Reddit reviews Meltonian All Purpose Shoe Cleaner & Conditioner
We found 4 Reddit comments about Meltonian All Purpose Shoe Cleaner & Conditioner. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Designed for deep cleaning and conditioning all types of leather grainsSpecial wax free productHepls promote the natural shine of leatherWater repellent and will help protect against salt stains and water staining
Brown leather cap toe Oxfords (that's the name for this type of shoe with "closed lacing") such as the Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenue are an iconic shoe and every Men's dress shoe maker has at least one of those in their line.
I agree that the Fifth Avenue is a classic design that will likely never go out of style and Allen Edmonds are good quality at the under-$500 price point.
Some cautionary notes. First, no shoe is ever BIFL, the most that you can hope for if you wear them regularly is that you will get a few years of wear, then a resole, then a couple more years of wear, then a resole. After that, the uppers are likely going to be shot and it will be time to get a new pair. Still, that's going to be a pretty good return on your initial investment.
Second, AE's quality has fallen off considerably over the last few years and your odds of receiving a new pair from the factory with some quality control issues are not small. Examine the shoes closely under good light for defects when you receive them, paying particular attention to the stitching, the inner and outer leather and the consistency of the color. AE is good about replacement with free shipping both ways, but it sure is a pain to ship shoes back and forth to Port Washington, Wisconsin.
Three, the Fifth Avenues are made on AE's 65 last (the last is the wooden form the shoe is shaped and constructed on), which is a very traditional American style silhouette. They're going to look bulbous and round if you're used to sleeker Italian looking shoes. There's also the possibility that the last will not be a good match for your foot and you will have to look at some other model or manufacturer. Johnston & Murphy Aldrich II Cap Toes will be slightly less expensive though most agree the quality is below AE. Twice a year, Brooks Brothers runs a 30% off sale applicable to shoes and you can sometimes pick up their Peal & Co. Medallion Captoes for a little over $450. Those shoes, made by Crockett & Jones in the UK are on an entirely different level of quality and style.
Fourth, the longevity of any pair of shoes is going to be exponentially improved with at least a moderate level of care. That means cedar shoe trees in the shoes when your feet are not in them. You will also need to do applications of a decent leather conditioner every few months, and yes, polishing every now and then with a cream polish. It would be ideal to follow with a wax polish to provide a protective layer but it is not mandatory. Always use a shoe horn to put the shoes on to avoid breaking the backs (called the "counter") of the shoes.
Fifth, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all men's dress shoes are meant to be alternated with at least one other pair and worn at most every other day. The day of rest allows the moisture inside the shoe to evaporate and to give the leather a rest to maintain its shape. If you wear your shoes every day, you will be lucky to get a year's worth of wear out of them even if you do everything else right.
Last, I can't stress enough the importance of getting a good fit in the shoes you end up buying. Even the best shoes will wear quickly if your foot isn't meeting the shoe's designed stress points and pressure isn't being applied at the right place. Make sure you buy your first pair from a retailer that will take returns and wear them on carpet until you are sure you've got a good fit. Remember that good leather shoes like the Fifth Avenue will take some time to break in so slight tightness in the vamp (top of toe box) and and some slight slippage at the heel will probably go away once the sole develops some flex.
Wow, this turned into a very long post. Shout out to /r/goodyearwelt where any questions about shoes can be answered by some very knowledgeable folks.
TL;DR: AE Fifth Avenues are respectable, good quality shoes but no shoes are BIFL; make sure the pair you receive is free of defects; be aware that they look conservative and alternatives are available; make sure you take care of them and make sure they fit right.
As an old shoe dog I'd suggest a leather conditioner/cleaner as you would for a pair of leather shoes. This should help you a bunch
Dauber is definitely a preference. I prefer it for use in the brogueing. What you call shoe cream I call cleaner & conditioner.
I use Meltonian cleaner/conditioner and either Angellus or Lincoln for my wax. These aren't high end products, but they get the job done for my purposes. If you're looking for higher-end, I've read good things about Saphir and their line of products.