This is one of the most in-depth videos on showing how Shoe Trees work in different kinds of shoes. You cover the 3 major styles of Shoe Trees, and use all the right terminology such as "vamp" and "last". Very well done! -Rich at HoundsBay
Could you please record a video on your shoe care routine (cleaning, conditioning, polishing etc.). The way your shoes look even after several wears, that will be very helpful for us to know.
I’ve used really good, wooden, expandable, expensive shoe trees and find that they are not the same shape as my feet. When I put the shoe back on after the tree being in it for a long period, it takes a while for the shoe to re-shape to my foot.
You have an amazing collection of shell cordovan shoes. Your shoes are clearly worn and clearly well taken care of. Love to see how they look after much wear. I have a fraction of the cordovan shoes as you, but love each one of them.
This is so helpful! I currently only have the alden 405s in kudu and I think I've been doing it right by using the split toe shoe tree. It's so good to now finally know how and what the shoe tree does. Thank you so much for this video!!
One can signifantly reduce the need for this type of finagling of the trees and shoes by using cardboard (yes cardboard) to fill in the parts of a given tree that don't expand your shoe back to a lasted position. It's really cheap and you can even tape the cardboard to the tree for a given shoe to ensure the optimal restretch for that tree with a given shoe. This is extra cool because you can put the cardboard where ever the particular tree is deficient for a given shoe...essentially making any shoe tree a *custom* shoe tree for a given shoe ...even if your tree is not a split to kind (takes more work). Of course ...if you are not a tinkerer with this stuff you probably don't care ... but being an Engineer I can't help myself finding low cost but effective solutions for problems like this rather than throwing money needlessly at it. ;)
Tbat’s a great idea. That is much easier than carving Cedar sections and attaching to the Shoetree with panel pins and wood glue, as I was thinking. Cardboard sections attached with adhesive tape or glue. A much easier solution. Thank you. 👍
you have a great shoe collections thats why you did a great content. now i know what shoetree to buy for my shoes. i wish i can afford collections like that in the future.
Very informative video. Thanks for taking time to produce it. Quick question. Do you make a conscious decision as to which type of shoe tree you will use in your various shoes? Or do you just use whatever shoe tree you might have handy? May I also ask how you became so well versed on the benefits and nuances of the various style shoe trees? I don’t think I’ve run across anything published by Woodlore with as much detailed info as you provide in this video. Job well done!
Thank you - yes, I consider the shape of the shoe when determining the shoe trees. I have educated myself with trial and error mostly. Thanks for the kind post.
Allen Edmonds claims that the solid-toe shoe tree was designed specifically to fit their own shoes, while the split toe tree is more of a universal kind that will fit most all shoes, especially those of other brands. If your shoes aren't AE, then you might want to get the split-toe kind.
Hi, love your videos! I have just started my own shell cordovan collection (Alden for Epaulet - Altwien on the Barrie last and Allen Edmonds Dalton on the 511 last). Do you ever use a cordovan deep polishing bone on your shell? If so, would love to see a video with your thoughts/processes! Thanks again for all the lovely content.
For me, there are one of two things in the shoes at all times. Either a foot or a tree. If the shoe is moist, I count on the tree to hold the shoe's shape and absorb moisture while it dries.. If I thought the shoe was really damp, I would sit it on newspaper and maybe swap out the tree. I use twin bar, split toe, high vamp and full heel. Some brand of trees fit different and go in different shoes. I have spare trees. Sometimes I run a full fitting tree until the shoes have dried and then run a narrower tree for storage to maintain the sleek profile. This is usually for loafers.
Hi would you recommend going for shoe trees that are made by the same manufacturer as the shoe? I have just purchased some hand grade C&Js but not sure if I need to invest in some hand grade trees from C&J or just some cheaper ones off eBay?
If the c&j shoe trees are lasted (I.e. They are shaped identically to the last that was used to make the shoes) then they are better for the shoe long term. The shoes will crease less and maintain their original shape better. So, if that is the case then yes, I would recommend you go that route.
Hi Daddyosreviews thank you for these entertaining and educational videos. Do you have any experience with other European manufacturers like Carmina or Meermin Shell Cordovan shoes? Carmina also using Horween and Meermin using Japanese Shinki Shell Cordovan.
I ordered 3 pairs of Medium sized STRATTON cedar shoe trees... I havent received the order yet but I took the risk based on multiple good comments in Amazon. I own 1 pair of 9.0 size Fratelli Rossetti all leather tassel loafers - 1 pair of J&M black dress cap toe oxfords all leather 9.5 and 1 pair of Calzoleria Toscana full leather wing tip oxfords 9.5. Please advice and guide me if those shoe trees will work for them and if the medium.size will fit for 9 - 9.5 size. All shoes ate lather soles as well. I'll appreciate your answer.
+Gian Famiglietti I am sorry, but I am not familiar with that particular kind of shoe trees. Please post back when you receive them about how well they work for you. Good luck!
+daddyosreviews thanks for taking the time to answer ..Im not sure if they fit just perfectly or if they got short.. the trees are M size and all my shoes are 9.5 they dont put pressure on the heals but they dont move either. the wrinkles are not fully stretched when putting the trees the 1st time into the shoes today... please let me know if you think the size should be the right one in that case or if I should have bought a L size of shoe trees to get more pressure. thanks. below is the link for the stratton shoe trees. www.amazon.com/Stratton-Mens-Cedar-Shoe-Medium/dp/B01E07AMSS/ref=sr_1_15?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1471288156&sr=1-15&nodeID=9616100011&keywords=shoe+trees
Quick question, I just came across your channel, and I am realizing that none of your shoes have taps/tips on their heels... My father is a shoe cobbler, and he insists that I put taps on all my AE’s and Church’s... Can you clarify why you haven’t done so? TIA!
I typically don’t simply because I do not drag my heels or toes much. Plus, I don’t walk long distances most days. If I did that I would install those or full topys.
+onlyDTA Fredo Sadtana shoe trees are really meant for dress shoes with leather soles. With those, the shoe tree helps maintain the shape of the upper, and stops the shoe from curling near the toes. When a shoe has a rubber sole the sole tends to flatten back out on it's own. Plus, with sneakers, the leather upper is typically very thin, and so you need to watch out for the shoe tree causing too much pressure on the leather upper material.
Thanks for viewing - I use the same shoe trees I use for the shoes on the same last. There are companies that make boot trees, but I have never seen a need for them.
daddyosreviews Thank you for the quick reply. I just want to let you know that after over a year of following / watching your channel I finally pulled the trigger and bought my first pair (actually two pairs) of Alden’s, the perforated cap-toe in color 8 shell and a wingtip in brown calf. They’re factory seconds, but I couldn’t be happier. I feel like I’m getting my first pair of grown-up shoes. Thank you.
