Reddit mentions: The best shoe & boot trees

Lots of random girly clothing tips here, mostly learned from my mum:

Clothing, general:

1. For anything under $100 that you're on the fence about buying, use this rubric: [Cost of piece] / at least 8 [wears] = or < $2.50
   
   You should be able to anticipate if you will be able to wear the piece 8x or more. If not, don't buy it.
   
   
2. Shop used.
   
   If you know how to dress, go shop at Goodwill or other thrift stores. Just spot check for certain things e.g. smells, stains, moth holes/cigarette burns, small rips, wearing on hems, sweat stains in underarm areas (these are the big ones that are more often than not, unfixable). Flip the garment inside out and check. Check the pockets. Wash/dry clean your stuff before you wear it.
   
   
3. Checking for quality:
   
   My mother worked in garment factories for many years since arriving in NYC in the late 70s. Most of the people here and abroad are doing very simple jobs and it basically works like an assembly line; my mother would get 10 cents for every collar she'd sew onto a shirt and the like. Sometimes, people are either inexperinced or cut corners or both so you must check that the stitching is straight. Look for puckering (sewing machine set to wrong tension, might shrink funny) on the seams and make sure that they are symmetrical. Rub the garment and if dye rubs off on your hand, don't buy it.
   
   Proportion
   
4. You can tell how you're built from your wrist: by taking your middle finger and thumb, wrap it loosely around your wrist. If your fingers overlap, you are delicate boned; if they come together easily, you are medium boned; if they don't come together, you are big-boned.
   
   
5. Ladies: get your purses/jewelry based on proportion. If you are a tiny woman, don't get a giant bag and if you are a big woman, don't wear a teeny purse. If it really matters to you, this can also apply to pets - not everyone can look cute with a chihuahua.
   
   
6. Prints to proportion: never wear a print that is larger than your fist (i.e. flower print). Tiny prints are to be worn by tiny people and so forth.
   
   
7. Colour to proportion: don't wear large amounts of pastel if you are a big woman (trimmings and such are fine but no more than that), similarly, if you are small, don't swathe yourself in black.
   
   Shoes (I am a dancer and general shoe enthusiast)
   
8. If you can help it, don't buy shoes that retail for less than $100. Even if you don't buy premium on anything else, always buy the best you can afford when it comes to shoes and bedding/mattress b/c you spend a lot of time on your feet and on your back.
   
   
9. Learn about your feet:
   Check how your shoes wear on different pairs. You probably wear down each individual shoe in different places. Know where the spots are and always be aware of them. Shoes that are no longer supportive (after 1 year of regular daily wear) are bad for your feet/legs/back. This is particularly true for sports shoes and high heels.
   
   
10. Learn to buy shoes:
    Once you understand your feet and their idiosyncracies, you will be better able to buy shoes. Don't rely on sizing b/c it's not rigorously upheld across the market. If there is a width sizing (N/M/W, A/B/C, etc.), ask if there are different widths to try on. You might not be a 7.5M but a 7N in dress shoes and maybe closer to a 6.5 in certain brands of sneakers. Designer shoes tend to run smaller and narrower. In some department stores, there is a separate section, usually on a different floor from women's shoes called "salon shoes." Those are the good ones and don't shop outside of that section if you can.
    
    Ladies: when buying high heels, make sure your foot fits snugly w/o it being too tight, especially in the box (widest part of the shoe). Too loose and you will tire out your feet trying to keep it on, too tight and you'll develop a whole host of foot problems which I'm sure you're already acquainted with. Make sure that the shoe is balanced correctly and that you are not sliding into the toe box.
    
    Always buy shoes at the end of the day, when your feet have flattened out a little.
    
    
11. Learn to break in your shoes:
    With the exception of sports shoes, most shoes will require some break-in time. Not only that but b/c most people don't have perfectly uniform feet (as previously alluded to), you will probably have to modify them in some way. Breaking them in just means having your feet and whatever covering (socks, tights, etc.) in the shoes so they can mold to your feet. Wear them in the house, at the computer, etc. This can be expedited (but not replicated) by using a 2 way shoe stretcher and getting one with removable "pods" (for problem spots) is a good idea:
    
    http://www.amazon.com/FootSmart-FitRight-Two-Way-Shoe-Stretcher/dp/B000KPMBWU
    
    If one foot is bigger than the other or if you have narrow heels (shoes slip off the back of your foot), use sticky heel grips. The store-brand ones tend to be thinner than the Dr. Scholl's ones.
    
    ALWAYS have proper arch support. Get an orthodic made if you can (some insurance carriers don't cover them but even a drugstore one is good). Anticipate this when buying shoes (may have to buy them a size larger). I typically rip out the existing shoe support/lining, which is flimsy but pretty well glued to the shoe, and put my orthodics in.
    Ladies: Flats can be just as bad for your feet as heels if you do not have arch support. Heel spurs and shin splints are just some of the problems you can get from wearing unsupportive flats.
    
