What is the point of a shoe horn, and why do you need one in your life?

By / August 24th, 2023 / There are currently 0 comments

We’ve all been there, trying to get our shoes on without undoing the laces, scuffing the back of our new shoes with the opposite shoe or getting our better halves to pull off a stubborn shoe while we sit on the bottom step. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Shoe horns are an integral part of your shoe care regime. If you invest in a good-quality pair of shoes, you will want them to last as long as possible. Using a shoe horn will help protect your shoe from damage while putting on your shoe, in turn prolonging the life of your shoe.

If you have stiff or tight shoes because they’re new, shoe horns can also help you get them on without hassle. Here is everything you need to know about shoe horns and why you need one.

Table of contents

What is the point of a shoe horn?

If you love your shoes, there is a reason to have a shoe horn. Shoe horns protect the heel of your shoe and counter at the back of your shoe while putting your shoes on. Rather than forcing your foot in and crushing the place where your heel goes, gracefully slip your shoe on with a helpful shoe horn.

Cheaney Shoe Horn With Leather Thong - 4 Inches

How to use a shoe horn

Here’s how to use a shoe horn correctly to put on your shoes while protecting them from damage.

  1. If you’re using a small or medium shoe horn, begin seated. Or if you have a long shoe horn, you can put your shoes on standing up.
  2. Loosen your shoelaces. Putting your shoes on with the laces tied can potentially damage them.
  3. Take the shoe horn by the thicker end and insert the curved spoon-like end vertically inside the empty shoe. The concave side should face the inside of the shoe so it’s flush with the back of the shoe.
  4. Slide your foot into the shoe and slide your heel along the curved edge. Slowly move the shoe horn upwards as your foot gets further into the shoe. Your foot and the shoe horn should be moving in opposite directions so that it is out by the time your foot is in the shoe.

Are shoe horns necessary?

Shoe horns are not necessary. However, if you care about your shoes and want them to last for a substantial time, a shoe horn will help you put them on without damaging them. 

Certain types of shoes, like leather dress shoes, come with a reinforced heel called the counter. The counter is often made with plastic or hardened leather to give the shoe structure. If you step on this, you can damage it, which can be expensive or impossible to fix and replace. A shoe horn will help you preserve your shoe’s shape and heel structure. 

If your shoes are slightly on the snug side or the new leather is still stiff even after untying the laces, and you find them challenging to get on, a shoe horn can help.

Why is it called a shoe horn?

Shoe horns got their name because they originally were from animal horns or bone. People chose these materials for their strength and unique beauty. All our shoe horns at Cheaney come from non-endangered species in the UK, so you know that our products do not threaten any species threatened with extinction. 

Do shoe horns stretch shoes?

If you use your shoe horn correctly, they won’t stretch your shoes. Never press horizontally down on the heel counter to wrench your foot out of the shoe, which will likely produce creases and damage the heel. Only use them in a vertical position. 

Cheaney Shoe Horn With Leather Thong - 15-16 Inches

How does a shoe horn work with boots?

You might notice that shoe horns come in different sizes. At Cheaney, we provide them in various sizes, from small and medium shoe horns to those with long handles ranging from 4 to 16 inches long. As well as allowing you to put your shoes on while standing up, the longer shoe horns are for helping you put on boots. 

Use your shoe horn for your boots in the same way as your shoes. Whether you have chukka boots, Chelsea boots or boots with zips, a long shoe horn can help.

  1. If your boots have laces or zips, undo them.
  2. Follow the steps above to help you get your shoes on with a long-handled shoe horn.

Cheaney shoe horns: where can I buy a shoe horn?

Hopefully, you now see the pros of having a good-quality shoe horn. From getting your shoes on effortlessly to protecting them in the long run, the humble shoe horn is an essential accessory to any footwear collection. 

If you’re looking to purchase a shoe horn but don’t know where to find a good quality product, browse our shoe horn collection online to find horn horns made of high-quality, non-endangered horns that will last for decades. Or, visit any of our stores and browse our shoe accessory collections. 

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