Be The Shining Example To The Other Riders

I get asked about my boots a lot when I'm at shows. The most common question is what brand of footwear I'm wearing (because they're stunning), but the next frequently asked question is how the hell I get them so shiny.

I simply have two options when it comes to preparing my boots for competition, one is a wax polish with a couple of steps to follow before you get that beautifully finished shine.

The next is a leather cream that is nice and quick to apply and leaves an instant shine.

There are a ton of lengthy guides and videos online showing you how to polish and take care of your boots or shoes, but here's a shortened version.

Before Polishing Your Boots

The first and most obvious thing is to make sure your boots are clean and dry before you apply polish. Aside from the larger surface area of your boots make sure you get every inconspicuous area you can find, leftover dirt and grit will potentially leave scratches on the leather.

A damp cloth or sponge is best and I always tend to dry them immediately, it speeds up the process and means water doesn't sit on your nice leather footwear.

Pro Tip: Frequently use saddle soap or conditioner on your boots, it'll help keep the leather soft and supple and increase longevity.

What You Need to Polish Boots

As mentioned previously, I simply have two options when it comes to polishing my boots, a wax, or a cream polish.

If using a cream, all you'll need is a sponge applicator, mine came with one and I think most of them do.

If using a wax polish, I recommend two polish brushes, one to apply the wax, and the other for buffing.

Best Cream Shoe Polish For Your Boots

I have to admit, with my busy schedule and brutal early mornings at shows I more often than not turn to my Urad boot polish to save time.

I was introduced to this by a student eight or nine years ago and since then I have always ensured I have it in my show supplies.

This stuff is simply outstanding. Once your boots are clean it is literally just one coat of polish and you're done.

It's hard to beat the shine that this cream produces when I first started using it I honestly expected the almost 'wet look' shine to fade quickly but it really doesn't. I can apply this at 6 am in the morning, wear them all day and they'll still be shining in the evening time.

I make sure I carry a cloth around in my backpack at shows to take layers of dust off but even if I do that multiple times throughout the day the shine still stays.

I would advise getting the dedicated black version of the cream polish but the neutral also worked well for me, you can purchase either on Amazon.

Pros: Very quick and easy to apply polish, incredible shine.

Cons: If using the black version it's hard to get off your hands, use a glove or I use a ziplock bag.

Urad Boot Cream

Best Wax Shoe Polish For Your Boots

Wax polish creates a high shine and provides a layer of protection against water and other elements. It is also useful for filling in scuffs and scratches in the leather.

My product of choice is simply Kiwi Shoe Polish. You can pick it up from Amazon or probably even your local grocery store. It's inexpensive and easy to find. You can also find the brushes here.

This way of polishing takes a little more time than the cream, but it's very good for your leather so I do make sure I fit this method in periodically.

But the process is simple:

1) Take the first brush and apply a thin, even layer all over the leather.

2) Allow to dry, I normally leave it for 20-30 minutes.

3) Take the second brush and buff your boots until you achieve maximum shine.

Pros: Very inexpensive, good for your boots.

Cons: A little more laborious than cream polish and not as quick.

Kiwi Wax Polish

Shine Brush

Also Read:

Brand Focus, Ariat Boots Review

Horse Riding Gloves, The Best And The Worst