    
12. Take care of your shoes
    
    Generally, some warm water and gentle soap will get minor stains out. Leather shoes require a brush, a special cleaner, and the proper shining wax + cloth for buffing. You can get decently priced materials at the drug store. I like to keep old toothbrushes around for spot cleaning. Hand lotion works in a pinch if you don't have shoe cleaner.
    
    
13. Ladies: learn to walk in your high heels:
    Seriously, you don't look cute when you're in pain, taking mincing steps. Stand up straight and walk from heel->toe. Your shoes should make a nice, clear "clack," not a shuffle. Also, if you intend to wear these shoes and walk in them for an extended period of time, invest in ab/back/leg/butt work. No one said wearing heels was a right and if you don't have the right muscles to support yourself, you will kill your knees and lower back.
    
    Misc.:
    
    Face - always wear sunscreen (nothing lower than 10SPF, UVA and UVB protection) if you're going to be out in the sun for more than 10 minutes and get ALL your makeup and sunscreen off before you go to bed, no exceptions. Moisturize. Even if you're ugly, if your complexion is good, you can at least pass off as plain or just lazy. The only time you shouldn't wear sunscreen is if you're getting pictures taken b/c there are particles that reflect light and will make you look like the joker (same goes for mineral makeup).
    
    An easy way to see if a colour compliments you: get a large piece of something gold lame-like or gold jewelry and another piece in silver (I like to do this on lame cloth). Put your hand against it/wear the jewelry. Which one makes you look sallow? If it's silver, you should wear warm tones, if it's gold, you wear cool tones. All colours have a warm and cold version (even black - one is red-based and one is blue-based). It takes practise. You can do that test on every piece of clothing you own but it's more apparent when it's against gold/silver.
    
    For makeup, just go to the makeup counter or sephora, get your colours done, and buy basic stuff you intend to use every day (tinted moisturizer w/ spf, lipstick). When they're in the right tones, it makes you look like an improved version of you. When they're wrong, you look like a zombie. It's better to get better quality stuff in the right colours than to spend lots of money on cheap stuff in the wrong colour. This also leads to an issue of skin undertones - White people tend to have pink undertones, Asians tend to have yellow/olive. Find out what they are and what brands of makeup (Asians, go look at companies from Japan and Korea or the makeup available by large distributors like L'oreal catering to the Asian market) are best for your skin tone and run with it.

My wardrobe isn't gigantic, but I too started acquiring more once I figured out my personal style and found some good local sources. I also tend to want to find the "best" (for my purposes) version of an item, I like to be prepared for anything, and I have a chronic illness that makes me uncomfortable in certain items on many days, all of which means I've got a bunch of small capsules-of-sorts for formal occasions, cold weather, sick days, etc.

My systems:

• I keep rarely used and out-of-season capsules separate and stored where I can least access and thus least see them. The goal is avoid looking at a whole bunch of clothes right in front of me, not sure why none of it seems like what I want to wear that day or why I keep grabbing the same few. If half of it has been weaned out for good reasons, I see only items I might actually wear now, which keeps me from feeling guilty for passing so many up and makes me more aware of "hidden" items I didn't notice when they were outnumbered. Note on weaning out: There are gray area pieces that I could wear if I just decided to dress fancy-ish on a normal day or layer that maxi dress under a sweater, and I just have to be realistic about whether I'd actually like the outfit I could make with it or am kidding myself about its versatility or my lifestyle.
  
• I keep items with similar uses in the same part of the closet, so I don't forget about one type and always reach for another. For example, jeans are in a folded stack beneath a few hanging skirts and bottoms, and in a drawer under that (nearly, anyway) are leggings and tights. If I don't do that, I grab the things I can see and forget about the ones in a far-away drawer.
  
• I keep frequently-used shoes by the door and extra purty/rarely used ones in a visible place in the closet. It might seem obvious for practical reasons, but I also (mostly) don't need to see what my outfits look like with the knee-high boots I wear every other day, while I'm still experimenting with my other shoes and need to see them in the mirror and remember I have them when I'm looking around my closet for options. As with the above, out-of-season (sandals) and truly rarely used shoes (schmancy heels) are stored away, because it's more space efficient, I don't need them cluttering up my field of vision, and I know where to look if I need them.
  
• I keep all clothes with like clothes, which certainly isn't uncommon but I know isn't everyone's instinct. Tanks with tanks (plain identical cotton ones folded beneath other hanging ones), l/s with l/s, nice sweaters grouped, more sporty sweaters grouped, etc.
  
