A Guide to Shoe Trees: How Important Are They for Your Shoes?

In this guide, we will discuss the different types of shoe trees and their importance, not just to your shoes in general, but to your wardrobe as well. There are a lot of myths and opinions about shoe trees, but are they really true or just a result of clever marketing? There are some so-called ‘facts’ that seem more branding than reality. In this post, I will give you a completely rational explanation of how important shoe trees are for your shoes and whether you should use them at all.

Do I really need shoe trees?

If your dress shoes cost less than $195, you probably don’t need shoe trees. That’s because there’s a 95% chance that these shoes are not made of real leather. Yes, you can buy them to help maintain the shape of your shoes, but if you don’t know the material your shoes are made of and how they react to stretching, it’s hard to say if shoe trees will really help you or not.

In most cases, if your shoes are cheap, they are not going to last long. So, buying shoe trees and spending extra on them doesn’t seem to make sense as it won’t play a significant role in increasing their lifespan. Unless your shoes are made of high-quality leather, the use of shoe trees won’t make much of a difference.

Why are shoe trees important?

If you wear expensive, branded and full-grain leather shoes, shoe trees are a must. They not only help maintain the shape of your shoes but also increase the life of the leather and absorb excess moisture, thereby increasing the longevity of the shoes.

As we move forward, we will discuss the different types of shoe trees, their benefits, choosing the right material, and the best ways to use them. The next paragraph will be on this topic.

Are your $200-$300 shoes worth shoe trees?

If your shoes cost between $200-$300, the use of shoe trees will depend entirely on the purpose for which you buy your footwear.

If you spend $200-$300 every year buying new shoes and replacing old ones, the only benefit of shoe trees is that they will help reduce odor, especially if you are using cedar wood shoe trees. Additionally, it will also help reduce creasing, making your shoes look more attractive. But if it comes to extending their life in the long term, there is no compelling reason to buy shoe trees.

When Shoe Trees Make Sense

However, if you buy shoes that cost $200-$300 but keep multiple pairs and rotate them so they last longer, shoe trees will be extremely useful. Getting separate shoe trees for each pair will make it easier to maintain their shape and keep them looking good for longer.

In the next section we will discuss the importance of shoe trees and how to choose the right one for expensive shoes ($300+).

Which Shoe Trees Are Right For You?

There are a lot of shoe trees available on the market, and each one claims to be the best. But the real question is, which one will be right for your shoes?

To be honest, most people aren’t sure. In fact, there is no solid answer as to which shoe tree is best.

The Most Important Aspect of Shoe Trees – Shape and Fit

The main function of a good shoe tree is to maintain the shape of your shoe and prevent it from warping. It also helps to reduce moisture, prevent creasing, and reduce odor.

Expensive Shoes = Expensive Shoe Trees?

Many people believe that if your shoes are expensive, then the shoe trees should be expensive, and if the shoes are cheap, then the shoe trees should be cheap.

The extent to which this is true is debatable.

In my opinion, if your shoes are very expensive ($500+), you can afford to get a premium quality shoe tree. But if someone says that a $150+ shoe tree is the only thing that can keep your expensive shoes in shape, they are just trying to sell you a product.

Best Shoe Trees for Shoes Under $300

If your shoes cost less than $300 and you want to use shoe trees, you don’t need to spend more than the shoe trees available in the $20-$40 range.

These shoe trees:

✅ Help maintain the shape of your shoe (albeit to a limited extent).

✅ Can also reduce odors to some extent, especially if they are made of cedar wood.

Beware of cheap shoe trees!

Some low-quality shoe trees can even damage your shoes.

Especially those that work through spring pressure, as they can bend the arch of the shoe the wrong way, changing its natural shape.

👉 Some shoe trees put too much pressure on the front of the shoe and also stretch the heel counter too much, which can ruin the shape of the shoe.

