What the Hell is a Shoe Tree?

Shoe trees are devices to be wedged into shoes to keep the leather supple and in shape. In the plastic age of the last century shoe trees were made from synthetic materials instead of the traditional cedar wood, pretty much negating the moisture absorbing properties of a proper tree, which is probably why everybody stopped using them.

The other reason might be that cedar shoe trees are pricey, especially considering you need a pair for every pair of shoes you own. Shoebuy.com has a set of cedar shoe trees for $25.45 with free shipping, but if you use coupon code AZOOGLEADS10 they’re only $15.45. (It’s a $10 off coupon, so it only works for one set.) If you own a pair of leather shoes that cost you’d like to keep forever, you’ve got a purchase to make. If your shoes aren’t in perfect shape in twenty years, I’ll refund everyone’s money.

Men’s Johnston & Murphy Woodard Shoe Tree [Shoebuy via DealNews]