The 10 Best Long Handled Shoe Horns
Updated by · How we research
A 30-inch shoe horn lets most adults stand. Ten steel, plastic, wood and telescopic horns compared on reach, thickness and grip. Vive Health Extra Long leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
At 16.5 inches, a short horn still needs a seat or a modest bend. A long-handled shoe horn lets you slide a heel into a shoe without bending down, which matters after a hip replacement, when bending past a right angle is commonly off limits. Seniors use them too, as do people with back pain, knee surgery or a closet of snug boots.
Editor's Notes
October 19, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
Two things lift the Vive Health Extra Long to the top: it reaches the heel from a standing position, and it has the only real grip among the long steel horns. Half of the 2020 list no longer held up. The Shacke Extra Long and the JJDParts Dressing Stick are gone, the Numplar Metal is unavailable, and we couldn't match the plain Long Handle Shoe Horn to anything still sold. The Fanwer Durable was a near-copy of a better-equipped 31-inch horn, and the Bamber Wood listing is now a 15-inch model, which is too short to count as long-handled.
The Zomake TM0088A and the HoundsBay Heavy Duty stay as the short, inexpensive options, and the old OrthoStep entry is now the Red Moose 24-Inch, the same maker's polished horn.
New are the Comfy Clothiers 23-Inch for people who can lean a little, the TriPro Telescopic for travel and shared households, and the Phantawell Dressing Stick for hip or knee recovery. A light plastic horn and a wood one round out the materials.
There are no independent lab tests of shoe horns, so we relied on what makers state about length, steel thickness and warranty, on patterns in owner reports such as telescoping shafts that creep, and on recall checks; we say where a claim comes only from the seller.
December 17, 2020:
People looking for a long-handled shoe horn might want anything from a 12-inch option for additional assistance while seated to an extra-long model that allows them to stand without having to bend. We saw to that need by ensuring we had a wide range of lengths on this list, with options in myriad materials and aesthetics as well, as this thing will likely be hanging up where everyone can see it.
When the BlueCosto Chrome-Plated became unavailable, we supplanted it with the Comfy Clothiers Heavy Duty, an equally attractive, extremely durable selection. This one isn't too long or too short, has a no-frills, sleek stainless steel construction, and won't bend no matter the shoe or boot you're working with. It's also wide enough that the side of your footwear shouldn't get crushed while you're putting it on.
We decided to swap the Shacke Solid Metal for the OrthoStep Brushed Brass. This isn't because there is anything wrong with the Shacke unit, but rather because the OrthoStep has three inches on it and is offered in a variety of attractive finishes. It's equally as comfortable to hold, elegant, and indestructible. Be aware that it's heavy and solid, though, so maybe give it a swerve if you have hand mobility issues or a weak grip.
Also joining the ranks today is the JJDParts Dressing Stick, a multifunctional tool that's adjustable in length and extremely helpful for dressing and accessing things that are out of reach. It's made of reinforced plastic and is relatively sturdy, but it's nowhere near as strong as steel, so beware of putting too much pressure on it. If you need something that has some flex but won't bend, the Numplar Metal is a solid budget choice.
By the way, if you're serious about keeping your shoes in tip-top condition, you might also want to pick up a good pair of shoe trees.
October 08, 2019:
We expanded this list to include three new models: the Shacke Solid Metal, the Fanwer Durable, and the Muso Wood. That rounded out our selections to an even ten, adding a thick, indestructible metal option, another handsome wooden unit, and a simple, very long stainless steel piece. This list now features options that can help the owner put on everything from men's dress shoes to work boots. We also felt that the Long Handle Shoe Horn deserved to claim a top spot due to its high-grade materials, meticulous construction, and elegant look.
Our priorities for ranking included ease of use, quality materials, fair price points, and attractiveness. We ensured there are myriad lengths to cater to every need. These selections are all easy to keep clean, but keep in mind that chrome-finished units tend to show fingerprints. If that bothers you, a brushed finish, like what you see with the Fanwer Durable, should be considered instead. If you have arthritis or need something that's very easy to grip, the oversized handle of the Shacke Extra Long or polymer coated HoundsBay Metal should suit your needs nicely.
Special Honors
Kirby Allison Kirby Allison's shop sells long shoe horns made to last a lifetime, including Hanger Project full-length horns with walnut or bubinga shafts and Wellington full-length ox horn models hand-finished in England. They cost several times a steel horn, but they suit a well-kept closet of good leather shoes. kirbyallison.com
Abbeyhorn Large Stag Abbeyhorn, an English hornworks that traces its history to 1749, makes a 22-inch ox horn shoehorn with a stag antler handle. Each one is shaped and polished by hand, so color and grain vary from piece to piece, and buyers can state a light, medium or dark preference. abbeyhorn.co.uk
How we researched this
We compared 22 long-handled shoe horns and dressing sticks and screened 20 current listings in depth. We read makers' product pages where they loaded, owner feedback patterns, and medical guidance from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the NHS on dressing after hip surgery, and we checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent lab tests of shoe horns.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a long-handled shoe horn be?
About 16.5 inches if you'll sit or bend a little, 23 to 24 inches to stand with a slight lean, and 30 to 32 inches to stand upright. A telescoping horn covers all three.
Is a metal or plastic shoe horn better?
Stainless steel is stiffer and lasts longer, which matters for boots. Plastic is lighter and gentler on shoe linings but flexes more. Coated carbon steel is cheap but can rust if the coating chips.
What shoe horn should I use after hip replacement surgery?
A horn of 30 inches or more, or a dressing stick with a shoe horn end, so you don't bend the hip past a right angle. Follow your surgeon's or therapist's precautions.
Can a long shoe horn bend?
Thin horns can. Thick stainless steel, around 1.8 to 2.0 millimeters, resists bending, while plastic and telescoping aluminum horns flex more under hard pressure.
Is there a long shoe horn for travel?
Yes. Telescoping horns such as the TriPro Telescopic split into short sections and fit in a small bag, then extend to about 37 inches.
