Shoe Tree: Alternative View

Recently I purchased shoe trees and my doubts started to crawl in. I will try to explain. I understand the purpose of shoe trees is limited to the following:

• Alleviate creases on top
• Prevent deformation of the boot
• Absorb moisture and deodorize
• Make brushing/cleaning easier

Sounds good, but thus spring-loaded contraption applies significant force on the boot. Say, I have expensive boots, and during the break-in period the boot adjusts to the feet and makes the boots my boots. However the shoe trees are not my feet (nor they necessarily match the original last) and it kind of undoes or distorts the nice adjustment to my feet. And with time it may change the shape altogether, especially during long-term storage...

These were my thoughts. And I started to think of alternatives... I discounted the last two points: I do not tend to think that the shoe tree absorbs significant moisture: where would it accumulate, in a virtual pool of sweat? And The brushing is not much easier with the shoe tree. But would the towels inserted into the boot do the better job?

Any thought or experiences?