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.
The best shoe shine kit can be a bit hard to identify because of the different items included. Here are our top 10 picks based on their items, polish type, and compactness.
$26.99
Brush | 2 horsehair brushes |
---|---|
Cloth | 3 cloths |
Polish | 1 black, 1 brown, and 1 neutral wax |
Extra items | 1 shoe horn, 2 shoe shine sponges, 1 leather case |
$16.35
Brush | 2 horsehair brushes |
---|---|
Cloth | 1 microfiber cloth |
Polish | 1 black and 1 brown cream |
Extra items | 1 pair of black shoelaces, 1 pair of brown shoelaces, 1 case |
$11.88
Brush | 1 brush |
---|---|
Cloth | 1 cloth |
Polish | 1 black and 1 brown wax |
Extra items | 2 sponge applicators, 1 case |
$14.93
Brush | 1 synthetic brush |
---|---|
Cloth | 1 cloth |
Polish | 1 shoe cleaner, 1 shoe polish |
Extra items | 1 tape |
$89.99
Brush | 3 swine bristle brushes, 3 cotton flannel brushes |
---|---|
Cloth | None |
Polish | 1 black and 1 brown cream, 1 leather conditioner |
Extra items | 4 AA batteries |
$48.99
Brush | 2 horsehair brushes |
---|---|
Cloth | 2 cloths |
Polish | 1 black and 1 brown polish |
Extra items | 1 shoehorn, 2 sponge daubers, 1 wooden valet box |
$25.99
Brush | 2 horsehair brushes |
---|---|
Cloth | 1 cloth |
Polish | 1 neutral cream |
Extra items | 1 shoehorn |
$9.99
Brush | None |
---|---|
Cloth | 1 cloth |
Polish | 1 leather cleaner, 1 leather conditioner |
Extra items | 1 travel pouch |
$14.99
Brush | 2 horsehair brushes |
---|---|
Cloth | 1 cloth |
Polish | 1 black paste |
Extra items | 1 travel pouch, 1 shoe horn |
$39.95
Brush | None |
---|---|
Cloth | None |
Polish | 1 boot wax |
Extra items | 1 saddle soap, 1 leather salve, 1 leather oil |
Image | 1 ![]() Stone & Clark | 2 ![]() OrthoStep | 3 ![]() Kiwi | 4 ![]() Alloda | 5 ![]() The King's Shoes | 6 ![]() Kiwi | 7 ![]() Maximilian | 8 ![]() Bickmore | 9 ![]() Moneysworth & Best | 10 ![]() Otter Wax |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Shoe Polish & Care Kit | Boot Cleaning Kit | Shoe Shine and Shoe Polish Kit | White Shoe Cleaner | Electric Shoe Polisher Kit | Shoe Care Valet Kit | Professional Neutral Shoe Polish | Leather Shoe & Boot Travel Care Kit | Military Shoe Shine Kit | Leather Care Kit |
Features | A Complete Polish Kit Great for Beginners | A Shoe Kit That's Perfect for Boots | A Leather Care Kit That Gives a Deep Shine | Shine Sneakers and Whiten Shoes With This Polish | Use an Electric Shoe Polisher for a Quick Shine | A Shoe Polish Kit With a Foot Pedal | Well-Designed Kit With a Neutral Polish | On-the-Go Kit for Travelers | A Care Kit for Military and Service Shoes | A Handmade Eco-Friendly Leather Care Kit |
Price | $26.99 | $16.35 | $11.88 | $14.93 | $89.99 | $48.99 | $25.99 | $9.99 | $14.99 | $39.95 |
Brush | 2 horsehair brushes | 2 horsehair brushes | 1 brush | 1 synthetic brush | 3 swine bristle brushes, 3 cotton flannel brushes | 2 horsehair brushes | 2 horsehair brushes | None | 2 horsehair brushes | None |
Cloth | 3 cloths | 1 microfiber cloth | 1 cloth | 1 cloth | None | 2 cloths | 1 cloth | 1 cloth | 1 cloth | None |
Polish | 1 black, 1 brown, and 1 neutral wax | 1 black and 1 brown cream | 1 black and 1 brown wax | 1 shoe cleaner, 1 shoe polish | 1 black and 1 brown cream, 1 leather conditioner | 1 black and 1 brown polish | 1 neutral cream | 1 leather cleaner, 1 leather conditioner | 1 black paste | 1 boot wax |
Extra items | 1 shoe horn, 2 shoe shine sponges, 1 leather case | 1 pair of black shoelaces, 1 pair of brown shoelaces, 1 case | 2 sponge applicators, 1 case | 1 tape | 4 AA batteries | 1 shoehorn, 2 sponge daubers, 1 wooden valet box | 1 shoehorn | 1 travel pouch | 1 travel pouch, 1 shoe horn | 1 saddle soap, 1 leather salve, 1 leather oil |
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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.
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!
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