John Lobb Shoe Trees

[stifler]

Gentlemen,

I recently bought my first pair of John Lobb shoes and noticed they didn't come with shoe trees. I was expecting shoe trees for such an expensive pair of shoes. Is that not the case?

Also, are there places where I can buy new JL shoe trees that don't cost $175? I'm hoping there's someone who makes generic shoe trees consistent with JL lasts that don't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

They would have to have access to JL lasts in order to make a lasted shoe tree.

I’ve used these in the past and like them. Great fit and easy in and out:

Lasted Cedar Wood Shoe Trees

Our genuine cedar wood shoe trees are one of the most important and easy to use shoe care accessories you can buy to maintain your shoes for life. It will help the leather recover from regular wear, keep the shape of the shoe, and remove moisture. All you have to do is slip them on after every...

www.acemarks.com

 

[dieworkwear]

As far as I know, John Lobb's shoe trees are sold separately. Outside of bespoke shoemakers, I believe this is normal practice for high-end companies.

I can't remember of JL's shoe trees are lasted. Non-lasted shoe trees risk stretching the shoes out unnaturally in certain places over time. I have a few pairs of JL shoes with Woodlore shoe trees, and I've noticed that there's some stretching across the shoes near the topline.

There used to be a company that offered lasted shoe trees for nearly every maker, but they've since shut the service down.

FWIW, I use lasted shoe trees where I can, and then just cheapo Woodlore shoe trees for everything else. On some level, these are just shoes and they're meant to be worn. Normal wear-and-tear from wearing these on a regular basis will cause more damage than non-lasted shoe trees. I would just get a pair of trees in the correct size (most are sized to fit within a range of shoe sizes).

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Personally, given the cost of JL, I don’t see any issue with paying the extra money for the lasted shoe trees.

 

[Chowkin]

Lasted shoe trees are included in JL’s Prestige Line.

As PF said, given the cost of your JL shoes, it makes sense to buy JL branded trees. Have a look at this side by side comparison of JL vs Ace Mark trees and you’ll know why:

BTW, Skoaktiebolaget sells JL trees for just €108 ex VAT

 

[stifler]

Lasted shoe trees are included in JL’s Prestige Line.

As PF said, given the cost of your JL shoes, it makes sense to buy JL branded trees. Have a look at this side by side comparison of JL vs Ace Mark trees and you’ll know why:


View attachment 1414303
BTW, Skoaktiebolaget sells JL trees for just €108 ex VAT

I'm a novice. What's the difference between the JL and AM shoe trees?

 

[BomTrady]

I'm a novice. What's the difference between the JL and AM shoe trees?

Lasted trees are made from the same designed used to make the last that made the particular shoe. JL lasted shoe trees are made for JL shoes and AM's for AM shoes. As mentioned a few times in this thread, if you use shoe trees not made for a shoe, you might bend the shoe out of shape, or at the least, you won't maintain the original shoe shape, which is the purpose of using trees in the first place. I say the lasted tree for the shoe is best, but any tree is better than no tree in the absence of the lasted one.

 

[stifler]

Lasted trees are made from the same designed used to make the last that made the particular shoe. JL lasted shoe trees are made for JL shoes and AM's for AM shoes. As mentioned a few times in this thread, if you use shoe trees not made for a shoe, you might bend the shoe out of shape, or at the least, you won't maintain the original shoe shape, which is the purpose of using trees in the first place. I say the lasted tree for the shoe is best, but any tree is better than no tree in the absence of the lasted one.

Yes, I know that. I read that AM makes custom shoes trees specific to the manufacturer's last for a lot less money. Would that be fine?

 

[BomTrady]

Yes, I know that. I read that AM makes custom shoes trees specific to the manufacturer's last for a lot less money. Would that be fine?

I just stuck my UK 8.5 Mayfair 2 last into my UK 8 JL 8000 shoes and JL has less toe spring and, surprisingly, a higher instep, shaping the shoe further up the tongue than the AM last. The Mayfair last is also pointer. So, I think it's fine, but not perfect. You may mishape your JLs just a little. I would normally say, who cares, but once I mistakenly put two left lasted StC trees in a pair of StC shoes and by the time I noticed it, one shoe was irreparably damaged. After months in the right last, the damaged shoe never regained its correct shape and I had to abandon the shoes. So, you wouldn't do anywhere near that kind of damage, but I am hesitant to say that you won't mishaps your shoe at all. But like I said, any tree is better than none. But I am no expert either.

 

[BomTrady]

Yes, I know that. I read that AM makes custom shoes trees specific to the manufacturer's last for a lot less money. Would that be fine?

The Edward Green 82 last is damned close to, almost a perfect replica of, the JL 8000 last. I am not sure how expensive EG lasts are, but it's almost a dead ringer.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

The Edward Green 82 last is damned close to, almost a perfect replica of, the JL 8000 last. I am not sure how expensive EG lasts are, but it's almost a dead ringer.

It’s about the same.

Just get the JL. It’s like buying a Mercedes and then taking it to jiffy lube because the oil change at the dealership is too expensive.

 

[Richard888]

As far as I know, John Lobb's shoe trees are sold separately. Outside of bespoke shoemakers, I believe this is normal practice for high-end companies.

I can't remember of JL's shoe trees are lasted. Non-lasted shoe trees risk stretching the shoes out unnaturally in certain places over time. I have a few pairs of JL shoes with Woodlore shoe trees, and I've noticed that there's some stretching across the shoes near the topline.

There used to be a company that offered lasted shoe trees for nearly every maker, but they've since shut the service down.

FWIW, I use lasted shoe trees where I can, and then just cheapo Woodlore shoe trees for everything else. On some level, these are just shoes and they're meant to be worn. Normal wear-and-tear from wearing these on a regular basis will cause more damage than non-lasted shoe trees. I would just get a pair of trees in the correct size (most are sized to fit within a range of shoe sizes).

Will you please advise the name of the company that offered lasted shoe trees for nearly every maker? Thanks

 

[noobanker]

I have a pair of John Lobb boots (chukka) with 8000 last, but can’t find any shoe trees that are made for boots.
Does JL not sell those?

 

[dauster]

I have a pair of John Lobb boots (chukka) with 8000 last, but can’t find any shoe trees that are made for boots.
Does JL not sell those?

have you considered calling the JL NYC boutique or the boutique that is close to you ? nothing like spending 1200-1600 for shoes but then arguing about spending an extra 150 for shoe tress.

 

[Chowkin]

I have a pair of John Lobb boots (chukka) with 8000 last, but can’t find any shoe trees that are made for boots.
Does JL not sell those?

Do you mean boot trees like these?

Don’t think JL offers them