Keep Your Shoes from Creasing | Best Crease Protectors
Most sneakerheads will tell you that keeping your shoes in the best condition requires a lot of effort. With the shape and bend of your feet, your shoes experience some wear and tear as they accommodate the walking motion throughout the day. One of the first noticeable signs is the fateful crease or bend that appears across the toe box of your shoes. Although there’s little you can do to prevent your foot from bending there is a simple solution to make the creasing a less prominent. That solution is crease guards or crease protectors. They are effective and extremely affordable!
What Are Crease Protectors?
Crease protectors are foam or plastic inserts that go into the toe area of your shoe to stabilize and add structure to the front of your shoe. They provide a semi-rigid flat surface to the upper materials encouraging the shoe upper to keep flat and in shape. This support is meant to reduce the effects of the walking motion on the toe area of your shoe and prevent creasing.
They are typically curved in the shape of a toe box and easily insert into the front of sneakers. You can buy crease protectors at places like Dicks, Amazon, Walmart, local Sneaker stores, foot locker, and other places like that.
What kind of shoes can you use crease protectors for?
Crease Protectors are made to fit in a variety of shoes. You can use crease guards for Air Force 1 sneakers, running shoes, dress shoes, and more. In fact, you’ll find that using crease guards for AF 1, Jordan 1, and other footwear will help you extend their lifespan and keep them in like-new condition.
What Are Crease Protectors Made Out Of?
The best crease guards are made of plastic or foam. Most crease guard designs are also made with ventilation holes for breathability. Some of the better crease protectors will additionally feature adhesive backing to help hold them in place at the front of your shoe.
Our Recommendations:
2 Pair - Madala Crease Protector for Air Force Shoes
These crease protectors double as Shoe Trees! They are compact and act as the perfect crease guard for your shoes when storing or traveling. They are made with long-lasting durable, washable, and breathable materials that will last you a long time extending the life and appearance of your favorite sneakers.
Gooudo 4 Pairs Shoes Crease Protectors Anti-Wrinkle
These crease protectors are engineered with auxiliary cutting lines. The anti-wrinkle shoe crease toe box protector can be trimmed for a perfect fit. Simply insert them in and keep in while wearing your shoes. They are easy to insert in and out and are made with long lasting durable, odorless, washable, and breathable materials that will last years, preserving the life and appearance of your sneakers.
+Protect | Shoe Crease Protector Guards for Sneakers: Air Force 1, Jordans & More
These crease protectors are lightweight and durable high-grade. They provide comfortable, effective long-lasting use. They also are easy all-around one size fit for various types of shoes featuring adjustable sizing compatibility from Men’s 8-12.
How Long Do Crease Protectors Last?
Crease protectors that are made of high quality materials and provide long-lasting durability should work in most shoes for at least 3 months, however, in most cases they can last up to 2 years or longer.
Do Crease Protectors Hurt?
Since you do walk with them in your shoes, this is a common concern. Many people find that foam crease protectors tend to be more comfortable because they’re not as stiff as plastic guards. They are designed to easily slip into any shoe and be good to go. If you find them uncomfortable, you can simply notch out the area of discomfort and you’ll be good to go in no time. Many crease protectors are made to be customized if you need to!
How To Get Creases Out Of Sneakers
Other Methods To Prevent Creasing
Although crease protectors are a great method for preventing creasing, there are many other methods that people may like better. I have compiled a list of a few more ideas to prevent creasing!
Shoe Horns
In order to prevent creasing around the heel of your shoe, buy a shoe equipped with a good quality heel counter. A shoehorn helps you to put on the shoe easily and comfortably. This will not only allow you to slide the shoes in faster but will also add support to the back of the shoe, therefore keeping it free from creasing.
We recommend the Cobbler’s Choice 8′ Metal Shoe Horn
Buying The Right Size
Creases usually start at the toe-box and eventually go all the way to the end of the shoe. The more space there is between the shoe and your foot, the more the leather is likely to bend. This is one of the reasons why shoes crease. We recommend that you go for a pair that fits your feet closely without leaving too much unnecessary space. Some space in the toe box is good though.
To check your shoe is the right size simply push your foot into the front of the shoe and check the gap at the heel. If the shoe is the right size in length then your index finger should just fit in the space without forcing it in or having too much space around it.
Shoe Trees
You might want to have a shoe-tree inserted in your shoes when you’re not wearing them. It’s probably the best thing you can do to prevent your shoes from creasing when you’re not wearing them. It not only helps the footwear to remain crease-free but it will also wick excess moisture in the shoe after a long day of use. This will help increase the life span of your shoes and improve their condition.
Moreover, shoe-trees are fairly inexpensive and are readily available in the local shoe stores. You also don’t have to go abroad searching for the most premium shoe-tree, as the cheapest one serves the same purpose as any high-valued option.
For an affordable and effective option, we recommend the Angelus Shoe Trees.
If you are looking for higher quality and more durable shoe trees, we recommend Allen Edmonds Men’s Combination Cedar Shoe Tree.
Dry Conditions
Another effective way to keep your shoes from creases is by wearing them in dry conditions, at least during the break out period. It is mostly ideal for shoes made from pure leather. This is because if water gets soaked into the shoes during the break-in period, the creases will appear, particularly in the toe box.
