Editor’s Note: This guide supports IAMBIC clients who receive a Complimentary Luxury Shoe Care Kit through our invite-only VIP program. If you received a VIP email, your kit is reserved. For questions, contact the Concierge.
Full-grain leather rewards steady care. It maintains its strength, breathes naturally, and develops rich character with wear. The right habits preserve finish, maintain balance, and ensure lasting comfort through long days.
New to IAMBIC? Begin with the Fit Guide Quiz for personalized recommendations. We review results and invite qualifying participants to our VIP program for exclusive services.
What’s in the Complimentary Luxury Shoe Care Kit
- Gentle foaming cleaner: Lifts dirt without stripping natural oils.
- Breathable water and dirt repellent: Shields against moisture while allowing leather to breathe.
- Horsehair brush and microfiber cloth: For brushing, cleaning, and buffing.
Cedar shoe trees are recommended to maintain shape and absorb moisture after long wear.
Care, step by step
Step 1: Clean
Brush away surface dust with the horsehair brush. Apply a small amount of foaming cleaner to the microfiber cloth and work in light circles. Wipe away residue and let dry at room temperature, away from heat or sunlight.
Step 2: Condition
When leather appears dry or dull, apply a neutral cream conditioner. Massage a small amount evenly with a soft cloth and let it absorb fully before use.
Step 3: Protect
Spray the breathable repellent from about six inches away for even coverage. Let shoes dry naturally and reapply after heavy wear or rain.
Step 4: Maintain
After each wear, insert cedar shoe trees to manage moisture and creasing. Wipe with a dry cloth to remove dust and rotate pairs to allow recovery between wears.
City rain, winter salt, and travel days
After rain: Pat shoes dry, insert cedar trees, and allow them to dry naturally. Reapply repellent once dry.
Salt marks: Mix cool water with a small amount of white vinegar, dampen a cloth, and gently wipe. Allow to dry, then condition and protect.
On the road: Pack the brush, cloth, and repellent. Wipe shoes nightly and spot-clean as needed. Use cedar trees at home to restore shape after travel.
Why this matters for IAMBIC clients
Your MODEL T is crafted from full-grain leather and shaped from your individual scan. Proper care preserves its finish and sustains precision-fit comfort through distance and time. Learn more in IAMBIC 101, explore IAMBIC Technology, or discover our White Glove Service.
VIP: How to use your Luxury Shoe Care Kit
- First wear: Wipe off dust, spray a light coat of repellent, and let dry.
- Weekly refresh: Dry brush, spot clean with foam, then buff gently.
- After harsh weather: Clean, condition, then protect again.
Need assistance? Reply to your VIP email or request a brief care consultation. Complimentary consult slots are available each month for VIP invitees.
FAQs
How often should I clean and condition full-grain leather?
Dry brush and wipe after each wear. Clean when dirt is visible. Condition every 4–8 weeks or when the leather looks dry or dull.
Will the repellent affect color or breathability?
No. It is breathable and safe for full-grain leather when used in light coats. Test in a small hidden area first.
What should I do if my shoes get soaked?
Stuff lightly with paper towels, insert cedar trees, and dry at room temperature. Once dry, condition and reapply repellent.
How do I remove scuffs or scratches?
Clean first, then apply a small amount of neutral conditioner and buff lightly. Deeper marks fade with continued care and wear.
Can I use this kit on suede or nubuck?
No. It is designed for smooth, full-grain leather. For suede or nubuck, use specific care products or contact the Concierge for guidance.
Does care affect fit or performance?
Yes. Conditioned leather maintains its structure and flexibility, preserving the consistent comfort that precision-fit footwear delivers.
How should I store my shoes?
Insert cedar trees and store in a cool, dry place with airflow. Avoid sealed containers. If using dust bags, leave a small opening for ventilation.
What is the best routine during travel?
Pack the brush, cloth, and repellent. Wipe at night and spot-clean as needed. Insert cedar trees after travel and condition if dry.
Which products are safe for MODEL T?
Use neutral cream conditioners and breathable repellents for full-grain leather. Avoid heavy waxes. For recommendations, email the Concierge.
I’m new to IAMBIC. Where should I start?
Take the Fit Guide Quiz to begin your precision-fit journey. We review results and invite qualifying participants to the VIP program after consultation.
