A Shoe In
They are the single most important purchase you will make after you’ve plopped down $500+ on your brogues (and no, I’m not talking about your matching crocodile belt). I’m talking shoe trees. The cedar wood absorbs moisture your feet leave behind after 8 hours of pounding the pavement, re-establishes your shoes’ original shape—ironing out creases in its leather, and keeps the insoles smelling like 4th period wood-shop. Your shoes will look as good as you do every step of the way for several decades instead of several years.
As brilliant as shoe trees are, not all are created equal. In fact, I have spent years and several hundred dollars searching for a substantial tree—polished brass knob, an expandable full crown, fully contoured heel—that wasn’t going to cost me an arm and a foot (after all, you just laid down a handful of Benjamins on shoes). During a recent visit to Sid Mashburn, I noticed him stuffing his private label shoes with Woodlore’s Epic Twin-Tube Shoe Trees. Woodlore offers them in small, medium, large and XL. A simple phone call will ensure that you are properly outfitted according to your shoe size. Could this be the best cedar shoe tree for your money? Well, if the shoe fits (Woodlore, $30).
*Pick these up at Cedarville Store for $19.99 (coupon code: cvsclub55) until offer lasts
Additional Cedarville Store discounts:
cvsclub44 - will take $4.00 off Washburn Cedar Shoe trees ($27.99/pr)
cvsclub22 - will take $2.00 off Classic Cedar Suit Hanger
freeship - Free Shipping on orders over $75.00 - USA only
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 12:44 PM:
My pleasure! And just fyi, thats for cedarvillestore.com.
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 12:35 PM:
KGS—Brilliant Sherlock…updating the post to reflect your findings. Nice work!
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 12:24 PM:
Thanks for the recommendation, I bought a pair out of convenience at target (never a wise decision) and they just don’t fit in the shoes right. I am going to check these ones out thanks to the coupon code provided above. these unbashedlyprep commenters really know their stuff).
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 12:03 PM:
Thanks F.E., much appreciated. Saves me from emailing Cedarville/Woodlore. Also, I found a $5 off code on Ask Andy (cvsclub55) if anyone wants to order. Brings them down to $19.99/pair. Cheers!
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 11:56 AM:
KGS—You need an XL shoe tree. Woodlore’s Epic Twin-Tube shoe tree, I believe, will fill your size 13 wide shoe…the expandable crown addresses that.
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 11:34 AM:
I’ve tried finding the perfect tree myself. I’m more or less focused on making sure the tree expands the leather enough to take out creases and “push” the tooebox leather upward to do so. Having size 13 and wide feet, it hasnt been and easy search. I’d love to give these a shot. As others have said, if Sid uses them, so can I. Anyone find they push the leather enough to remove creases?
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 10:55 AM:
I bought six of the Epics for $20 each from Cedarville Store (.com) a few years ago. I think they’re $25 each now. Still worth every penny.
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 10:47 AM:
If they’re good enough for Sid Mashburn, they’re good enough or me.
left a comment on 2/5/2010 at 10:42 AM:
one of my best friends talks about shoe trees with the utmost respect. well played sir.
Bow Tie Guy left a comment on 2/8/2010 at 10:25 AM:
Shoe trees are essential for the longevity of fine footwear. Thank you for the recommendation.
BTG
bow-tie-guy.blogspot.com