OluKai makes some of the best travel shoes in the game, sneakers crafted with premium leathers, canvas, suede, Nubuck and mixed textiles, just to name a few. And while we can’t prevent what often happens on the road from happening to your shoes (See: wayward drops of Cab Sauv at dinner or hidden puddles from an afternoon rain), we can teach you how to maintain them so you can keep collecting stamps in the passport. While wearing the same pair of OluKai's, of course. The following is our comprehensive guide to keeping your travel sneakers squeaky clean on the road.
Shop OluKai Travel Ready Shoes
Cleaning Supplies if Available:
-Washable Laundry Bag Or Mesh Delicates Bag
-Damp Cloth
-Gentle Bristle Brush Or Towel
-Cold Water, Mild Laundry Detergent Solution
-Leather Conditioner Or Leather Care Or Cleaning Product (for Leather shoes)
-Suede Or Nubuck Cleaning Product (For Suede/Nubuck shoes)
For City Slickers
Terrain: Exploring city streets and new sites by way of sidewalks, streets, concrete and beyond
Suggested Material: Leather, Suede/Nubuck
Recommended Styles: Lae‘ahi Lī ‘Ili, Lae'ahi Lauhala, and Kaulele
Might Have To Clean: Scuffs from public transport, street food, beverages
Cleaning Steps:
1. Remove your shoes’ insoles and laces and place into a mesh, washable delicates bag
2. Toss the delicates bag containing your insoles and laces into the washing machine; use a delicate cycle with your preferred mild laundry detergent.
3. Wipe down the outside of the shoe with a damp cloth to remove excess dirt or debris
4. Apply a leather cleaning product to the leather outside of the shoe. Leather conditioner can be added after using your leather cleaning product to further enrich the look of the leather and to help maintain your shoe's look and feel.
*For Suede/Nubuck: Apply your favorite suede or nubuck cleaning product to your shoes.
5. Let shoes, footbeds and laces air-dry in a shady, room temperature area until you're ready to wear them for your next adventure!
*Pro-tip: Loosely stuff your shoes with newspaper to help maintain their shape and dry faster!
For Outdoorsy Go-Getters
Terrain: Docks, boat decks, day hikes, coastal walks, beach days, trails
Suggested Material: Textiles, Canvas, Vegan Fabrics
Recommended Styles: Moku Pae, Lae'ahi Lī, and Huia
Might Have To Clean: Sea salt, mud/dirt, sand, gravel/earth
Cleaning Steps:
1. Remove your shoes’ insoles and laces and place into a mesh, washable delicates bag
2. Toss the delicates bag containing your insoles and laces into the washing machine; use a delicate cycle with your preferred mild laundry detergent.
3. Wipe down the outside of the shoe with a damp cloth to remove excess dirt or debris
4. Hand wash your shoes using a gentle bristle brush and a cold water, mild detergent solution. Brush gently in a circular motion; if needed, go over stains multiple times to remove
5. Let shoes, footbeds and laces air-dry in a shady, room temperature area until you're ready to wear them for your next adventure!
For Café Cruisers
Terrain: Cruising restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Museums, Culture
Suggested Material: Mixed Textiles
Recommended Styles: Lae'ahi, Pehuea Lī and Pehuea
Might Have To Clean: Wine and coffee stains, food crumbs, scuffs
Cleaning Steps:
1. Remove your shoes’ insoles and laces and place into a mesh, washable delicates bag
2. Toss the delicates bag containing your insoles and laces into the washing machine; use a delicate cycle with your preferred mild laundry detergent.
3. Wipe down the outside of the shoe with a damp cloth to remove excess dirt or debris
4. Hand wash your shoes using a gentle bristle brush and a cold water, mild detergent solution. Brush gently in a circular motion; if needed, go over stains multiple times to remove. If your shoes have leather accents, do not hand wash the leather. A leather cleaning product can be added to the leather accents to clean.
5. Let shoes, footbeds and laces air-dry in a shady, room temperature area until you're ready to wear them for your next adventure!
Your In-Transit Traction
Terrain: In-flight seats, airport terminals and lounges, security lines, all-day walking comfort
Suggested Material: Mixed Textiles
Recommended Styles: Pūnini, Kāholo and Wailuku
Might Have To Clean: Spilled beverages on the plane or in terminal
Cleaning Steps:
1. Remove your shoes’ insoles and laces and place into a mesh, washable delicates bag
2. Toss the delicates bag containing your insoles and laces into the washing machine; use a delicate cycle with your preferred mild laundry detergent.
3. Wipe down the outside of the shoe with a damp cloth to remove excess dirt or debris
4. Hand wash your shoes using a gentle bristle brush and a cold water, mild detergent solution. Brush gently in a circular motion; if needed, go over stains multiple times to remove. If your shoes have leather accents, do not hand wash the leather. A leather cleaning product can be added to the leather accents to clean.
5. Let shoes, footbeds and laces air-dry in a shady, room temperature area until you're ready to wear them for your next adventure!
Shop Men’s Travel Ready Shoes