• Everything in a drawer must be visible. I hear that's Konmari-style too, storing everything vertically instead of stacking. That goes for my scarves, beanies, underwear, leggings...well, almost everything except in one drawer where I keep stacks of things like old tanks for home use and just take one off the top.
  
  Products:
  
  
• I use the velvet-coated hangers from Amazon, because they're not only thin but uniform: I don't want different or colorful hangers adding chaos to my view of my closet. I do have a some wooden ones for pants and heavier items like coats, but otherwise I stick to those.
  
• Everyone recommends the IKEA Skubb set for drawers, but even IKEA offers others that might better suit your needs, depending on what you're folding and the size of your drawers. I have and love a set of these Komplement trays, which are made for their PAX system but also fit in some of my drawers and are great for larger items than most of the Skubbs. Besta also has a couple interesting options, and Komplement includes some jewelry trays like this one. (I use a couple plain trays from The Container Store, myself.)
  
• ETA: I also use these to keep my boots up, so they're not flopping about all willy-nilly.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate the day!

Story

I was recently contacted by Trimly's owner and asked if I would be interested in a pair of their boot trees for review.

I had no idea that anything of the sort existed and I jumped at the chance to get my hands on boot-specific trees to see what they were all about.

The first pair were too large due to confusion between EU and US sizing, but another pair was sent in the correct size and the Amazon page was amended to avoid this error going forward.

The first pair is currently en route to another GYW member that can use them.

Size

The trees are in EU sizing. Size 43-44 fits the following very well:

• Vass P2 last, size 43.5
  
• Alden Truebalance last, size 10.5 D
  
• Allen Edmonds 511 last, size 11 D
  
• Allen Edmonds 5 (65) last, size 11.5 D
  
• Edward Green 82 last, size 10 UK / 10.5 US
  
  The only issue I encountered was with my Viberg 2030s.
  
  They fit once they're in but, with the way the tongue attaches to the facings on both my CXL and latigo boots, it makes it difficult to insert and remove the trees without first removing the laces or loosening them to the fullest.
  
  There may be a deft twist-and-push/pull method to solve this, but I need more practice.
  
  Review
  
  I really like them. They fit perfectly in my boots and have great throat support when the boots are tied. The heel is nicely wide but tapers towards the top to avoid stretching any outer edges.
  
  I was surprised by how well they fit my Galways. While I won't be swapping out the lasted trees, these would be a perfectly viable alternative if did not already have them.
  
  I do not have lasted trees for my pair of Vass boots, which is where this first pair will live.
  
  The best endorsement I can give is that I will be sending the link out to family in answer to the yearly "what do you want for Christmas" query and wouldn't mind about 5-6 more pairs.
  
  Happy Thanksgiving
  
  Did I say that already? Sorry. Too much mead already.

Hi of course! I am planning on writing a review sometime soon but I have not had a good place to take photos of my shoes 😩 and then there still all the other bags I’ve ordered...

But I am a size 5.5-6 in heels/flats and size up to a 6.5 in Nike’s/running shoes. I originally ordered a size 36 from the fisherman seller. The size 36 were a little too loose... I couldn’t wear them out but there were obvious gaps between the leather and my foot and my heel easily slipped out.

Because of that I ended up ordering two more pairs in sizes 35 instead. I got those on Monday and they were pretty tight but I could tell that they fit me better. But I knew that I could not wear them out straight out of the box. I probably would have gotten blisters on the back of my heel. So, I researched how to stretch out Chanel Espadrilles and found this video. I bought the same shoe stretcher on Amazon and stretched out my size 35’s. I did that and only did each shoe for around half a day or less and now they fit me perfectly!

I would HIGHLY recommend buying that shoe stretcher if you have espadrilles that are too small. I believe it can stretch about 1/2 a size more and it breaks in your shoes for you! It is such a hassle to return or resell them sometimes and you could just try out the stretcher. I have amazon prime so it gets to me in 2 days and if for some reason it doesn’t work out their return policy is super easy.

Sorry if I went off topic! I have wanted these espadrilles SO bad so I was definitely on the hunt to try and make them work out for me. Hope this helps!

I recently bought a pair of Red Wing IR boots. They fit quite snug but I actually find them super comfortable. Even though they are stiff already I can tell they are going to be comfortable.

However, my wife wasn't super pleased with the price tag - she wants me to make sure I take good care of them and that they actually do last a lifetime. Protip: talk with your spouse prior to buying ~$280 boots :-)

Anyways, I've worn a pair of King's Toe boots now for almost 10 years so I trust the quality, but I'm wanting to make sure I do everything possible to appease the missus.

