Sneaker Shields vs. ForceFields (Crease Protector)

If you are a sneakerhead, you have probably heard of two popular crease protector brands, Sneaker Shields and ForceFields. So what are the differences between the two?

Unlike ForceFields which are made of foam, Sneaker Shields are made of plastic which does a better job of preventing creases and maintaining the shape of any shoes. The soft foam of ForceFields may also absorb sweat, unlike the plastic of Sneaker Shields.

Additionally, ForceFields utilize adhesive tapes to stick onto the inside of the toe box, whereas the Sneaker Shields can support its own body. In this post, let’s compare the Sneaker Shields vs. ForceFields to find out which shoe crease protector is better.

Sneaker Shields vs. ForceFields Comparison

It goes without saying that every pair of sneakers will develop creases over its lifetime.

From tough Old Skool Vans, and retro Chuck Taylors, to iconic leather-made Air Force Ones, no shoes are excluded, as creases happen to shoes just like wrinkles happen to old people.

To prevent creases from happening in the first place, one method many sneaker owners use is to insert shoe crease protectors, also known as shoe decreasers.

Indeed, two popular brands are Sneaker Shields and ForceFields.

Sneaker Shields are made of a proprietary plastic blend shaped like toes, designed to fit into any shoe type including top-performing sneakers and dress shoes. All you have to do is slide a Sneaker Shield inside the toe box area of any shoes, and it will do its job.

On the other hand, ForceFields are made of patented soft foam which seamlessly fit inside the toe box of sneakers. Each ForceField includes two adhesive strips on top for easy placement inside the toe box, and they are designed to stay in place during movement.

Let’s compare how each crease protector performs.

Sneaker Shields do a better job of preventing creases

The first, and arguably the most important thing, that we noticed between the two is that the Sneaker Shields do a much better job of preventing creases than ForceFields.

Sneaker Shields do a much better job over the ForceFields in maintaining the shape of the shoes because they are made of firm plastic instead of soft foam.

Because the firm plastic is able to maintain its structural integrity, Sneaker Shields is able to withstand any flex that happens when you walk in your shoes. On the other hand, ForceFields are not able to hold their shape as well because they are softer.

And since the ForceFields are made of foam, they can still flex with the toe boxes of the shoes as you walk in them, unlike the Sneaker Shields, which are firm and rigid.

Fortunately, both Sneaker Shields and ForceFields remain invisible inside your shoes. In fact, not only would anyone know that you have something inside your sneakers, but the creases become less visible too. But are they both comfortable?

ForceFields are more comfortable at first, but do not last as long

Between the two, ForceFields are much more comfortable at first, simply because they are made of soft foam. However, they do not last long and become deformed sooner than we would have liked because of the softer material.

It seems counterproductive that a crease protector like ForceFields is made of a piece of foam that, by its own nature, creases and does not work to truly prevent creases. Maybe the foam material is chosen to provide more comfort for the wearer.

On the other hand, Sneaker Shields last much longer than ForceFields. This is due to the solid plastic material of the Sneaker Shields. In fact, the manufacturer of Sneaker Shields claims that their products can last between 2 to 6 years.

Sneaker Shields is one of those products which you set and forget. In other words, once they are inside your shoes, they will continue to protect your shoes from creases. Sure, they may feel awkward at first, but you should get used to Sneaker Shields as time goes by.

While it’s true that Sneaker Shields may not be as soft and comfortable as ForceFields, they do a much better job of keeping creases at bay. After all, the main purpose of installing crease protectors is to prevent creases from happening, right?

ForceFields may absorb sweat and moisture, unlike Sneaker Shields

No one likes to have sweaty feet inside their shoes. Even with socks, your feet can sweat during the day because they contain more sweat glands than any part of your body.

Unfortunately, ForceFields are made of soft foam, which may absorb sweat and moisture more than the plastic of Sneaker Shields.

While both items are equipped with ventilation holes, we like the plastic material of Sneaker Shields better than the foam of ForceFields because the former does not absorb sweat.

Additionally, the adhesive tapes of the ForceFields are not as strong as we would have liked. As sweat builds up on your shoes, the weak adhesive gets unstuck very easily.

We were actually disappointed by the strength of the adhesives. Some of our team members tried putting on ForceFields on their sneakers, only to find both ForceFields had fallen down from each shoe the very next day.

On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about sweat with the Sneaker Shields since they are made of plastic. As long as you wear moisture-wicking socks, the Sneaker Shields should continue to do their job without absorbing nasty sweat and moisture.

Final verdict

WINNER: Sneaker Shields

If you are looking to protect your shoes from creases, we recommend Sneaker Shields over ForceFields because they last much longer. The firm plastic of Sneaker Shields is effective against creases, unlike the soft foam of ForceFields which may deform sooner.

While it may take some time to get used to, Sneaker Shields will remain invisible inside your shoes, so no one will know that you have a silent protector against creases.

And there you have it, the Sneaker Shields vs. ForceFields comparison. Both crease protector brands are arguably two of the best, so it’s logical to compare both of them.