I have too many pairs of shoes. There, I said it. Am I proud? Not really. Do I want to part with any of them? Also no. If you're like me and need somewhere to store your collection (read: addiction), you're probably on the hunt for a shoe rack.
There are lots on offer, but if you're on a budget or will be hiding it in a wardrobe, you don't need a shoe rack with lots of bells and whistles - just something simple that will do the job.
As it's a product that ticks the boxes of both simple and affordable, we decided to test out the UMI. by Amazon 3-Tier Metal Shoe Rack. With enough space for around 9-12 pairs of shoes, plus the handy £21 price tag, it's an attractive option for someone with more shoes than space.
But does its price dictate its quality? Let's find out.
The Review
The shoe rack arrived in a box and took mere minutes to assemble. It's so simple; just attached metal poles to plastic fittings. Once built, I set about filling it with shoes, naturally. I found that shoes with a flat sole or chunky heel worked best due to the space between the bars - you could put some stilettos on here, but they'd be at an angle and wouldn't be as well-supported. Each to their own.
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There's plenty of space for boots, but anything over ankle height would have to go on the top shelf, or be folded over.
It's really lightweight, so is simple to move around, but I did find that if I tried to drag it with the shoes already in place, some of the metal poles would pop out. It's best to put it in your desired location and then add your shoes.
Similarly, you can't lift it up with shoes on it, as the handles simply pop out of the plastic fittings.
For this reason, I'd recommend it as a shoe rack that goes inside of your cupboard - if it was in your hallway, it might take a few nudges, which means you'd have to pop the metal poles back in again and again.
Conclusion
Overall, this product is easy to put together, really purse-friendly and would be great for inside a cupboard to store trainers, boots and flats. It's a little too fragile to have it out in a high-traffic area, and if it needs moving around a lot, you're going to be putting it back together each time.
For the low price, you can't expect a blow-your-mind quality product. However, it's a good option for those in need of some quick, cheap organisation, and will no doubt make many a shoe lover happy. Plus, more money to spend on shoes, right?
Pros:
• Affordable
• Holds plenty of shoes
• Easy to put together
• Keeps shoes organised and tidy
Cons:
• Not as sturdy as some options on the market
• Will come apart when pulled or knocked
Dimensions: 35.5 x 12 25.6in
What to read next:
Jade Moscrop is the Deputy Editor for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.
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