My understanding of what I need to do:

1. Clean with a cloth/brush to remove dirt frequently
   
2. Occasionally lightly condition, I bought this when I bought them at the recommendation of the store salesman. I probably will only need to do this every month or less since I don't "heavily" wear them
   
3. Buy a shoe tree of some sort - any recommendations? Is this one good enough?
   
   I'm also concerned regarding frequency of wearing. Red Wing doesn't say anywhere about trying to avoid wearing them every day, but in my read all-the-things quest here I've seen a lot of discussion on that point but only in passing, is there a good explanation for why/how that is important? I'm surprised not to see it anywhere on RW's site.
   
   

> durable and could last hopefully over 8 months

durable can mean many things, and you seem to need a few different things ...

> I'm getting tired of finding holes both on the inside and outside of sneakers that are months old

So it sounds like you might need hard wearing outers to deal with rocks, brambles, dog walking in long grass. That bit should be easy; choose sneakers meant for off-roading that have leather/suede/hard outers. I'm not sure Adidas PrimeKnit will stand up to dog walking on the sand dunes with tough grass and brambles, for instance, but the Adidas Terrex shoes would do a better job.

> that can handle ~20 miles of walking/jogging per week

Miles per week doesn't matter. Total mileage does. Durable in terms of "soles that last a lot of miles" is not something manufacturers really advertise in sneakers. Most manufacturers advise a max of 500 miles/6 months of wear before you'll see serious sole deterioration that can lead to injury.

Your personal mileage may also vary. Do you "float" as a runner, or stomp? It also depends on your gait (do you have exaggerated gait issues that lead to heavy wear/compression in particular spots of the sole), your weight, how hard you heel-strike/lift-off etc. You might naturally get more than 500 miles out of sneakers, you might naturally get a lot less.

Speaking of gait you should regularly your gait measured (they usually do it for free) at a running store to see if you need neutral/stable shoes for running (or even orthotics) to make sure you don't exacerbate any issues and lead to injuries.

> I walk/jog/ and work all in the same pair.

I don't know what your work is. If it is just sitting then the only concern here is the amount of time you have the shoes on your feet, and how smelly/sweaty they'll get. If it is a lot of walking and manual labour (lifting/twisting your feet on the spot) that's another. Something like the continental soles on the newer adidas terrex/boosts etc. might make the soles last longer, particularly if you find you've been wearing the tread in the same spot on your old pairs. They also might be safer as they are grippy on slick floors.

Given you wear them every day, as much as anything else it's about how you look after them. I would make sure you dry them every night so they don't rot/smell. After you take them off loosen the laces and let them breath for twenty minutes. If they got rained on then take out the insoles and stuff with newspaper to help them dry them out properly. Once dried/if not rained on then use cedar shoe trees to kill bacteria, make them smell good and stop them rotting inside (they only cost $20, get them 3 sizes smaller than your shoes and take out the springs if they look like they might stretch them). Don't put them in a warm place to dry every day; that just helps the bacteria grow.

----------------

TL;DR

• You seem to want durable outers. If you wear holes in your outers quickly then get shoes meant for trail running/off-roading with hard-wearing material.
  
• You also seem to want soles that last (8 months of 20 miles a week = 640 miles) but most manufacturers recommend a 500 mile/6 month limit on soles for running shoes. You may just have to revise expectations on that. However getting your gait analysed will help pick soles that match/help your gait and may decrease the wear on certain spots on the soles/cushioning.
  
• You also wear them every day; there's no fix there other than drying them out every night using newspaper/cedar shoe trees to stop them rotting/smelling.
  

Though I don't use leather boots at the brewery, I'm a huge boot nerd.

One of the biggest rules of leather boot care is letting your boots rest for at least 24 hours before wearing again. This gives time for all the moisture to be wicked away, especially from accumulated sweat while working. Cedar shoe trees are also your best friend, and will help even more with taking away moisture (plus they smell awesome). Put them in immediately after use!

As for leather care itself, coconut oil or Obenauf's oil are both excellent. Brush your boots with shoe brush, or wipe them down with a damp warm cotton cloth. Let dry, then apply the oil to the leather with your fingers, working the it in naturally with the warmth from your body (you'll feel sexy). Let the boots dry overnight, and then they'll be good to go! Coconut oil or Obenauf's will darken the leather a bit, so be aware of that.

I would shoot for twice a month for conditioning - really depends on how hard you work your boots.

Hope that helps!

How tight should shoe trees fit into your shoes?

I've had a pair of these shoe trees for a while. They're a size medium, and I wear a 9D. That's apparently the right size.

They go pretty 'deep' into the shoe, but they definitely have a bit of resistance, and the 'heel' of the shoe tree is definitely engaging the spring, even at fully inserted position.


I just got these when I ordered some Bucks. I also ordered Mediums, and according to the chart, that's the proper size. These are much looser overall (in my other shoes too, not just the new ones.) The spring is much more lightly engaged when it's fully inserted.

