I have a hand held Steam Gun. The sole of the shoe is covered with wax. I apply Paraffin, we call it Kerosene, to the soles of the shoe. Then i hit them with the steam. While i'm at it i give the inside and outside of the Micro Wave a blast as well as around the Fridge seals. With the shoes i then use the shoe brush which brings them back to somewhere near normal. The uppers. I use what is called here Armour Guard. Thats the stuff we use on the car for any vynal plastic or leather surfaces. I do my ordinary outdoor shoes with the same product fairly regularly also. I alway put shoe trees into the shoes after use. With shoes being as expensive as they are its better to take care of them.