Now we will talk about which material is best – Cedar vs Plastic vs Metal shoe trees. 🚀

The Right Shoe Trees for $300-$1000 Shoes

If your shoes fall in the $300-$1000 range and you see them as a long-term investment, you should opt for shoe trees priced between $50-$110.

Why are shoe trees important?

✔️ They fill the entire shoe nicely, keeping their shape for a long time.

✔️ They are not very expensive, if you find the right place.

✔️ They also help reduce moisture and odor.

However, one drawback is that they do not give a 100% perfect fit in the shoes. But is it really necessary?

👉 I consider myself a “Shoe Snob”, yet I don’t think you should spend a lot of money looking for a perfectly fitting shoe tree.

Perfect fit vs practical fit

If you have bespoke or custom made shoes, you may prefer lasted shoe trees (i.e. ones made to the exact size of your shoes).

But the reality is that most people don’t pay much attention to them. I myself have used good general fitting shoe trees, and they work great.

✔️ One thing to note is that the more perfect fitting the shoe tree is, the more difficult it will be to insert and remove it from the shoe.

How to choose the best shoe trees?

When you are looking for a good shoe tree, pay attention to these things:

✅ Instep Fitting – The shoe tree should fit well in the upper part of the shoe.

✅ Heel Cup Shape – It should keep the heel of the shoe in the correct shape.

✅ Sloped Vamp – This helps to keep the front of the shoe in the right shape.

👉 If you find the right shaped shoe tree at the right price, it will be the best option!

Best Shoe Trees for Shoes Under +$1000

If your shoes fall into the +$1000 category, you may want to consider Lasted Shoe Trees.

What are Lasted Shoe Trees?

👉 “Lasted Shoe Trees” means that the shoemaker creates the shoe tree based on the exact size of your shoes. This gives the shoes a 100% perfect fit and keeps their shape for a long time.

Are they necessary?

❌ Absolutely not! They are just a luxury addition, not a necessity.

❌ It’s like getting a custom interior on a Ferrari—not necessary, but looks nice.

✅ If you’re on a budget and want a perfect fit, this can be a great addition.

Can cheap shoe trees do the job?

✔️ Yes! If you want, you can also use cheap and good quality shoe trees.

✔️ It will not harm your shoes, it will just make them look a little less attractive.

Big Myth: Cedar vs. Beech vs. Lime vs. Alderwood – Which is Better?

There is often a debate about Cedar, Beech, Lime and Alderwood shoe trees. But is there really a big difference, or is it just a marketing game? 🤔

Cedar Shoe Trees – Is It the Best Option?

✅ Benefits of Cedar Shoe Trees:

✔️ It has a strong aroma, which can help reduce odors inside the shoe.

✔️ It absorbs moisture, making the shoes dry faster.

❌ Disadvantages of Cedar Shoe Trees:

❌ More likely to break or crack.

❌ Very expensive, while shoe trees made from other woods are cheaper and more durable.

Beech, Lime and Alderwood – Are They Better Than Cedar?

👉 Beech, Lime and Alderwood wood shoe trees also have the ability to absorb moisture, but they do not have a strong odor.

👉 They are stronger and do not break easily.

👉 Excellent quality is available at a low price.

So which shoe tree to buy?

💡 If your shoes smell a lot, then buying Cedar can be beneficial.

💡 If you just want to maintain the shape of the shoes, then it will be more sensible to buy a Beech, Lime or Alderwood wood shoe tree.

💡 If you want a long-lasting and strong shoe tree, stay away from Cedar.

Conclusion:

🚫 Cedar shoe tree is not the best, it is just a marketing gimmick!

✅ If you have to fight moisture and bad odor, then Cedar can be a good option.

✅ But if you want a strong, cheap and durable shoe tree, then Beech, Lime or Alderwood are better.

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Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only. We do not endorse specific brands, and all opinions are based on practical experience and research. Readers should evaluate their shoe care needs before making a purchase.