They expand a bit, but they aren't pushing against the heel of the shoe nearly as much as my other pair. The others definitely aren't TOO big for the shoe, but I'm wondering if these are okay, or if I should upsize?

Basically, I never thought about how much force there should be in there.

So our cleaning lady accidentally put my rep Chanel espadrilles in the donation bin a few months ago and last week I received a replacement from the same seller (AliExpress guy I added on whatsapp). They were the same size (37) but fit tighter and a tad shorter than my old ones :cries: so I went to Amazon to get a 4 way shoe tree to stretch them and came across this spray. OMG it was like a miracle! I sprayed in and out, put in the trees and left overnight. This morning they were perfect! Even loose enough to wear with thin no-show socks.

I know breaking in shoes can literally be a pain so I figured sharing this might help someone. Have a great day ladies!

Hello everybody!

I recently bought R.M. Williams comfort craftsmans and was wondering which shoetree pair from woodlore I should buy!

My current options are Woodlore adjustable cedar shoe trees and the Woodlore epic twin-tube shoe tree pair

I don't know which one is better for the shoe I have (R.M. Williams comfort craftsman in 10.5H UK sizing) I don't know what size and type of shoe tree is best for my boot and was wondering if anybody here had any experiences with something like this and willing to help!

My first GYW pair as well, also black cherry. I picked up a Lexol Leather Care Kit that comes with leather cleaner and conditioner. I wore them a few times and then cleaned and conditioned them according to the kit instructions. After each wear I brush them down with a horse hair brush and when I'm not wearing them I put in shoe trees.

I clean/condition them after about 5-6 weeks, unless I get them really muddy or something. There are surely others on this sub with better knowledge of leather care, but this routine has been working fine for me so far. Most will recommend giving them 24 hours to rest after wearing, but, y'know, they're boots.

Have you tried shoe stretch spray in conjunction with a shoe stretcher?

It seems the leather is pretty soft and pliable on the espadrilles so I'm sure it would work. Do you need more width or more length?? I've stretched several pairs of rep shoes both width and length wise (including Gucci Brixtons and Prada brouges) with great success that way.

But if you get two pairs of shoes, alternate between them, and use some shoe trees, they easily last more than twice as long. Basically, by alternating them, you allow the shoe to completely dry out and "rest" between wearings, but if you wear the same shoes daily, they wear out much faster, since they never fully dry, or reform to their "default" shape.

I've even done this with a couple pairs of Sketchers, and they've lasted me over 2 years and still going strong (which is a pretty good run, for Sketchers).

I've been lurking for a while but finally made an account to ask this:

I decided to go with Red Wing Beckmans (9023) as my first high-quality footwear purchase. I also purchased a Kiwi 100% Horsehair Shine Brush, a Lexol 907 Leather Care Kit, and Woodlore Adjustable Men's Shoe Tree (Cedar).

My first question is: how should the shoe trees fit into my Beckmans? I went to a Red Wing store and got sized. They said I have wide feet and recommended I get 8.5 (I usually wear 8.5s in regular footwear like Van's and Nike). I purchased the 8.5 Beckmans and I've worn them about 8 times now. Out of paranoia, I double checked with the Red Wing store to see if the boots were creasing properly (as I have a lot of toe space and was worried that it might be too big). They assured me that It was fine. I ordered size medium (8-9.5 size) and They arrived yesterday. I inserted them into the boots but noticed that it was pretty difficult to get them in there and the heel of the shoe tree scratches against the heel of the boot when inserting. I notice if I wiggle the front of the shoe trees in a bit more before inserting the heel, it doesn't scratch the heel of the boot. I apologize if the picture quality is poor , I only have my phone at this time. Is this okay for my Beckmans? Or should I return these for a different shoe trees? I'm worried about them being stretched improperly. If I should get different ones, can someone direct me to a specific shoe tree? Here are some pictures of my 9023s with the shoe trees.

My second question is, do I need any other care products than the ones I listed above? My care regime currently will be to brush after each use, shoe trees for a minimum of 1 day before next wear, Lexol clean and condition once a month and/or after they get really dirty.

I can't say for sure if they are the best, but I've had good luck with the cheapest Woodlore trees on Amazon. I've found their springs to be very tight, so I size down 1 from the recommended size (i.e. I am 8.5-9 and I use Small).

I have a bunion on my right foot and use this with the bunion button placed in the right area. Got one for shoes too. Two pairs of my boots and 4 pairs of shoes are much more comfortable for me now.

1. Yep
   
2. Nope. Go easy (1 or or 1 1/2 turn when it gets tight). Use shoe stretch spray (BTW, the IPA works good for shell water spots too). Leave for 12-24 hours. Better to go in 2-3 stages than one big stage if needed although probably just one needed for the tailor bunion. Pretty small right?
   