Helpful links
We offer a limited number of complimentary consultations for qualifying participants through the Fit Guide Quiz. VIP enrollment is by invitation after consultation.
The most interesting thing about them being crafted just for me is how well they fit. And I had never even noticed that my shoes didn't fit right. My other shoes don't hurt me - they just slosh around. With these, the heels actually stay on the whole time and it fits snugly yet still comfortably. And I'd never experienced that before. They just stay comfortable all day.
As a runner, as an athlete, just knowing that I'm doing a good service to my body is incredible. It’s the reason that I love my IAMBIC shoes. It's that precision that makes me feel safe to walk down the street, get on the subway, do my commute, bring my kids to school, and not feel concerned that I'm doing it in a shoe that doesn't fit right or that doesn't feel good.
The thing that I was surprised by the most with the precision fit is that any pressure points thatI had been feeling with the shoes that I previously came in wearing were completely gone. I was wearing a shoe that wasn't too tight. It wasn't too loose. The sole fit just right. Total comfort.That's the best way to put it.
So I suffer from chronic foot pain and I believe that a lot of that has to do with wearing shoes that actually don't fit. Whenever I wear my IAMBICs, I've noticed that I have felt less pain, which is really incredible. And they're just so comfortable. I'm not worried about the back of my heel popping out or my ankles not having enough support. Also, they're just so stylish and every time I wear them out in the street, I always get compliments, which never happens to me.
A shoe that may feel comfortable for a half hour walk is not a shoe that always feels comfort able for a three and a half hour walk. So what I like about IAMBIC is, even though the snug fit is there and it feels comfortable, it also feels substantial enough that I can walk a lot without getting any discomfort. That's just something that's especially important to me and I think the shoe has really delivered that.
The first moment that I tried on my IAMBIC shoes, I noticed a difference. I have small feet. So whenever I try on shoes, I usually expect them to not fit. If they do fit, there's usually some sort of discomfort, whether that's in the toe box or too much space or at the heel. So knowing that this shoe was tailored to my foot was really meaningful. It's rare that you find a shoe like IAMBIC that truly is comfortable, but also hits the markers of style versatility.
I think we're all placed on this earth as unique individuals. None of us are really off the rack in terms of sizing. So for me to have that experience of having something made specifically for me that fit perfectly was something that was a little bit mind blowing. And once I got the shoes, I tried them on, they looked great, they felt great. And honestly, they fit like a glove.
When we get behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini, people feel that precision. 1 millimeter of change in the steering wheel, you will feel that. 1 millimeter of pressure into the accelerator, you’ll feel that. And for me, that is a linkage between performance, but then for me as I'm wearing my IAMBICs, it's just another reminder of how my IAMBICs are created based on that performance and the millimeter of precision that's included within the shoe which aligns up with the world of Ferrari and Lamborghini and the precision behind that.
Having a pair of shoes that I know will make me be able to stand up and do the job that I need to do without feeling burnt out or exhausted at the end of the day, which most shoes will end up doing no matter what they've been in the past. After a certain amount of time standing up, I don't think I've ever worried about that, or had that fatigue after a long shoot. At the end of a shoot when it's “Oh hey, we have to go into overtime." or something like that. This is something that helps me not feel the fatigue of being drained or tired because it's a pain that I don't get anymore from being on my feet for so long.
They're so comfortable that they're a part of life. They move with you, and I think that's the support, the comfort. I don't wear them just for the style, I wear them because they make me feel good. That's a really big thing for me.
When I wear my dress shoes, I'm constantly thinking OK, I wish I brought a pair of sneakers, and then when I have my sneakers on, then I'm tending to deal with the issues in the upper, right, part of the shoe whether on the front or back of my foot. So I want to say to myself, okay how do I replicate the feel of the IAMBIC shoe because I wear this every day.
What will happen is I'll wear my IAMBICs, I'm like this is great, like my day is good, I don't really notice anything. And then, if I switch to a different pair of shoes, especially like my very high end sneakers and I have a not bad collection of other high end sneakers, I'm immediately like ugh this just sucks like they really do. So I think it's the relational sort of experience where when I'm wearing my IAMBICs, I don't really notice and I think that says a lot. And it’s not until you wear a different set of shoes that you're like oh the reason I'm not noticing is because these fit my feet so well.