There’s no doubt about it, $400 for a new pair of Allen Edmond dress shoes is quite the pretty penny to pay. And if you’re like me, you know that to get the most life out of your everyday $228 Cole Haan Chukka Boots.. You need to make an earnest commitment protecting them.

The truth is, some of the greatest lessons I’ve acquired when it comes to footwear include:

• Not skimping out on quality when it comes to price. Finely crafted men’s shoes last astonishingly longer than their lower-priced rivals.
• Investing in shoe trees and using them religiously.
• Knowing a great local shoe repair man who can re-sole any shoe with fierce passion and unbelievable talent.
• And of course, what I’d like to talk about with you today, using a top-notch shoe polish to nourish and waterproof your footwear.

When it comes to shoe polish, you’re more than often going to find solvents that help keep the wax supple enough to rub on your dress shoes. The type of solvent can vary from Naphtha (petroleum based) to Turpentine (pine based).

Natural solvents like Turpentine tend to smell more appealing, plus they are less taxing your bill of health in comparison to petroleum based solvents. It’s why inexpensive brands like Kiwi, tend to have that displeasing aroma as the petroleum based solvents evaporate.

For the leftover wax, carnauba or beeswax are typically associated with more premium brands. Now, this is important to know, as inferior waxes tend to melt under the sunlight, plus stick and gum up your fine shoe brush. When using a top-notch brand like my personal favorite Saphir, you’ll notice the texture is more buttery, and the wax has a uniform softness to it.

No matter what your preference, whether it is a brushed, hand-rubbed shine or a high gloss tone, I’ve included the top 5 best shoe polishes for men below. They’ll help keep your brown and black shoes looking like brand new, plus prolong the life of your pricey footwear.