3. Just use the stretcher. They work.

I've had very good luck with these shoe trees on Amazon. They're made by Woodlore, which is owned by Allen Edmonds. These are the same trees as marketed by AE, just cheaper than if they had the AE name on them. I believe they're made in Wisconsin. I use them in my Red Wing Moc Toes and Iron Rangers and they fit very well.

Yep! I use these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PEEAOS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01

They fit them perfectly. They're split at the front and are designed to expand when you push them into the shoe.

Simple Lexol conditioner will be more than sufficient the first time just to give the leather some life. Not sure how long they could've been sitting in the box before you purchased them. No need to go crazy with maintenance on those boots. Using a simple horsehair brush before each wear just to knock any dust off of them will be enough. Those boots are meant to take a beating, rain, dirt, mud, whatever - they'll be fine. No wax on them. Ever.

Leather conditioner is like the conditioner we put on our skin. Leather after all is skin, and it gets dried out. It just needs to get some moisture to it.

As far as a shoe tree - the one you linked is pretty nice and if you feel like spending the money for it that's fine. An inexpensive one like this will be more than sufficient..

I think Nordstroms half yearly sale may get you some pretty cheap shoe trees (~$15) too - may want to check over there first. The shoe trees are just there to provide some moderate shape to the boot. The leather is pretty thick on those and will be more than fine without it - but it'll keep any thick wrinkles from developing in the vamp. If you sweat a lot in the boots, the cedar provides some relief to the leather from the moisture build up.

I'm looking to buy a bulk set of shoe trees. I'm a 9D but all of my boots are 8D or 8.5D. The sizing chart for the shoe trees says 8-8.5D small and 9D medium. Wondering from talks experience if trees tended to be before buying in your foot size or boot size.

Shoe trees I am looking at purchasing and sizing chart if you are interested

Cedar Elements Little Wholesale Program - Cedar Shoe Tree - 6 Pairs (M) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T57HKU2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QWjKAbXN2ECDZ

I have these cedarwood shoe trees from a German manufacturer for $22 each. These shoe trees from amazon.com seem to be similar to them and the price is very good as well. Shoe trees are the most important part of shoe care (but never use them with primeknit).

Pretty much any shoe tree of the right size will work. The one you linked is perfectly fine. That being said, for my boots I personally prefer shoe trees with more filled out heel sections, so I use the Woodlore Epic. They're a bit more expensive but compared to the cost of the boots they go in, I don't find them to be excessively so. If you're looking to save a few bucks, I've seen them on Massdrop in a pack of 2 pairs for ~$40 or so, which is a decent discount.

I just bought a pair of Woodlore adjustable cedar shoe trees in medium from the US (online) and they are too big for my shoes. They are suited for sizes 8D-9.5D, however I found with my 8D shoes they applied too much pressure. I would say they are better suited for sizes 9D-10D.

I have only put them in my shoes once, and they are for all practical purposes brand new. Comes in original box and will be packed up securely.

I am looking for $20CAD plus whatever shipping is within Canada only. Paypal

Shoe Trees I Bought

poking around amazon myself.. there are some dirt cheap plastic ones, but the cheapest cedar I'm finding on amazon are also below.

IKEA, plastic, $8.60/2 pairs

http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Keep-Shape-Shoe-pairs/dp/B0046PCKOE/

Songmics, cedar, $17.99/1 pair

http://www.amazon.com/Songmics-Tree-Adjustable-Shaper-ULST011/dp/B01080NL48/

Quick shopping.google search says you could get cedar ones $15/pair through Nordstrom, but doesn't include shipping. I'm super biased/spoiled with Amazon Prime, gah.

ah I found it:

http://www.amazon.com/FootFitter-Bunion-Stretcher-Stretching-
Device/dp/B000POHTOG

Not a shoe tree. Stretches a specific spot. I'm pretty sure most cobbler/shoe repair and even some stores would have one.

Though the water thing sounds really clever, too!

Lexol Conditioner

Horsehair Brush - I use this specific brand. It's made in Germany and I found that after it loses it's initial hair, it doesn't lose anymore. Some brushes I've used that are made in Israel lose all their hair

Woodlore Shoe Trees - I use these specific trees, but you can get trees from Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Jos A Banks, Allen Edmonds, etc. What matters is that they're cedar and not plastic. This will help draw out the moisture and give the leather uppers a shape to dry around and to help the insole dry straight.

Nearly all cedar shoe trees are made by two companies: Rochester and Woodlore (a subsidiary of Allen Edmonds)

Solved! That was really fast thank you!!! Yeah the nicer pair they had were stolen and this is what they have left https://www.amazon.com/FootFitter-Bunion-Stretcher-Stretching-Device/dp/B000POHTOG found some for sale on Amazon so at least that gives them an idea.

