I have a pair of leather bike shoes, which I mostly use in summer.
Is it a good idea to waterproof them using the available silicone based sprays, or can it damage the shoes?
I have a pair of leather bike shoes, which I mostly use in summer.
Is it a good idea to waterproof them using the available silicone based sprays, or can it damage the shoes?
I wouldn't use silicone spray to waterproof leather, I'd use a leather boot proofer like Nikwax (the original product, not the brand). The spray is unlikely to damage the shoes but isn't very effective on smooth leather. Shoes that aren't designed to be waterproof often don't get perfectly waterproof even with treatment - stitching may leak and you'll certainly get water in around the tongue.
Whatever you use, be sure not to get it on the soles, as it makes them slippery.
I've found waterproof shoes to be a bit of a pain on the bike - water runs down my legs and fills the shoes. Shoe covers help with this but then you don't need waterproof shoes. In hot weather free-draining shoes can also be more comfortable.
I wear a lot of leather boots and shoes. There's nothing that works better for real leather than proper leather nugget.
Kiwi shoe nugget ideally, it has carnauba wax to nourish the leather. Proper application method is to clean the shoe of dirt and mud, let it dry, apply nugget and work into leather using a brush paying attention to folds, joints and wear areas like toes. Avoid getting the nugget in mesh or ventilation panels, it will go through onto your feet/socks.
Then leave shoe to stand in the warm sun while you do the other foot. Depending on how dry the leather was you may need a second application now. Lastly is buffing, which is to rub the outside of the leather to remove excess nugget, and to generate some heat to help seal the outside. This also stops nugget bleeding out and marking other things.
Nugget is normally black, but you can get coloured nuggets. White and clear nugget exists too.
Silicon / silicone spray is a lazy way to achieve similar results, but it doesn't feed the leather and your shoes will not last as long.
Nugget also has a nice odor (well I think its nice)