Proper fit for shoe trees

[dah328]

Is there a proper fit for shoe trees?  I ask because I'm starting to experience some toe curl on a pair of Allen Edmonds that I suspect is due to the poor fit of the shoe trees I'm using.  I've recently purchased some C&Js and Grensons and would really prefer to avoid that with them.  I'd be willing to pair a fair amount for shoe trees that fit well if a good fit is better for the shoes (although $350 Lobb trees do not fall into the "fair amount" category).

dan

 

[kidkim2]

I hate to admit this, but they say that confession is good for the soul. . . .

None of my shoe trees is even half as effective, on any measure, as a crumpled up page from a three-month-old New York Times.

(They're right.  I feel better.)

 

[faustian bargain]

i have a two-day old wall street journal, will that work?

also, i've tried, but have had no luck putting shoe trees on my feet. so i would say there is no proper fit for shoe trees, unless you're supposed to wear them on some other location.

/andrew - the weisenheimer

 

[Urban Warrior]

I would assume you would want a snug fit all around for the tree to be effective. On another note I too have a pair of A&E's with some toe curl. When I contacted there refurbishing department about it they told me it was natural and unless it became very bad not to worry about it. Kind of weird but I have shoe trees in all my shoes and the A&E's are the only ones that curl.

 

[kidkim2]

If a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes started to curl on me, with or without shoetrees or NYT (even WSJ) I'd return 'em in a heartbeat.

 

[dah328]

I would assume you would want a snug fit all around for the tree to be effective. On another note I too have a pair of A&E's with some toe curl. When I contacted there refurbishing department about it they told me it was natural and unless it became very bad not to worry about it. Kind of weird but I have shoe trees in all my shoes and the A&E's are the only ones that curl.

Hmm, that's not encouraging.  I'm convinced that I get more creasing across the toe with "curling" shoes than with shoes that stay nice and straight with shoe trees, although, as Andrew points out, they're still a lot more comfortable than shoe trees.

Thanks for the reply.

dan

 

[Alias]

The best shoe trees I have are the $20 ones I got from Macy's during my trip to Hawaii. I managed to even get a pair for $15. I should have bought more while I had the chance.

Wonderful fit around the heel, something very important for me since thin-heeled shoe trees create an unsightly creasing there. The toe fit seems to be good, although I don't see what the problem is about toe curling: I believe it's only natural for the front part of the shoe to exhibit some curl as wear continues. After all, it is made of leather, a pliable material, and your feet don't stay flat all the time you're walking. Unless you're talking about some other, more horrible form of toe curl, I don't think it's a problem.

 

[dah328]

Wonderful fit around the heel, something very important for me since thin-heeled shoe trees create an unsightly creasing there. The toe fit seems to be good, although I don't see what the problem is about toe curling: I believe it's only natural for the front part of the shoe to exhibit some curl as wear continues. After all, it is made of leather, a pliable material, and your feet don't stay flat all the time you're walking. Unless you're talking about some other, more horrible form of toe curl, I don't think it's a problem.

Well, my moderately-informed take on the matter is that the uppers are stretched over the last and attached to the sole (or whatever) while it's new and flat.  If the sole subsequently curls, the uppers will not be pulled taut and will develop some especially unsightly creases.  That's been my experience, at least.

dan

 

[hopkins_student]

This is about the only thing I can think of that the New York Times is good for.

 

[Bic Pentameter]

For what it is worth, I had always used the spring loaded cedar shoe trees that came in general sizes like M(8-9.5), L(10-11.5), and such. (I am an 8.5EE or 9D)

I bought a pair of the Ralph Lauren Purple Label E Greens on bluefly this summer, and they came with hinged shoe trees. Those shoe trees are much harder to ease into the shoe, and appear to put much more overall pressure on the shoe once fully inserted than any of my spring loaded trees do.


Bic

 

[dah328]

This is about the only thing I can think of that the New York Times is good for.

 That's great.  I'll have to remember that one.

 

[A Harris]

I bought a pair of the Ralph Lauren Purple Label E Greens on bluefly this summer, and they came with hinged shoe trees. Those shoe trees are much harder to ease into the shoe, and appear to put much more overall pressure on the shoe once fully inserted than any of my spring loaded trees do.

The trick with those trees is to slip them in at a sideways angle - about 45 degrees. Turn them back to flat as they go in. They should slip in easily that way.

 

[marc37]

l get all my shoe trees for $8. l buy them from a factory that employs half-wits (no offence).

Hey Faustian bargain: l love your avator. Totally cool, it rules m8. (lt's as good as mine, possibly better).