And what makes you qualified to speak for the OP? Are you the subby whisperer? "He says... he wants... different ideas." I look forward to the feature film version of this thread, with OP being played by Channing Tatum and you being played by a slightly damp shoe tree.

Speaking of which, OP can click here and get a shoe tree sent to his beloved in about a minute, thus ending this maddening drama for all of us.

I have a few of these that are my favorite. I'm sure someone else can chime in with something better though.

I think Woodlore trees on Amazon are pretty simple and effective. I personally don’t use trees in my suede boots though but I prefer the worn-in look for them. Given that, I also don’t protect them for the same reason.

Woodlore Adjustable Men's Shoe Tree,Cedar,Large (10 - 11 M US) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PEEAOS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ewggAbA018CS3

I've been looking at shoe trees. Do you think this one is better, or this one. Or do you have one that is better than both of those. Also, with the condition that my shoes are in, do you think that using a shoe tree now is too late for my shoes?

Do you know of a good shoe tree? I don't see what to look for at Red Wing Heritage website. I got a Moc Toe if that changes anything. I'm wondering if there are better options than the best seller at Amazon

Buy a cedar shoe tree. You just stick them in your shoes right after work. The natural cedar wood absorbs any excess moisture or odor and they leave your shoes expanded and smelling like fresh cedar.

Changed my life.

I also wear an 8.5 in Viberg and found these shoe trees in medium fit very nicely.

HoundsBay Men’s Cedar Shoe... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GEZPG12?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Same issue for me. I use something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Eachway-Professional-Premium-Stretcher-Adjustable/dp/B01NAKQEBL

to help with break-in. My foot volume is on the large side and kinda big top-to-bottom at midfoot, so I guess I'm just used to having to do things like this with new shoes, "no break in" claims aside.

I got you covered: https://www.amazon.ca/Woodlore-Adjustable-Mens-Cedar-Medium/dp/B00020BFSE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492368026&sr=8-1&keywords=allen+edmonds+shoe+tree


these ones have an automatic adjustable width from C to D. They are made of cedar so it smells nice and absorbs moisture. They are very well polish so it won't scrape your shoes. I have 2 sets my self.

woodlore epic twin tube works pretty well in my experience

I have wide feet. I used A pair of shoe stretchers to give me a little more room https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAKQEBL?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf beat buying another pair of shoes and worked like a charm

For conditioning leather:

https://www.amazon.com/Lexol-1408-Neatsfoot-Dressing-Non-Darkening/dp/B000QFQE68

Brushes:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WZUIG2M

Cedar shoes trees:

https://www.amazon.com/Ollieroo-Mens-Adjustable-Cedar-Trees/dp/B01LVUBVQE

Buffing cloths for a mirror shine:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PV0DSTO

The best brand of shoe polish:

https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Stain-Shoe-Polish-Color/dp/B00UY2KLGC

I wear them year round, but I'm in Vancouver and the summers are mild.

Leaving them on a shelf won't really do them much harm, but if you want to keep their shape well, I recommend a simple pair of shoe trees like these.

New to this sub and I've got a couple questions,

1. Can shoe trees damage or warp boots/shoes?
   
   
2. Do I need to buy special "boot" trees for a pair of captain Thursday boots, or will the ones in the link I provide work?
   
   
3. What size shoe trees should I buy if the captain Thursday boots are 10 1/2, do I follow the shoe trees specs or go a size lower to prevent warping the boots?
   
   Thanks guys😁
   
   Woodlore Adjustable Men's Shoe Tree Pair,Cedar,Large (10 - 11 M US) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PEEAOS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ucnRDb8FM31AP

I’m a size 10 and this thing has been a lifesaver: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0773HD6YR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ldFNDb4RH0WBK

I was able to salvage a pair of too small espadrilles and a pair of Gucci aces.

Yeah they are the HoundsBay Cedar Shoe trees which both expand on the toebox and the length of the shoe! They might be a bit too small for my shoes however.

So this?: http://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Adjustable-Mens-Shoe-Tree/dp/B002VWKREO

Also I am wholly uninformed on this subject. What does maintaining the vamp do vs not? Also would you by those in the extra large or large? Thanks again!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpxWjCrp8O4 - like this

Plain toe or captoe. Brown of any shade preferred. Suede or wingtip I would say is a no go for the wolverine.

One possible problem: The leather sole doesn't hold up if you wear it outside a lot. They absorb all the water really easily which is a problem with anything with a leather sole. If you are in a rainy or snowy area, you might want to go with the Allen Edmond Dalton (choose dainite sole) or Redwing 8111 (the 8111 is more casual than business casual, but still is sexy) since they are both rubber soles. I can't say anything about the Thursday Boots in the above link that has a rubber sole, but some people love them and some people hate them.

