helping maintain the appearance of the leather, the chemicals in modern polishes also act as a treatment for the shoe. They help moisturize the leather, extending its lifespan considerably in the long run. You may want to use a professional-grade, cream-based polish instead of that liquid stuff in easy-apply bottles, as the former has much better moisturizing properties.

Polishes come in a variety of colors and quite a wide range of blacks and browns. When choosing shoe polish, it is a good idea to bring the intended pair of shoes along with you to the store. It will help you get just the right shade so that your prized pair does not end up with discolorations, streaks or a patina because of the differences in shade.

Good Shoes Do Not Grow on Trees
With all the disposable leather shoes nowadays, not everyone appreciates the value of shoetrees. You have to remember that leather is not a fixed material; it has a tendency to shrink or expand, conforming to the shape of your foot and mechanical pressure. Shoetrees fill out the main body of the shoe, making it conform to the default shape and smoothing out and crinkles and creases.

Cedar is the prime wood for shoetrees because it has the unusual ability to absorb smells and odors from within the shoe. It can also absorb some amount of moisture, minimizing the H2O that makes contact with the leather. Although professional shoe shops sell cedar shoetrees for upwards of $20, the benefits are well worth the expense.

Maintaining leather shoes is a process, an ongoing commitment. While you are still planning to wear that pair of leathers, you are best off doing all these things to make it last for as long as possible.

Especially the athletes need some special kind of shoes that will help them to play their role of successful player to a great extent. Be it football or cricket or basketball or wrestling or any sports the footwear plays a very fundamental task in the competition. It is quite obvious that the different kinds of athletic footwear are made for different purposes. These kinds of shoes are generally not for every day wear and common non sports person generally don’t wear these shoes. Basketball players wear different footwear than the football players and runners are not going to wear the tennis player’s shoes. Sometimes people wear the shoes for jogging or running purposes or those who have special interest in sports also. But the main part that is very important is that of choosing the Athletic footwear.

There are large varieties of Athletic footwear available in the market like laces or Pump or Velcro from many brands like Reebok or Adidas or Nike. But it is very important to choose the right one that will correctly serve the purpose. So the deciding factors for athletic footwear are many. When you are going to buy the much desired Athletic footwear you must keep in mind some factors that may effects the purchase. First thing that comes to mind is that of price. You will get various types of Athletic footwear and that too in many ranges. But it does not mean that you will need to pour out all your savings on the new pair. You must compare various types of Athletic footwear and search for the most suitable one and that too affordable by your capacity.

Comfort is the reason for which people buy the footwear. So while you are shopping for the shoe see to that your comfort is not compromised because you are paying high price for it. The shoes must be durable and that it can survive some poor weather conditions. See to the fact that your shoe is multitalented so that it goes well with your every day routine and your lifestyle. Design is equally important when you are buying the Athletic footwear. You will find many latest designs that are out in the market. Get the shoe that has a good look and modern in design that will suit your persona.