Tired Old Soles

Hello everyone,

As promised yesterday, today's topic will be: Shoe Trees.

Shoe trees are an essential for high quality shoes.  Not only will they keep your shoes looking younger, longer- but they will also deodorize and dry out the moisture from sweaty feet which can pose harmful effects upon the leather.

I first started buying shoe trees when I bought my first pair of Salvatore Ferragamo loafers.  My pair is the Devario Moc- and the leather is divine.  Shoe trees range in price from $10 and up, and if it only take $10 to maintain a $400 pair of shoes- it's a no brainer.  However, I would never pay more than $15 for a set.  I only have two sets of shoe trees (I plan to add more soon)  I prefer the Nordstrom pair over the Von Maur pair- they seem to do a better job of shaping the shoe and the Von Maur set falls a little short.

Just like shoes, shoe trees come in different sizes, so be sure to match up the size of the shoe tree to your shoes- otherwise you can overstretch the shoes and then you're stuck with an unwearable pair shoes.

Every six months or so be sure to sand the shoe trees- this will revitalize them and bring back that delicious cedar smell we all enjoy.

My Salvatore Ferragamo Devario loafers

The Nordstrom shoe trees 

Shoe trees aren't just for expensive Italian shoes- you can put them in your basic everyday lace-ups.  This pair of Cole Haan captoes was purchased in 2009 for my partner's brother's wedding.  They were my first pair of "designer" shoes, and they are oh so comfy.  As you can see they've been around the block a few times (literally) and shoe trees really help to smooth out those unsightly wrinkles where your toes bend as you walk.  

Here you can see how the shoe trees improved my shoes for storage:

Pre- Trees

Close up of the wear-and-tear of a normal day

The Von Maur shoe trees

Many shoe trees have a spreading mechanism- as the rod comes in closer to the front of the shoe, the two wooden bits at the front spread- this gives them maximum shape holding abilities

Applying the shoe trees

Notice how the mechanism works?

I find that tying the laces also allows for proper storage and helps keep the shoe tight around the shoe tree.

I hope that you have all enjoyed today's fun exploration into Shoe Trees.  As I have said before, I cannot stress the importance of using them to maintain not only expensive footwear- but everyday footwear as well.

Until next time-