Also, cedar shoe trees are not a bad idea ( https://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Adjustable-Mens-Shoe-Tree/dp/B002VWKREO )

You could try stretching them if the next size up is too big. I regularly stretch my shoes since I’m in between sizes. Highly recommend this contraption!

Anyone have the Ollieroo shoe trees, and are they good quality?

I have this and am satisfied: Miserwe Shoe Stretcher with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716V18SS?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Go to a shoe store and buy a shoe tree. It might help the shoe regain its' proper shape.

https://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Adjustable-Mens-Shoe-Tree/dp/B002VWKREO is an example of a shoe tree.

How well do stretchers really work for width on boots (like this)? Have you ever tried it with shell cordovan?

Any regular shoe trees will work for boots, yeah? I just purchased these

i have extra woodlore medium shoetrees in different styles. this, this or this. i'll sell it for cheaper than amazon including shipping, just let me know what you want.

10.5D - I use these in the suggested size, it’s a bit of a snug fit.


Ollieroo Men's Shoe Trees Twin... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WJIRM3Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Sounds like you have wide feet. I tend to stretch out the forefoot across the widest part of my boots with one of these to get more room.

Ty sneakers in blue camo. 4.5 youth. $53.95

Using this shoe stretcher. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01NAKQEBL/ref=gp_aw_ybh_a_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z6QXAT5PKGBNP4BS5KCH

Again. Your foot size seems to be a bit too big and you might waste money for nothing. I don't think they are going to stretch any bigger than 8.

I tried them out last night while outside. Didn't last more than 30 minutes with them. I wish they came in bigger sizes from plae.

These from STP:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/cedarbrooke-by-woodlore-combination-cedar-shoe-tree-for-men~p~94022/?filterString=s~shoe-tree%2F

Or woodlore from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Adjustable-Mens-Cedar-Large/dp/B000PEEAOS/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1482768310&sr=1-1&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=shoe%2Btree&th=1

I have this issue with a lot of shoes cuae my right foot is wider than my left, but I hate wearing shoes that are too long. I bought these Amazon and if a shoe has any preasure points, use put these in them over night. Sometimes it takes a few sessions to get them perfect, but even a few hours stretch makes a big difference for me.

Eachway Shoe Stretcher Shoe Trees,Adjustable Length & Width for Men and Women https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAKQEBL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vAjZDb6Q0B0ZM

You can use one of these to extend the length - they really work!

https://www.amazon.com/Stretcher-Widener-Adjustable-Expander-Included/dp/B0773HD6YR

these shoe trees should work just fine for your boot. i use them in my red wing heritage boots.

http://www.amazon.com/Woodlore-Adjustable-Mens-Shoe-Tree/dp/B002VWKREO. Put it in your shoe when you re not wearing out and it prevents creases. You can always put wadded up newspaper if you want to go cheap.

Well damn, I was just in a big city where I could've grabbed a pair. Oh well.

I think I'll grab these, only $20 and I'll get it in time for my boots. Next time there's a sale around $10 I'll grab two or three pairs for future purchases.

I use the Peloton shoes and widen them with shoe stretchers I bought on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAKQEBL/

I had a pair of Lake shoes which are supposed to be wide but they weren’t wide enough for my practically square feet.

• Woodlore for Nordstrom Rack - $16
  
• Woodlore on Amazon - $20
  
  I buy the ones from Nordstrom Rack. They're literally the same tree, minus the brass Woodlore name plate. Some of the NR trees have more "white" cedar than red (red is what you want), but you can pick and choose in store.

are these the shoe trees you use?

http://www.amazon.com/Mens-Keep-Shape-Shoe-pairs/dp/B0046PCKOE/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1422146341&sr=8-19&keywords=shoe+trees

Woodlore shoe trees (currently $19.95 at time of posting, price can fluctuate)

You need boot trees.

This

Ball and ring shoe stretcher. Amazon listing for a similar device.

Songmics

Ollieroo

A bunion tool for stretching a spot on the shoe.


https://www.amazon.com/FootFitter-Bunion-Stretcher-Stretching-Device/dp/B000POHTOG

Use a shoe stretcher. I have wide feet and I even use stretchers on my street shoes.

Eachway Shoe Stretcher Shoe Trees,Adjustable Length & Width (Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAKQEBL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LTwjDb7KSVVAE

If they are leather shoes, use proper shoe trees instead. The will soak up the sweat and the smell, and will maintain the shape of your shoes for much longer.

As the inner sole itself adapts to your foot you'll get a bit more volume (including laterally), and your toes should slightly make a divot in the lining as well. But if it keeps bothering you, you can always go to a cobbler and get it stretched in width some or do it yourself. Getting some room is really trivial.