SA claims cedar trees will damage shoes!?

[MrG]

I'm in need of a new pair of shoe trees, so I stopped in a local store to pick up a pair. While I was there, the SA tried to convince me that cedar shoe trees are inferior to plastic because cedar absorbs too much moisture and can damage the leather. When I asked him where he'd heard this he stated he'd "read it in a magazine."

Given my understanding of shoe trees is that moisture absorption is exactly the point of cedar, this sounds patently ridiculous to me. That said, I'm curious as to whether anyone here has ever heard anything similar.

Note: At first I thought he was just trying to sell me plastic trees, but the store only sells cedar trees (which I didn't buy because they were overpriced), so that's definitely not the case.

 

[Steven Aver]

Contrary to popular belief cedar trees do not absorb moisture. What store was this at btw

 

[MrG]

Originally Posted by Steven Aver

Contrary to popular belief cedar trees do not absorb moisture. What store was this at btw

Really? Interesting. I suppose that makes the SA look even more ill informed!

It was JAB. I've never bought anything there, so I never completely understood the contempt that is directed at it by SF. Now I get it...

 

[musicguy]

Originally Posted by Steven Aver

Contrary to popular belief cedar trees do not absorb moisture. What store was this at btw

Really? Is it just an old wives' tale?

 

[onix]

Originally Posted by Steven Aver

Contrary to popular belief cedar trees do not absorb moisture. What store was this at btw

They do absorb. Just not as much as many people think.

 

[Busa Dave]

Originally Posted by Steven Aver

Contrary to popular belief cedar trees do not absorb moisture. What store was this at btw


Sorry to tell you this but it does. If the cedar is properly dried then it will been -- working, cutting and burning it all of my life. If it has not been properly dried then it will take some time to work properly. The best cedar trees are the ones that are 10 years old or older.

 

[Nick V.]

Cedar absorbs humidity. Humidity is moisture. That's one of the purposes of a cedar closet. Further, by recommending a plastic shoe tree the SP proved that he knew nothing! Plastic will repel the perspiration back into the liner of the shoe which will eventually break down the leather. The only time I recommend plastic trees is when you are traveling. They will keep the shoe from being crushed in packing and they are light. However, I wouldn't recommend using the plastic trees after a day of wear while on your trip.

The SP was giving wrong advice and, had the proper goods to sell you but balked. If you felt the price was to high for the cedar trees that's fine but at least he should know his business.

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by onix

They do absorb. Just not as much as many people think.

How do ones with finishing absorb?

 

[Don Carlos]

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

How do ones with finishing absorb?

Negligible to none, I would imagine.

 

[Shikar]

OK, lemme see...for ***** and giggles.....
Unfinished/raw ceder will absorb some moisture.
Varnished/finished ceder will not absorb moisture much ofcourse.
Plastic/Metal will not absorb moisture at all.

None of the above is important as the primary purpose of the shoe tree is to maintain the shape of the shoe (Vamp/sole etc) once off the foot, not to absorb moisture.

Regards.

 

[HORNS]

I think the SA at JAB is full of it.

Cedar trees have these virtues (correct me if I'm wrong):

They absolutely absorb moisture, thus drying the inside of the shoe. I would also speculate that a well-fitting tree with a raw surface creates a wicking action (Shamwow!) from the humidified leather of the inside of the shoe.

The trees are important in allowing the shoe to dry with as little deformation as possible. So if you want your shoes to air dry, then you're potentially risking the shoes to become stiffen with wrinkles from the day's wear.

Cedar oil is a natural antimicrobial. I looked up information on Ovid/Medline, which is a medical journal database. There are no good studies about cedar shoe trees and fungal infection, but the premise is still strong.

 

[acidboy]

So the salesguy wants you to not buy their cedar shoe trees and get the plastics instead? And I wonder what magazine did he pick that idea from? TV Guide??

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

and they allow your shoes to smell good.

 

[taxgenius]

Did they sell cedar trees at that location?

 

[texas_jack]

It doesn't really matter if they absorb water. If you let your shoes air out between wearings the water will evaporate. The trees just keep the shape.