Shoe trees: How important is it to have ones specific to your last?

[TimelesStyle]

Title pretty much sums it up; I'm trying to figure out whether it matters that I track down shoe trees for the specific last of the shoe for higher end shoes, or if my $35 AE ones will be fine. As a follow-up, if it is advised, how would I figure out which EG last a pair of RLPL shoes was made on, as I assume I'll have to order one from EG (RL didn't seem to have them)?

 

[12345Michael54321]

If a pair of trees specific to your shoes' last happens to be readily available, great. But as for it being important that the trees be specific to the last... no, it truly isn't. Not in reality, for all that I've occasionally come across theoretical arguments to the contrary or claims of having seen shoes harmed by having been paired with non-matched trees. (Most recently, in a blog entry, over on "A Suitable Wardrobe," a few weeks back.)

Naturally, using shoe trees is valuable, in both theory and in reality. It's the "matched set" thing which shouldn't be a significant concern. Well, not unless you try doing something truly stupid, like stuffing an extra large shoe tree into a decidedly non-extra large shoe.