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always using the shoe tree?

Cashmoney

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Originally Posted by DerekS
definitely. i have a pair of AEs that my dad passed to me...about 15 years old. I still keep trees in them. wouldnt make sense not to.

I've got shoes and boots I bought from the old New and Lingwood back in the early 1980s that are still good as new -- probably because I always store them with trees.

In fact, I own more trees than I have shoes/boots that need them.
 

TRA8324

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just got 2 pairs at men's warehouse. 14.99 each and they have a buy one get one free deal going on right now.
 

MyOtherLife

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Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH
Whenever your foot is not in the shoe, the shoe tree should be. Remember to rotate your shoes as well. Never wear the same ones two days in a row, they will wear out exponentially faster.

+1 This.
 

aj_del

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Thinking of not using shoe tree in my loafers since they might be stretching. Def felt a little loose the last time I wore them ...

Any thoughts
 

upnorth

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You may not need that if you have SC or other hollowed out shoe trees.
 

allaboutshoes

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Originally Posted by apropos
Guys, you let your shoes (air) dry for a bit before putting in trees, not straight after they're worn.

Definitely not true. Shoe trees are mostly made out of cedar wood, which is special for absorbing moisture and odor. Trees should be put in right after wearing them this way wrinkles and fungus dont set in to the shoes insole
 

apropos

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Originally Posted by allaboutshoes
Definitely not true. Shoe trees are mostly made out of cedar wood, which is special for absorbing moisture and odor. Trees should be put in right after wearing them this way wrinkles and fungus dont set in to the shoes insole
Yeah, day in, day out, your cedar trees are going to absorb every bit of the roughly one cup per day of salt water your feet excrete. Yes, they will keep the insides of your shoes bone dry, so mould cannot take hold. Makes perfect sense.
facepalm.gif
 

calvinloke

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I actually don't see how trees can eliminate wrinkles. You are going to flex the shoe at several points once on your feet. Formation of wrinkles would be inevitable. What makes people think putting in a shoe tree can dewrinkle them?
 

GBer

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Originally Posted by calvinloke
I actually don't see how trees can eliminate wrinkles. You are going to flex the shoe at several points once on your feet. Formation of wrinkles would be inevitable. What makes people think putting in a shoe tree can dewrinkle them?

It minimizes "wrinkles", not eliminate. A tree will fill and slightly stretch it. Imagine a soft bag at a store display. It's stretched and structured with cardboard and stuffing inside. Once that filling is removed, it "deflates" and collapses. The tree functions similarly.
 

isshinryu101

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I've gotta say, I'm surprised we're on page 3 of this thread. Shoe trees are a necessity, I think. If you want your shoes to stay nice, this is step 1 towards that goal (after which comes polishing, etc).

I've even had some shoes that I bought that apparently had NOT been kept with shoe trees. After 3-6 months of trees & regular polishing/ conditioning, the leather improved greatly. I'm sure the leather quality is a big factor in this, but it should be noted that it does work.

HOWEVER, ALOT of the SF'ers I've come across are full of it when it comes to the "I use shoe trees" claim. I've gotten quite a few pairs in the B&S section that were good quality shoes, but it was CLEAR trees had not been used.

I'm thinking using shoe trees is like washing your hands after you pee... EVERYONE claims to do it, but few actually practice what they preach.
 

Shikar

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Originally Posted by Dewey
Shoe trees do not absorb moisture. That is a myth.

If the shoes get soaked, stuff them with paper towels (but not to bursting -- do not stress the wet leather). Do not use shoe trees until they dry out (at room temperature).


Listen when this man talks.

Regards.
 

Northampton Novice

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+1.

Whilst shoe trees are great for storing shoes, if generic rather than lasted trees are used make sure the trees are the appropriate size, otherwise if they're on the bigger side with prolonged use you will risk damaging the foothills.

Only natural un-varnished wooden trees have any ability to absorb moisture and it's important to sand these down a little every six months to ensure they remain absorbent. You've got to appreciate there will be a limit to how much your shoe trees can keep absorbing moisture without themselves needing to be aired. Finally as aforementioned never put in a shoe tree into shoes which are soaking wet, instead stuff with newspaper and lie the shoes on their sides, away from any heat sources so that they air dry naturally.
 

lexmann

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I put in shoes trees after each wear, let them stay overnight, take them out next morning so that the shoes can be air dried. Wood can absorb moisture, not dry the shoes. Just my two cents.
 

plalonde

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In my view the main thing the trees do is to put the shoe back to shape as it dries. That way your sole doesn't dry with a curl to it with the toes pointing up. You might call this minimizing wrinkles as those will tend to straighten out with the sole.

The tree shouldn't block drying, but it's not the critical drying agent.
 

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