Saphir Amiral Gloss – Leather Shoe Care Polish Wax for High Gloss Mirror Shine for Dress Shoes - 50 ml

I bought this polish after seeing a number of reports online about how well it delivers a real high gloss finish. I wanted to put that claim to the test on a pair of shoes that are over five years old and well worn. The results were impressive: within a few minutes the leather had gone from flat and tired to a bright, mirror-like shine that looked almost brand new. Application The application process is simple but does take a bit of technique. Each shoe took me around three minutes. The polish itself comes in a small, firm tin. It isn’t soft like some creams, so I found that adding a touch of water to the brush helped loosen the texture and spread it more evenly across the leather. Once applied, I let it settle for a moment and then went over it with a horsehair brush to bring the shine out. Even during the first buff you could see the difference building up quickly. ⸻ Finish (Before & After) The results speak for themselves, and I’ve included before/after photos to show the transformation. The leather, which had looked dull and scuffed, developed a deep gloss after just one coat and a quick buff. On a shine scale I’d call it a solid 4/5 for this type of polish. The difference between the untreated shoe and the polished one is clear even in normal indoor light, and in daylight the reflection is even more striking. Durability One of my concerns was whether the shine would last or fade quickly. After wearing the shoes for a day, the polish held up well — they still looked glossy, with only minor dulling on flex points. A quick two-minute rebuff brought them right back to their best. I also tested them with a little rain, and the water beaded on the surface rather than soaking into the leather. The finish dulled slightly after exposure, but did not streak or wash away, which is a good sign for day-to-day use. Quirks Because the polish is packed into a small tin and is quite firm, it can feel a little tricky to work with at first. I recommend using a brush rather than just a cloth, and keeping a small amount of water to hand for easier spreading. Once you know that, the product is straightforward to use. The scent is noticeable when you first open the tin, but it isn’t unpleasant and fades after buffing. Costs & Value Although the tin is small, a little really does go a long way. After polishing one pair of shoes I had barely made a dent in the surface. I’d expect a single tin to last through 20–25 full polishes, depending on how generously you apply it. Considering the finish and durability, I think that although expensive it represents good value. Verdict This polish completely changed the look of a five-year-old pair of shoes, giving them a finish that rivals new leather. It does require a bit more effort than a cream polish. Good if you want long-lasting shine and are prepared to spend a few minutes applying and buffing. The best way to think of the polish is as an extra layer adding a deeper shine. Skip if you prefer a softer polish that’s faster for everyday touch-ups.

If you're chasing that coveted, deep mirror shine, the SAPHIR BEAUTÉ DU CUIR Amiral Gloss polish is an absolute must-have. Having used countless polishes over the years, I can confidently say this one stands out for its exceptional clarity and ability to produce a brilliant, high-definition gloss with minimal effort. I put this product through its paces on two challenging but rewarding types of leather: my core pair of black dress shoes and a vibrant pair of multitone tan shoes. The results were nothing short of great on both. For the black shoes, the difference between the Amiral Gloss and standard polishes was immediately noticeable. The wax applied cleanly, building up a flawless, glassy layer on the toe caps that truly achieved that mirror finish. Crucially, it didn't haze or streak. What truly impressed me was its performance on the complex multitone tan leather. Often, strong waxes can mute the subtle color variations on lighter or mixed-color shoes, but the Amiral Gloss enhanced the depth of the tan, providing a rich luminosity without compromising the leather's unique tonal character. The application was smooth and effortless, aided by my application method using a trusty Selvyt cloth. With just a small amount of polish and a touch of water, the wax leveled perfectly, making the final buffing stage quick and highly rewarding. For the serious shoe care enthusiast, the investment in SAPHIR is entirely justified. This polish not only delivers a superior, durable shine but also respects the quality and color of the leather. It’s a genuine shoe shine game-changer.

This is easily the best polish I’ve used for getting a really sharp, high-gloss finish on dress shoes. It works especially well as a finishing polish once you have already built up a good base. For anyone who likes a properly bulled finish, this is excellent. It gives that final level of shine and depth that cheaper polishes often struggle to achieve. You still need to put the time in, but the results are absolutely worth it. It is particularly good on toe caps and heel counters where you want that mirror shine. A little goes a long way, and it feels like a quality product rather than something that just adds a quick temporary shine. Overall, outstanding polish. Expensive compared with basic tins, but for finishing a highly bulled pair of shoes, it is worth it.

A good polish

Brilliant shine.

Love Saphir, best quality polish on the market. I use it to polish and bull. It’s soft and easy to apply and is definitely worth the money.

great product superb

50ml tin of Saphir (World's leading) French shoe/boot polish; black. Unlike another well known shoe polish manufacturer, who uses a thin, small propelling 'wing nut' affair, to open their tins (often breaking off), Saphir simply (& effectively) screw open or close. As expected, a top quality, easy to apply polish, drying dull, buffing to a brilliant shine. The more layers, the greater and greater, lasting shine. Each time after the initial polish, becomes easier and easier to maintain the shine. These will pass muster on any soldier's boots. Only 4 out of 5 stars for value, because it is priced too dear for most budgets in comparison with the competition. However, in terms of performance/results, it's a winner. The closet rival that I have used, is a Parade Gloss but the Saphir is easier to apply and quicker at getting hoped for results. The polish smell is not as strong as some rivals, probably because of the higher quality ingredients used. See the photographs; one pair of boots is a work in progress & works on jackets, etc. too. Definitely a polished performer!

Great product that works really good!

Excelente calidad del producto

Beste Qualität

I’ve always been a fan of Kiwi Parade Gloss. Since they quit making it I’ve never found a good substitute, until now. The paste is definitely harder than Kiwi, but it applies well and buffs to a nice shine. I only spent about an hour building a base coat so I’ll be interested to see how it holds up. Other than being a little pricey, I have no complaints.

Sencilla de usar para sacar mucho brillo después de aplicar una crema o cera protectora.