Leather Luster

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Now, for shoes like that, I wear the patent leather hi-tops. The factory is near here, so I get blems.

How much do you pay for the blems??

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

How much do you pay for the blems??

A few years ago, hi-top blems cost $45. Last summer, they were $65.
The place is near Altoona, Pa.

Here's their web site
http://www.coveshoe.com/

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Steve M

A few years ago, hi-top blems cost $45. Last summer, they were $65.
The place is near Altoona, Pa.

Here's their web site
http://www.coveshoe.com/

I paid $99 for my spotbilts - I love em. I keep my old ones with Leather Luster for rainy days though. We have a guy here that puts the Leather Luster on and actually has a kiln he built to bake the Leather Luster onto the shoe and my old plate shoes still look great - just not as great as my patent leathers.

[IRISHMAFIA]

As an umpire and UIC, I do not get impressed with shoes and belts treated with this product. It's fine and dandy if you are marching in a parade or putting on a show for someone. As an umpire, it doesn't improve you performance and, if anything, only draws attention to you and that is not an umpire's purpose on the field.

Give me a good, clean polished shoe and you're fine.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

As an umpire and UIC, I do not get impressed with shoes and belts treated with this product. It's fine and dandy if you are marching in a parade or putting on a show for someone. As an umpire, it doesn't improve you performance and, if anything, only draws attention to you and that is not an umpire's purpose on the field.

Give me a good, clean polished shoe and you're fine.

Mike,
I understand that. They reason I do like them is that they are SO easy to clean. Spray them with water, dry them, wear them onto the field. Regular leather shoes take a lot more to keep looking cleaned.

What I have been doing with my regular shoes is to put a really good coat of polish on them a couple of times a month. This takes a couple of hours. Then, in between games, I'll clean them with water, wipe them down with armor-all, then dry & buff them. They do look good, but we're talking about more time & effort on my part. So, when patent leather or leather lustered shoes are acceptable, I'll use them.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Mike,
I understand that. They reason I do like them is that they are SO easy to clean. Spray them with water, dry them, wear them onto the field. Regular leather shoes take a lot more to keep looking cleaned.

What I have been doing with my regular shoes is to put a really good coat of polish on them a couple of times a month. This takes a couple of hours. Then, in between games, I'll clean them with water, wipe them down with armor-all, then dry & buff them. They do look good, but we're talking about more time & effort on my part. So, when patent leather or leather lustered shoes are acceptable, I'll use them.

To start, patents and those coated with Leather Lustre or similar product are bad for one's feet. In both cases, the pores of the leather are blocked which means the shoe doesn't breath.

I give my shoes a decent coat of wax once a season. I have two brushes, one soft (horse hair), one with stiff bristles (boar). Coming off the field, I use the hard brush to clear the dirt/dust. With an application brush, I place a sparing amount of wax on the entire shoe and edge of the sole and then buff with soft brush. This process takes no more than five minutes. No water, no rags, no problems. Shoe never needs to be stripped because there is no build up due to the constant brushing. I have never had to replace a pair of shoes due to issues with the upper leather. Of course, this doesn't apply to the care of "rain" shoes.

Nonetheless, to each their own. If you do not perspire or never had an athlete's foot issue, go for it. Guess I just don't care for "flashy" in an umpire. Personally, I prefer natural leather uppers.

[Mountaineer]

Wearing patent leather shoes does not help my judgement one bit - you are absolutely correct. It does, however, make me look more professional when I walk onto the field. Just like having my pants dry-cleaned and keeping a good crease in them and making sure my hats are neat and clean. Appearance does not help me call balls and strikes and it never will. It also will not help me improve. However, when we are observed in WV, appearance is part of the criteria and I strive to look as professional as possible. I like the word professional more than flashy. Is that any different than the "flashy" manner people call a 3rd strike? I think you are off-base in judging someone flashy just because of the shoes they wear.

I also agree with Steve on the ease of care. In 60 seconds, my shoes look like new with just water and a soft cloth. As fas as the sweating goes, I've not noticed anything about my feet sweating anymore than before. Besides, my sweat don't stink!