Outdoor footwear care

Happy Trails: The Guide to Outdoor & Active Footwear Care

For outdoor enthusiasts, a great pair of hiking boots or trail runners is an investment. No matter the terrain they are tackling, your customers rely on their footwear to keep them dry and comfortable. But the elements that make hiking exciting—mud, grit, rain, and dust—are the enemies of footwear longevity. Dirt and moisture degrade materials like leather, suede, and mesh, and can lead to cracking, splitting, and a loss of water resistance. Teaching your customers how to care for their active footwear doesn’t just add value to their purchase—it opens up an excellent opportunity for add-on sales. Here is how […]

Made in Italy Day

Elevate Your Repairs with These Exceptional Italian-Made Products

Made in Italy National Day (Giornata Nazionale del Made in Italy) is an annual observance paying tribute to the heritage, quality, and style of Italian craftsmanship. It is celebrated on April 15—birthday of the Italian-born master craftsman, Leonardo da Vinci.  At Justin Blair & Company, we believe that every day is an opportunity to provide your customers with that level of world-class excellence. Our curated selection of Italian-made products represents more than just shoe care supplies; they represent long-standing traditions of quality that also run deep in our own company history.  Here are Italian-made essentials available to help you deliver a […]

Women's legs wearing sandals on a wood outdoor floor.

Clean & Deodorize Summer Footwear Naturally: The Best All-Natural Solutions

Summer means more outdoor time—and more wear and tear on your favorite shoes. Whether it’s sandals, sneakers, wedding shoes or even boots, seasonal elements like rain, sweat, BBQ spills, dust, and sun can shorten their life. Here’s how to keep footwear clean, protected, and looking fresh all summer long—using all-natural solutions that are also good for the planet. 1. Clean Everyday Dirt and Grime Summer adventures can take a toll on footwear. Regular cleaning helps keep your customers’ shoes looking their best through every adventure. Some of our favorite all-natural shoe cleaning products are:  2. Protect Footwear from Summertime Damage […]

Clean, Protect & Get More Life Out of the Shoes You Love

Spring Shoe Care Guide As the days get longer and warmer, your footwear is likely ready for a seasonal refresh. After months of cold, salt, or being stored away, your footwear—whether shoes, sandals, sneakers, or leather boots—deserve a little attention before stepping back into your daily routine or going back in the closet for storage. With a few simple steps and the right products, you can protect your shoes from spring weather, bring them back to life, and get more comfort and longevity from every pair. Start with protection Spring is unpredictable. One day it’s warm and dry, the next […]

Back view of college student with backpack on campus

Back-to-School Checklist: Prep Your Shoe Repair Shop For Success

This time of year means kids of all ages are heading back to school—and along with them, lots of gear and supplies that may need fixing and polishing.  We’ve compiled a list of common shoe repair and shoe care needs that arise during the back-to-school season. Review our handy checklist, along with our product recommendations from high-quality brands such as Ralyn Shoe Care and BootRescue, and your shoe repair shop, shoe department, or specialty shoe store will be ready for anything your customers ask for this fall.   Fix a broken backpack, bag, or purse Backpacks are the essential back-to-school supply.  Every student needs […]

Sneakers and Blister Blocker

NEW! Anti-friction balm for blister prevention

Give your customers an alternative to chronic shoe pain and toxic blister removers. Solemates Blister Blocker is a natural, vegan, cruelty free and fragrance free anti-friction balm that helps to prevent blisters when wearing any type of footwear. By applying a thin layer of the clear Blister Blocker to feet, skin is protected from friction-born blisters. Lasts for up to 6 hours, making shoes more comfortable for all-day wear. Blister Blocker is available in a 0.15 oz tube. Contact us to learn more and place your order! Join our email list or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to hear about new products […]

Ralyn Shoe Care makeover: how we updated a local shoe care kiosk

  We recently did a “makeover” on the Shoe Hospital shoe care kiosk in the B Concourse of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The kiosk offers travelers a quick shoe shine, as well as grab-and-go shoe care products. With a record-setting 79+ million travelers passing through O’Hare each year, we wanted to help Shoe Hospital attract as many potential shoppers as possible, so we upgraded their kiosk with a selection of Ralyn Shoe Care products to appeal to the on-to-go traveler.  Whether travelers are seeking comfort or needing a quick shoe upgrade, the Shoe Hospital kiosk now offers Ralyn Shoe Care […]

Tips for protecting shoes in rainy weather 

Spring showers mean May flowers—but they can also wreak havoc on shoes. Make sure your customers are prepared for rainy weather with these easy weather protection tips. Weatherproof them A mink oil productwill condition the leather and also make it water repellent (not waterproof, so you still want to limit the shoe’s exposure to water). For ultimate protection, choose a weather protection spray such as Ralyn Aquatec or Moneysworth & Best Pro-Tex Camp Spray. It adds a water-repellant layer to the shoe—causing water to bead up rather than soaking into the leather. Cover them up For total rain protection of dress shoes, good-old rubber overshoes […]

Winter essentials for shoe repair shops

Snow, slush and sleet are almost upon us—or should I say, upon our shoes. Is your shoe store or shoe repair shop ready? We’ve put together a list of essential shoe repair and shoe care needs for the unpredictable winter season. Review our handy checklist and your shop will be ready for anything—before the snow and salt hits the ground! Start with a silicone The first line of defense is an offense: brush on a liquid silicone, like Ralyn Liquid Silicone, which repels water from shoes and keeps leather soft. Spray on heavy-duty protection Prepare for the worst winter has […]