7 Best Shoe Horns (Review) In 2022

The shoe horn has been with us for at least 500 years and yet after all this time it’s still possible to find new levels of convenience within the genre. Such is the case with the Shacke 24 Inch Long Handled Shoe Horn. The large, convenient handle makes the device extra easy for anyone to operate from a standing position and the wide, slick horn itself lets your foot slide effortlessly into even the most stubborn shoe.

While it appears at first glance to be a metal shoe horn the Shacke 24 inch is actually fashioned from what the company calls “Pro High Tech” plastic. In reality it’s a type of ABS plastic which is known for its toughness and durability. Because it’s made from plastic however, it’s light as a (4 ounce) feather which means even aging relatives with arthritis should find it easy to use. You may also like to check our guide to the best UV shoe sanitizers.

Can a shoe horn be snooty? Probably not. But the Houndsbay 16.5 inch metal shoe horn tries. From the Old World associations of the name to the upscale nautical design cues in the logo and handsome gift box this is a shoe horn after Gatsby’s heart. And that’s fine. Nothing wrong with imbuing your product with some pedigree.

Fortunately for us the Houndsbay 16.5 inch metal shoe horn lives up to its elevated billing by being an easy to use, dependable, handsome and affordable tool for helping you slip into your loafers or boots. It’s crafted from 1.8mm thick stainless steel which gives it a durability you won’t find in most plastic or lesser metal shoe horns. The design is agreeably minimalistic and the balance is spot on.

Some shoe horns are made to do their job and disappear back into the dresser drawer while others, like this 31 inch Long Handle Shoe Horn, are meant to be discretely displayed so that visitors can catch a glimpse of your exquisite taste. This is such an attractive wardrobe accessory that you’re going to feel a bit funny about using it to help put your shoes on. It looks more like a riding crop than a shoe horn and that visual overlap is probably intentional.

All that said here’s a case where style and function walk hand in hand. The 31 inch is legitimately long enough for most people to use without having to bend over. It also features a spring where the horn connects to the walnut handle and this enables the device to compensate for bad angles of attack and to absorb some of the force that could otherwise cause your shoe horn to give way. If you have issues breaking into new shoes make sure you check our guide to the best shoe stretchers.

If you’d like an attractive and effective long shoe horn but don’t want to spend this week’s caviar money to get it the FootMatters Long Handle Metal Extended shoe horn should be on your list. It features the same spring loaded business end concept as the 31 we just profiled and can be easily adjusted to reach 31 inches itself. But it’s only 1/4 the price.

The shaft is fashioned from high grade stainless steel and is reliably strong and durable. The handle is broad and comfortable and, unlike most other long shoe horns, you have the option of using it standing or compressing the handle and using it sitting down. The fact that the shoe horn is compressible also means you can easily pack it away in your luggage and take it with you wherever you go.

The BlueCosto 16 Inch Long Handled Shoe Horn is the epitome of minimalist style and functionality. There are no baroque fashion touches designed to prod your nostalgic tendencies and no superfluous features of dubious merit. Just a 16 inch long stainless steel device with a gentle taper and robust character that’s going to help you get into your shoes for years to come.

The hook-style handle is not unique. Most short shoe horns use the exact same shape. Why? Because it’s simple and effective. The thing that sets the BlueCosto apart from other equally minimalist shoe horns long or short is not the design but the amount of stainless that went into its fabrication. Whereas most such long handled metal shoe horns are 1.2 mm thick the BlueCosto is 1.8 mm. That might not look like much on paper but in reality it’s a full 50% thicker than most competitor shoe horns. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best electric shoe polishers.

It took a while but you knew we’d have to include a good old fashioned wooden shoe horn on our list of best shoe horns. This is by far the most versatile of the wood shoe horns we tested. It can be used standing up or sitting down, has an agreeable look and feel to it, has a nice round handle that’s easy for anyone to grasp firmly and is very reasonably priced.

The Bamber Wood shoe horn doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some shoe horns but traditionalists don’t usually care about bells and whistles. They want Old World common sense and craftsmanship and they get both in spades with the Bamber. The shoe horn tapers gently as it moves down toward its business end, which slips gently into your shoes opening them up slightly so your feet can slip in. Some metal shoe horns chew at the leather of the heel on your shoes but not the Bamber. It respects your shoes and leaves them the way it finds them.

The final entry on our roll call of the best shoe horns is this fine piece of craftsmanship from Numplar. Numplar shoe horn is another of those shoe horns you’re going to want to accidentally leave lying around in the kitchen or living room so guests can see and appreciate it. It’s a hybrid shoe horn with a solid wood upper half and a durable, sleek stainless steel business end.

The wooden handle has a smooth buttery quality that is a joy to hold and never gets cold during the winter. The 27.5 inch length means it’s long enough that most people won’t have to bend over to use it. The stainless steel horn has an electroplated finish and nice smooth edges that aren’t going to dig into the leather of the heel cup. And at the end of the painted and lacquered wooden handle is a leather lanyard to hang the shoe horn on your coat rack or hat rack. Be sure to also check out our list of the best over the door shoe racks for more great items.