When you make the investment in a quality pair of leather shoes, it’s important to properly care for them so they can last you a lifetime. One of the easiest ways you can care for a nice pair of leather shoes is simply to use a shoe tree – the same one’s your parents used to use!
Why use a shoe tree in the first place?
Moisture deteriorates leather. Every day when you slip on your shoes, your feet begin to sweat — a little, or a lot — and when you take them off at night and place them in your closet, that salty sweat sits in your shoes, slowly drying out the leather and over time creating tears, creasing, and wrinkles.
Fortunately, this shoe leather damage is 100% preventable. To keep your leather shoe’s dry and maintain their shape, you just need to use a cedar shoe tree. Made of porous moisture-wicking cedar wood, these shoe trees wick away moisture, keeping your shoes dry and perfectly in-shape.
Bonus? They also help keep odor away! Who doesn’t like a whiff of fresh smelling shoes in the morning?
How to choose a shoe tree?
It’s important to select the correct shoe or boot tree for your footwear so you don’t overstretch or disfigure your shoes. Shoe trees are not shoe stretchers, and when used in the right way, they will not change the shape of your shoes in any way.
Check the sizing of the shoe tree prior to purchase. It should fit in snugly, not loose. Nor should it be so tight you can see the shoe contorting in ways you know it shouldn’t. A cobbler can help you select the perfect shoe tree. They’re the experts, after all.
One thing to note is that plastic is never ideal as it’s not for moisture-wicking, so it’s best to stick with cedar. If traveling with a shoe tree is a must, plastic can be lighter, but be sure to switch back to cedar as soon as you get back home.
Where do I buy cedar shoe trees?
Plano Shoe Repair is stocked with shoe trees (and dozens of other key shoe care products) to protect your favorite leather footwear. Simply visit our cobblers and we’ll get you everything you need.