You're currently on:

• Home
• ::
• Resources
• ::
• Definitions - Shoetree

Shoetree

A shoetree is a wooden, plastic or metal block that when placed inside of a shoe maintains its shape after daily wear. The wooden shoetrees are often more expensive because they are made of cedar and are the only ones that absorb moisture. Plastic or metal shoetrees are less expensive and only preserve the shape of the shoe.

The shape of the shoetree itself is usually a block that encompasses the area from the insole to the upper emulating the shape of the shoe itself. A shoetree is important because it:

• Absorbs moisture (if the shoetree is wooden)
• Eliminates odor (if the shoetree is wooden)
• Maintains the shape of the shoe when not in use

Even though wearing socks will help to absorb some moisture, feet will inevitably sweat and the wooden shoetree will help to absorb excess moisture. Once you take off your shoes, you should put the shoetree inside of them until you wear them again. Some people put shoetrees inside of more casual shoes such as sneakers, but they are typically used for dressier styles such as flats and men's dress shoes. The leather material on shoes will eventually soften and could, as a result, lose some of its shape, especially on shoes like loafers and other flats. The shoetree prevents the shoes from losing their shape while absorbing moisture. Excess sweat can also contribute to the shape of a shoe being compromised, so a shoetree is important to use especially for your dressier styled shoes.