If you are spending a few hundred dollars on a nice pair of shoes, it only makes sense to keep shoe trees in them to keep them nice. I've ordered a few sets of these and I couldn't be happier with them. The cedar is nice, absorbs odors and moisture nicely. When they stop smelling nice, I give it a quick once over lightly with a little sandpaper and the cedar smell returns. The brass knob helps with inserting and removing the shoe trees. I have seen the wood in the heel shaped with a hook, but the knob looks more elegant. The heel area is completely filled out also, which helps keep the shape in the back of the shoe. I didn't have an issue with sizing (a medium fit my size 10 shoes perfectly) but I read in other reviews that people did, so go to the manufacturer's webpage to make sure.