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Shoehorn

A shoehorn is a wooden, ivory, metal or plastic tool that makes it easier to put a shoe onto one's foot. The shoehorn enables the heel of the foot to slide comfortably into a shoe without crushing the back of the shoe. The crushing will eventually cause a break or crease in the leather of the shoe so it is important to prevent this from occurring. The shoehorn itself is curved to mimic the shape of one's heel making it easier for the heel to slide smoothly into the shoe. Some shoes have a very narrow heel making it difficult to put the shoe on, so the shoehorn comes invaluable to maintaining the shape of the back of the shoe. A shoehorn is necessary in these cases to prevent the breaking or creasing of the heel. A shoehorn can be used for shoes such as:

• Boots
• Oxfords
• Loafers

The point of the shoehorn is to maintain the shape of the shoe and make it easier to get the shoes on and off. Shoehorns can be found with short or long handles depending on the needs of the user. A long handled shoehorn is good for those with decreased mobility because they don't have to bend as far to use the tool. Sturdy handled shoehorns such as those made of ivory or silver would be used to put on boots because they are less likely to bend or break under pressure.