Caring for Type II Russet Service Shoes?

[vic]

Hi all:  I just purchased a pair of Russet Service Shoes from ATF and am hoping I can get some suggestions for keeping them in good shape to last.  My main questions are:

1) what brand/color of good quality polish should I use (if any);

2)  should I waterproof them (sno seal?  Huberd's Shoe Grease...);

3)   where to go to get correct replacement soles and heels installed when the time comes.



Thanks very much! Vic.

[william03]

1)I use Kiwi shoe polish on mine when they need it, brown seems to be a perfect match for the color.

I can only answer #1 since it's been a while since I wore them in the field (I have a pair of rough outs I use now)and I haven't had to resole mine in the 6 or 7 years I've had them.

[garandguy1551]

When the heels wore out on my WWII Impressions service shoes, I just took them to my local cobbler, and he replaced them with ones he had, which they were a good match.

[Kirby]

I sealed mine with several coats of SnoSeal.

[vic]

Do local cobblers normally carry these types of heels and soles? There is so much authenticity involved in the WWII reenacting; it would bother me to know that I've got farbed heels and soles when I've gone to so much trouble to get everything so correct, even if the detail in question isn't always visible.

Thanks again fellas.

[cco23i]

Key thing is to ged the right color find a mohogany (not light) and polish the boots with those it'll darken them up GOOD

[james1941]

You can use reguler kiwi polish. I like to use mink oil to water proof but you can also get the waterproofing spray for hikeing boots its minwax i used it on my desert boots and its great. Just so you know your feet will still get damp no matter what.

[mburch66]

I guess my first question is: What are you using these for, field or dress use? If you are going to use them for dress only I would polish them once with a nice dark brown to get the ATF colour a bit more correct and leave it at that. If you are using them for field use, I would use Huberd's Shoe Grease. It works better than anything I have ever tried (and I have tried them all). That will darken them a bit, but since they will be muddy and gross in no time, I wouldn't worry about colour all that much. As for resoling...how much wear are you planning on?! I have had boots for YEARS and never needed to resole them. But, just to answer your question, ATF now carries the half soles and heels for paratrooper boots. I suspect they will have regular heels soon.