SHOE CARE GUIDE

We care inside out.

At Gray Matters, our commitment to craftsmanship runs deep. We take immense pride in the fact that our shoes are authentically handcrafted and made in Italy. We source only the finest quality leather, ensuring that every pair we create is a testament to the artistry and precision that Italian shoemaking is renowned for.

We believe in delivering not just footwear, but an experience that's felt with every step you take. It's our hope that when you slip into a pair of Gray Matters shoes, you'll immediately notice and appreciate the difference. From the meticulous handcrafting to the supple touch of our premium leather, we pour our passion into every detail, so you can confidently put your best foot forward.

To help you extend the life of your purchase, here is our guide to caring for your Gray Matters shoes.

Leather and suede are natural materials, meaning some of our shoes may have subtle variations. Most of our products are made of extremely soft materials, like nappa leather and kid suede and should be handled with care.

A visit to your local cobbler for preventative or routine shoe maintenance can drastically extend the life of your favorite pair of shoes. For those that live in the NYC area, we recommend Leather Spa or North 11th Shoe Repair. 

If you have a local cobbler that you trust, please share their information with us!

MAINTENANCE

LEATHER

(1) To clean your leather shoes, wipe the desired area with a clean, non-abrasive and soft dry cloth.
(2) If stains occur, gently dab the area with a soft damp cloth and let air dry. Apply a clear leather cream and wipe with a soft cloth using a gentle circular motion.
(3) In case of contact with water or other liquids, do not rub the leather—use a dry cloth and apply a gentle tapping motion to absorb the liquid.

SUEDE

For suede, we recommend brushing gently with a suede rubber, or crepe eraser. We recommend the suede cleaning kit by Jason Markk. Repeat from time to time to maintain the protective layer.

HEEL CAPS

We hope you love your shoes so much that you wear them every day.

In the case your heel caps begin to wear down, replace with the additional set provided with your purchase at your local shoe repair shop.

OUTSOLES

Most of our outsoles are are made of suede or painted leather in our custom dusty rose. If you would prefer to enforce your outsoles with rubber, we recommend having your local shoe maker/repair shop apply them.

This will protect your outsole, waterproof it, and make it non-skid.

STORAGE

When not in use, please be sure to store in a cool, dry area in the dust bag provided with your purchase.

Inserting shoe trees or shoe stuffers will also help to preserve the shoe’s shape.