While any old rag can suffice for cleaning and polishing shoes, a shoe-specific brush is essential for regular maintenance, and you won’t find anything around the house that performs quite like a good shoe brush. Typically made from horsehair, these brushes are gentle enough to avoid scratching the leather yet firm enough to remove dirt and debris and work polish to a beautiful shine. Though brushes can be made from other materials, horsehair is widely regarded as the ideal choice for most shoe care. A good shoe brush should be comfortable to use, with a size that makes polishing effortless. After researching, we’ve narrowed down the best options to three: the reliable Kiwi shoe-shine brush, a more premium option from Allen Edmonds, and the elegant, slightly pricier horsehair brush by Kirby Allison.
I’m confident in recommending the Kirby Allison Medium Horsehair Shoe Polishing Brush as our top pick because of its high-quality construction. Among our test group, it had by far the best combination of bristle quality, density, and distribution.
The bristles on the Kirby Allison brush are more uniformly and densely packed compared to those on the Kiwi and Allen Edmonds brushes, providing a superior brushing experience for several reasons. First, the dense bristles allow the Kirby Allison brush to remove more dirt and debris with each stroke. Second, the uniform distribution of bristles ensures an even application of polish and reduces the likelihood of pressure points that could damage your shoes. While the Allen Edmonds brush offers similar bristle quality, its bristle density varies more, and the Kiwi brush lacks both uniformity and softness. Although the Kirby Allison brush is pricier, shoe-shine brushes are durable, and with proper care (gentle washing in warm water and air-drying), they can last for years without excessive wear.
When it comes to user-friendliness, both the Kirby Allison and Allen Edmonds brushes are noticeably larger than the Kiwi brush, requiring fewer strokes to buff a pair of shoes. After polling several individuals with varying hand sizes, most found the Kirby Allison and Allen Edmonds brushes comfortable to handle, though some noted their larger size. The Kirby Allison and Kiwi brushes feature grooved divots along their wooden handles for a better grip, whereas the Allen Edmonds brush has a smooth, ungrooved handle.
When it comes to accessory shoe brushes, there are options for nearly every specific cleaning task. However, if you’re looking to invest in just one specialty brush, a dauber is a must-have for applying cleaner—plus an optional one for polish, though a rag works just as well for that. (Conditioner is best applied with a rag.) Since you’ll need separate brushes for each color, it’s best to go for an affordable option. The most cost-effective 100% horsehair dauber is made by Kiwi, and it performs just as well as higher-end alternatives.
"Write your story with every step—keep your shoes clean and restored."
