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Everyone has experienced it before. Either we placed an online order for shoes and eagerly awaited their delivery, only to discover that they are rather tight and run small. Or we got our ideal shoes even though they were half a size too small since we saw them on the markdown rack. Sometimes we merely bought the wrong size shoe and they feel excessively tight, or one foot is slightly smaller than the other. In any event, it is possible to swiftly and successfully stretch too-tight shoes up to half a size or more. There are several simple do-it-yourself methods for stretching shoes, but you can also always have your shoes professionally stretched by a cobbler yourself at home.
Ways to Stretch Out Your Shoes
As you wear them, shoes usually stretch all by themselves. Over time, leather shoes will fit, whether they are women’s heels or men’s dress shoes. However, if they are too tight and painful to break in, try some of these simple tips to expand your shoes to fit your feet by around half a size. There are techniques for stretching your shoes, saving you from having to walk on tiptoe and risking blisters and irritation. You can use some of these methods to try to stretch the shoes to fit you if you are unable or unable to return them.
Wear Them in the Evening
Wearing your shoes around the home in the evening is one of the simplest and most effortless ways to begin stretching them. Put on many layers of thick socks or thick socks and walk around your house until your feet hurt. After a few days of this, you should notice a significant improvement in the way your feet feel in your shoes. Thick socks, along with the shape of your feet and your walking pressure, work wonders to release the tension from tight shoes. Stick to walking on rugs, carpets, mats and bathroom rugs if you’re considering returning them if they don’t feel comfortable. This will prevent any wear from being left on the shoe bottoms.
When purchasing shoes, consider the purpose for which you intend to use them as well as the socks you plan to pair them with. For instance, you’ll probably use heavier socks instead of tiny dress socks if you purchase hiking or winter snow boots. Occasionally, we neglect to get slightly larger shoes when we buy them with the intention of wearing them with thicker socks. Before you wear the shoe on the trails, wearing thick socks around will assist it stretch to a size that feels good for you.
Thick Socks and a Blow Dryer
A blow dryer and some socks are needed for another at-home method of stretching shoes. Put on a couple pairs of thick socks, if possible. To get the same effect if you don’t have thick socks, wear multiple pairs of men’s or thinner socks. Slide your feet into the shoes and pull on your socks. Blow dry the parts of the shoe that feel tight for a duration of 20 to 30 seconds at a time using a hairdryer to apply heat. To prevent overheating, drying out, or unintentionally burning the leather, we advise just using medium heat while keeping the blow dryer moving. After doing this, we advise nourishing the leather of the shoes with a leather conditioner or moisturiser to relieve the tension caused by the heat and dryness.
Frozen Zip-Close Bag
Leather can be stretched using cold as well as heat. This approach works best on non-leather shoes, but it’s acceptable on leather shoes as well. Instead, we advise using the heat option while working with leather. You can gently stretch non-leather shoes, such as trainers or slippers, in the freezer using a zip-close bag filled with water. You don’t want your shoes to become wet, so make sure the zip-close bag doesn’t have any leaky holes before inserting it inside your shoe. After you’re positive the baggie won’t leak, put it inside the shoes so it fits securely. Then, fill the baggies about 1/4 of the way with water.
Once the water freezes, place the shoes in the freezer and keep them there. When frozen, take it out and allow it to thaw. Try this method again if after one round the shoes still don’t fit.
Water shoes and canvas shoes, for example, can be frozen straight away. Put these shoes in the freezer to freeze after giving them a quick wet wipe. Remove them and allow them to defrost. After their freezer time, they ought to fit perfectly!
Stuff in Newspapers
You can use other objects to stretch the shoes instead of your feet if you’re sick of stomping around the house in brand-new shoes in an attempt to break them in. You can accomplish this in an antiquated manner by just packing newspapers inside your shoes. The shoes will gradually and gently expand out due to the pressure and shape of the tightly bundled paper. If you don’t have any crumpled up newspaper on hand, you may get the similar effect by placing several pairs of socks into the shoes. The shoes should feel noticeably roomier after a few days.
