Why Use Shoe Trees? How to Choose and Use Them

After a day’s walking, the toe of your shoe sags, there’s moisture in the material and the creases in the flex zone get a little deeper. Shoe trees counter that. So why use shoe trees? They may seem like a detail, but they make a big difference to how long your shoes keep looking good. In this blog you will read what shoe trees do, which material suits which shoe, which size to choose and when to put them in.

In short

• Shoe trees keep the toe under tension, so your shoe doesn’t sag and creases less deeply.
• Cedar also absorbs moisture and odour. Wood is sturdier than plastic. Plastic is light and affordable.
• Put them in as soon as you take your shoes off. The material is still warm and supple.
• Choose wooden and cedar trees in your own EU size. With a half size, take the whole size below.
• Shoe trees work while the shoe is resting. While walking, crease guards help.

Why use shoe trees?

For three reasons. First, they hold the shape. With every step the toe of your shoe bends. After wearing, that fold stays if there’s nothing in the shoe. A shoe tree pulls the toe taut again, so creases stay shallower and fewer new ones appear.

Second, they help the shoe dry. After a day’s walking there’s moisture in the material. Cedar shoe trees absorb that moisture. The shoe dries faster, leather stays in good condition and odour gets less chance.

Third, you store your shoes more neatly. Pairs you don’t wear for a while don’t collapse in the cupboard. On a shelf or in a display case they stay crisp too.

Which shoe trees should you choose?

Material	Strength	Sizes	Ideal for
Plastic	Light and affordable	Small up to size 40, Large above	Sneakers, your whole rack, travel
Wood	Sturdy, fills the shoe well	EU size 36 to 48	Leather shoes and sneakers you want to keep well
Cedar	Absorbs moisture and odour	EU size 38 to 48	Shoes you wear often, leather shoes

If you only want to hold the shape, plastic is the smartest choice. For more structure, choose wood. If you wear a pair often, or want to look after leather shoes properly, cedar is the best choice. Cedar has been used for shoe trees for generations, precisely because it absorbs moisture and counters odours.

What size shoe trees do you need?

With wooden and cedar shoe trees you simply choose your own EU size. If you wear a half size, take the whole size below. So for 41.5, choose 41. That way the tree holds the shape without stretching the shoe. A tree that’s too big pushes the material out of shape. One that’s too small does little.

Plastic shoe trees come in two sizes: Small for size 40 and below, Large for the sizes above. Cedar trees start at size 38. For smaller sizes, choose wooden shoe trees, which also come in sizes 36 and 37.

When do you put shoe trees in?

Straight after you take your shoes off. The shoe is still warm and the material supple, so the shape sets best. With cedar, that’s also the moment there’s the most moisture in the shoe to absorb. Loosen the laces a little, slide the tree all the way into the toe and leave it in until you wear the shoe again.

If you have fewer trees than shoes, put them in the pair you wore last. That pair needs them most. For several pairs, the 5-packs are better value per pair.

Do shoe trees remove creases?

Partly. Deep creases won’t disappear completely, but they’re less visible while the tree is in. The biggest benefit is that no new, deeper folds appear. To counter creases while walking too, use crease guards. You place those in the toe of the shoe while you wear it.

Read on: how to refresh old shoes in 6 steps.

Frequently asked questions

Do sneakers need shoe trees too?

Yes. Sneakers crease in the toe too, especially leather ones. Plastic shoe trees are a practical and affordable choice for them.

Do shoe trees fit in boots?

In most low and mid-height boots, yes. They’re not designed for the shaft of tall boots.

How do I keep the cedar scent fresh?

Over time the scent fades. Lightly sand the wood with fine sandpaper and the scent comes back.

Can I use shoe trees in wet shoes?

Let very wet shoes dry for a few hours with newspaper inside first. Then put the trees in, so the shoe dries in shape. Cedar then helps absorb the remaining moisture.

All types are in shoe trees. Read more about care in our blog on how to care for leather shoes.