shoehorn

thumb|A metal shoehorn thumb|A shoehorn used to don a pair of loafers thumb|A heavy duty long stainless steel shoehorn used to don safety footwear A shoehorn or shoe horn (sometimes called a shoespooner, shoe spoon, shoe schlipp, or shoe tongue) is a tool with a short handle that flares into a longer spoon-like head meant to be held against the inside back of a snug-fitting shoe so that a person can slide their heel easily along the shoe's basin to its inner sole.

Shoehorns have the same basic shape but the length or strength of the handle varies. Long-handled shoe horns are necessary for longer boots, while shoe horns with sturdy handles are useful for putting on boots. They are sometimes used by people who, because of less flexible joints, wish to reduce straining or bending.