Use the Peeled Potato Hack
Although it might sound like an old wives’ tale, stretching tight shoes can be done humorously and effectively with this approach. Peel a potato and form it into the shape of the toe box on the front of the shoe. After drying the potato with a paper towel, place it inside your shoe for the night. Although this strategy seems ridiculous, you should definitely plan on having a little extra room in your shoes in the morning.
Adjustable Shoe Trees
The more sophisticated and advanced method for lengthening your shoes is to use adjustable shoe trees. As a matter of fact, women’s shoe wardrobes frequently contain adjustable shoe trees. A common tool for maintaining the shape of different types of fancy dress shoes is an adjustable shoe tree. In order to maintain the appearance and appeal of your shoes, shoe trees are made to smooth out the lining and remove any dents or wrinkles. Though they aren’t made specifically for stretching shoes, shoe trees can nevertheless be used for some stretching.
Shoe trees, which come in a variety of materials like plastic, cedarwood, and stainless steel, work well for stretching leather and sneaker shoes. These useful tools may extend a shoe’s length and width, which is especially beneficial for people with broader feet or bunions. Using the adjustable shoe tree means that you can modify the shoes’ length and width by turning the tree’s adjustable handle every 8 to 12 hours.
Shoe Stretch Sprays and Liquids
For a more successful outcome, adjustable shoe trees can also be used in conjunction with shoe stretching solutions and sprays. Numerous liquids and sprays are available that work well for stretching vinyl, leather, fabric, and even shoes. The areas of the shoe that feel tight can be treated with these stretch sprays. To stretch out the tight spots, spray them and then move around in your shoes. As an alternative, stretch the shoes with an adjustable shoe tree or shoe stretcher after using the stretch sprays and solutions.
Find a Shoe Repair Professional
There is no issue if you decide not to tackle this assignment by yourself! Visiting specialised shoe repair establishments, commonly referred to as cobblers, is an excellent choice for individuals who lack time or simply prefer not to deal with the hassle of extending shoes at home. Cobblers can still be found in most cities and some more rural or suburban regions, even though they aren’t as common as they once were. With the use of technology and training, shoe professionals offer services for stretching shoes. This is an excellent choice for both men’s and women’s boots. A specialist in shoe repair or cobbler will have all the necessary equipment and tools to stretch even the most intricate or delicate shoes.
Rubbing Alcohol
Another everyday home item that works well for stretching tight shoes is rubbing alcohol. Rubber alcohol might make it easier for you to break in and stretch new shoes if your feet are having trouble adapting to them. 50% water and 50% rubbing alcohol should be combined in a spray bottle to create a dilution. After giving the shoes a good spray, put them on and wait 20 to 30 minutes. An alternative is to only apply rubbing alcohol to the areas of the shoes that feel particularly tight or need to be stretched. Put the wet shoes on and wear them after applying alcohol to the areas that are more constricted.
Buy a Shoe Stretcher
Using a shoe stretcher is an additional easy method for stretching shoes. Shoe stretchers are inserts that work similarly to an adjustable shoe tree in that they stretch the shoe from the inside out, encouraging it to maintain its shape. For leather and formal shoes, shoe stretchers are fantastic. Having a shoe stretcher on hand to help your dress shoes maintain their form can make you look even more put together whether you’re wearing a men’s suit or a women’s business suit. Applying a stretch spray to the inside and outside of your shoe can help it get ready for stretching. If not, just insert the stretcher into the shoe and use the extending wheel to get the right size. Give the stretcher a breaki n for six to eight hours, but don’t leave it in too long because the shoe could become too stretched and loosen..
Try one of these simple methods to offer your toes a little more wiggle space and improve the comfort of your feet if you are having trouble breaking in new shoes, purchased a size too small, or otherwise ended up with shoes that feel unbearably tight. Just keep in mind to try on shoes with the appropriate size sock and take some time to walk around in them before making a purchase the next time you go shoe shopping. If not, try a few of these simple tricks to somewhat improve the fit of your shoes. At Lands’ End, you may find fantastic business attire, daytime ensembles, and outdoor gear to go with your freshly extended shoes to complete your ensemble.
