Use and Maintenance of Your Brigante Custom-Made Shoes

Breaking in Custom-Made Orthopaedic Shoes

Orthopaedic custom-made footwear are made especially for you, according to the specifications provided by your orthopaedic footwear clinician, orthotist or podiatrist. This orthopaedic footwear promotes your mobility so that you can fully enjoy life again.

It may take some time to get used to walking with your new footwear. That is why your clinician has given you a gradual break-in schedule. Follow this schedule carefully in order to quickly adapt to the footwear. Only by wearing the footwear will they provide the intended benefits. If you have any questions about the break-in process, consult your clinician.

Maintenance of Your Orthopaedic footwear

Your Brigante custom-made footwear requires maintenance to achieve its expected lifespan. However, you can expect more from your footwear: with proper care you not only extend its lifespan but also ensure it continues to provide sufficient protection against moisture and dirt.

New footwear looks as if it has just come out of a catalogue, and with proper care, you can keep it looking that way for as long as possible. Good maintenance helps preserve the appearance of your footwear, not only its shine but also its colour.

Maintenance products for your footwear may be available at your orthopaedic shoe provider- or they can provide advice on which care products are best suited for your footwear. Below we describe general footwear care so you can get started.

What Type of Leather is Your footwear Made from?

There are many types of leather and leather finishes. To determine the right maintenance, you first need to know what type of leather or finish your footwear is made from. Footwear can be made of smooth leather, suede, nappa, or patent leather. Different types of leather require different care products for the best results.

How to Care for Leather Footwear

Before applying any care products, start by cleaning your footwear and removing all dirt. Use a clean polishing brush to remove street dirt. Also check the soles to ensure no stones or debris are lodged in the tread and remove these immediately.

If the colour of the leather has faded or become damaged, it can be restored using a nourishing shoe cream in a matching colour. A cream with a high pigment content can revive faded colours and repair damaged ones. Apply the cream with an applicator brush or a soft cloth, spreading it evenly to prevent stains. After five minutes of drying, polish the footwear with a clean brush.

Making Footwear Dirt-Repellent

It is possible to keep or make leather footwear dirt-repellent. By making your footwear resistant to dirt, you provide optimal protection for both the footwear and your feet against weather and dirt. The most commonly used product for this is shoe wax. Rub the wax into the footwear with a cotton cloth, spread it evenly, and let it dry. Then buff with a clean cotton cloth for a beautiful shine.

Your footwear will continue to look well cared for with regular maintenance. With proper care, the lifespan of the footwear will be safeguarded, the leather will remain supple, and wearing your footwear will stay comfortable.

Which Brand of Care Products?

There are many different types of shoe care products. Your orthopaedic shoe clinician can advise you on this. Additional information on specific leathers, leather care, and maintenance methods can be found on this Dutch website.

For each type of leather and colour, there are specific maintenance products available. Ask your orthopaedic footwear provider for these or equivalent care products.