Genuine leather shoes have a special place in the wardrobe. They’re durable enough to hold out for years even after years of heavy use, yet they’re stylish and comfortable. There are leather dress shoes, work boots, slip-on loafers, high heels, and athletic shoes.

Whether you want booties that cut off at your ankles or power boots that go up to your thighs, there are options in leather. Men can wear leather boots to work or leather oxfords to the office, all while slipping into leather cross trainers to the gym on their way home. Women have the same flexibility with leather pumps and loafers that look great in professional settings and leather captain’s boots and running shoes for more casual encounters.

If you want to maximize your leather shoes’ life, you need to know how to maintain them. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about cleaning, storing, protecting, and stretching leather shoes, so let’s dig in.