Shoehorn
A shoehorn (also called a shoehorn ) is a slide rail that supports the gentle and comfortable putting on of low shoes (and to a certain extent also boots ).
use
First the forefoot is inserted into the shoe, then the shoehorn is placed in the shoe between the ball of the heel of the foot and the upper edge of the heel of the shoe. The heel can now slide completely into the shoe over the shoehorn and guided through it. Then the shoehorn is pulled out again.
Sense and purpose
First and foremost, the shoe is protected. The back cap of the upper, which gives the rear foot support and guides it, is protected from excessive stretching or even twisting by the shoehorn. This way it keeps its shape. The same applies to the stockings , which are spared excessive friction and stretching when putting on shoes.
In general, getting in with a shoe horn is quicker and easier. This applies all the more, the more precisely and of high quality the shoes are made. Very soft shoes that only loosely surround the foot and ankle make the use of the shoehorn unnecessary.
Material and shapes
All sufficiently stable, not too easily deformable or even breaking materials with a smooth surface are suitable for the production of shoehorns. Originally the donning aids were made of horn , which gave them the English name shoehorn. Today wood, metal, bone and plastic are used as materials in addition to horn.
The shapes are relatively similar: A mostly slightly curved slide rail that is hollow or spoon-shaped on the side facing the heel. Hence the synonymous term shoehorn. The basic shape of the lengthways cut cattle horn already brought this basic shape with it by nature.
The length of the shoehorn varies. Short pullers with a length of about 15 centimeters, medium-length pullers with double length and long slide rails of 60 or more centimeters are common. Often, instead of the long shoehorn, short ones are attached to a longer handle; Often with a flexible spring suspension as a transition for easier handling. Longer shoehorns should eliminate the need to bend the torso when using the short version and also make it easier to slip into some shorter boot models.
There are collapsible shoehorns for travel: the slide rail is only a few centimeters long and the handle is folded out before use.
Alternatives
Shoes with a narrow slip-in area ( loafers or Oxfords) require a shoe horn to get started if they fit well. If you don't have a shoehorn at hand, a soup spoon, a spoon handle, the end of a belt, a credit card or a handkerchief folded several times can serve as a temporary shoehorn substitute.
Shoes with a closure that can be opened wider ( derby models ) can be opened wide without a shoehorn.
