Ahmedabad is hard on shoes. Summer temperatures regularly cross 40°C, and from June to September the monsoon brings waterlogged roads and damp air. Heat dries and cracks leather. Water swells it, stains it and loosens the glue. The good news is that a few small habits fix most of it.

In summer

  • Never leave shoes in a parked car. A closed car gets far hotter than the outside air. It dries out the leather and can soften glue.
  • Rotate two pairs. Leather needs about a day to dry out from foot moisture. Wearing the same pair daily is what causes odour and early wear.
  • Wear breathable socks and consider a leather or breathable lining. Plastic-like linings trap sweat.
  • Moisturise leather every few weeks with a neutral cream, so it does not dry and crack at the flex point.

In the monsoon

  • Keep your best leather shoes at home on rainy days. Use rubber-soled sandals or chappals for the commute and change at work.
  • Choose rubber, anti-slip soles. Wet marble, tiles and metro platforms are slippery. A patterned rubber outsole grips far better than smooth leather soles.
  • Avoid suede in the rain. Water leaves marks that are hard to remove.

If your shoes get wet

  1. Wipe off mud and water with a soft cloth straight away.
  2. Remove the insoles and loosen the laces.
  3. Stuff the shoes loosely with newspaper or paper towel, and replace it when it is damp.
  4. Dry them in shade with airflow. Do not use direct sun, a hair dryer or a heater. Fast heat shrinks and cracks leather.
  5. Once fully dry, apply a little leather cream to restore the oils.

Patent leather needs a different touch

Patent shoes, popular for weddings, are coated for shine. Wipe them with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry them gently. Avoid heat, and store them with soft tissue between pairs so the glossy surfaces do not stick together.

Storage

Keep shoes in a cool, ventilated place, not in a sealed plastic bag. Stuff the toe with tissue or use shoe trees to hold the shape. Silica gel sachets in the shoe cupboard help in the damp months.

If a pair is past saving, or you want a rubber-soled option for the rains, you can message us a photo on WhatsApp and we will suggest what is in stock.