Wearing shoes that are too small and tight can be uncomfortable and affect other parts of the body. Tight shoes can cause us to alter the way we walk and cause an imbalance in the hip, cause lower back pain, and you may have found yourself in this situation asking yourself “How to stretch shoes?”.
Sometimes you can land between two sizes on a shoe you really like, and you cannot shrink a shoe by half a size, but you sure can stretch a shoe half a size with a little ingenuity and effort. At this point it would be good to have a few tips for stretching shoes.
I wear a size 12.5 shoe, and finding that half is sometimes pretty difficult, and on many occasions I have needed to stretch my shoes. There are various ways to stretch shoes, so you don’t have to stop wearing those shoes that are giving you blisters, you can stretch them out a little to give you a more comfortable fit.
In this article we will be discussing all the ways of stretching out your shoes and give you instructions on how to perform each method. They include:
- Stretching shoes with frozen water
- Stretching shoes with a hairdryer
- Stretching shoes without a stretcher
- How to stretch shoes with alcohol
- How to stretch shoes that are not leather
- Stretching sneakers
How to stretch shoes that are too small
1. Use a shoe stretcher to stretch shoes
Shoe stretchers have been around for a very long time, and are a proven method to stretch shoes permanently. Shoe stretchers are like wooden feet that you can insert into your shoes, and with a little adjustment they will stretch your shoes evenly. You can also gain a little width in your shoe if the stretcher is wide enough.
Sometimes you buy a shoe that fits in the shop, but you may gain a little weight, or your feet swell up in the heat. Now your shoes are too tight and you just need to stretch them out a little bit to be comfortable. A shoe stretcher is a great choice if you only need to stretch your shoe out a little bit.
Before you start using the shoe stretcher, you can also get some shoe stretching liquid that will loosen out the fabric and make the shoes easier to stretch. The liquid is compatible with most materials, but always check to make sure it is ok to use with the type of fabric you are applying it to.
There are many varieties of shoe stretches, and they can come in pairs or one for each foot. The way they work is pretty similar though, so you can follow these instructions on how to use a shoe stretcher to get the best results each time. No matter which you choose, they are a great device for stretching shoes.
How to use a shoe stretcher:
1- Spray the shoe stretching liquid evenly on the inside and outside of the shoe in the areas that need to be stretched. Wait a few minutes for the solution to soak in and soften up the fabric.
2- Insert the shoe stretchers inside the shoes, making sure the stretcher is expanded before putting them into the shoe.
3- Extend the stretcher whilst in the shoe by turning the knob until you feel a good amount of resistance.
4- Leave the stretcher in the shoe for 24-48 hours
5- Remove the shoe stretchers and try the shoes for comfort. If needed, repeat the above steps.
The longer you leave the stretcher in, the more you are going to stretch your shoes. Try stretching your shoes for a shorter period the first time, and gradually increase depending on how much stretch you need.
2. Stretch shoes with hair dryer
If you need to stretch leather shoes, and are in a hurry and don’t have the time to stretch shoes overnight, then there is a way to stretch shoes quickly. When you apply heat to leather, it softens and becomes pliable. How to stretch shoes quickly? Follow these steps for an immediate shoe stretch.
A pro tip I got from a leatherworker was, apply some hand cream like Nivea to the shoes before you apply the heat. The moisture will soften the fabric, and also prevent the leather from drying too fast and cracking.
How to stretch shoes with a hairdryer:
1- Using a hair dryer, heat the tight areas of the shoe for a few minutes. Don’t hold the dryer too close though as you may burn and mark the leather.
2- Put on a pair of thick socks, or two pairs, put the shoes on and walk around for at least 30 mins.
3- Take off the extra socks, try the shoes on to see if you have enough stretch. If not, repeat again.
A tip here is that you can also use the shoe stretcher for the leather shoes. Once you have warmed the leather up, put the shoe stretchers in the shoes, and expand the stretcher until you get resistance. You can continue to heat the shoe with the shoe stretcher inside, this will keep the leather soft and quicken the stretch.
3. Stretching shoes with rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol works similar to liquid shoe softener by making the leather soft and pliable. You can use alcohol to stretch shoes if you are short in time and will get a pretty good result. Here is how to use rubbing alcohol to stretch your shoes:
How to stretch shoes with rubbing alcohol:
1- Dampen a cloth with some of the rubbing alcohol
2- Dab the cloth over the tight arrests of the shoe that needs stretching
3- Put on thick socks and walk around in the shoes for at least 30 mins
4- You can also use the shoe stretcher method mentioned previously
5- Try the shoe on and repeat the process if necessary
A tip here is, if you need to stretch your shoes wider, you can put a couple of pairs of socks on the stretcher, then insert them into the shoes.
4. Stretch shoes professionally
If you have the time and the money, or simply do not want to take the chance of ruining your shoes in the attempt of stretching them, go to a cobbler. A cobbler will use specialized and custom tools and techniques to stretch out your shoes for you.
1- Find a reputable shoe repair shop or cobbler in your area
2- Take your shoes to the shop and explain exactly where the shoes are tight
3- The cobbled will use techniques and tools to stretch your leather shoe in a way that gives you a more comfortable fit.
4- Try the shoes on, and if needed they can adjust the shoes further.
Remember, you can only stretch your shoes so far. So you cannot go from a size 9 to a size 11 with stretching a shoe, but you can give yourself from 0.5 – 1 size more depending on the structure of the shoe.
5. how to stretch shoes with zip lock bag and water
Did you know you can stretch shoes with ice! How to stretch shoes with ice you say ? well a lot easier than you would think. Be careful using this method though. You can tear apart a pair of shoes quite easily if you are not careful.
This is a good method to stretch leather shoes, but also a really good method for stretching shoes that are not leather. The process is simply filling up a Ziploc bag with water, then putting it in the shoe. We then use the change of temperature to stretch the shoes in the freezer.
When water freezes, it expands, and if the amount of space available in the shoe is less than what the ice will expand to, the shoe will stretch to accommodate. Follow these tips to get the best stretch using the ice method:
1 If you have, dampen the shoes with rubbing alcohol or shoe softener, and leave them to absorb.
2 Place one Ziploc bag inside another another to prevent any leakage, and with your hand put the Ziploc bag in the shoe pushing with your hand so the bag is stretched out to all areas of the shoe.
3 Fill the bag with water, but not all the way to the top, only to the level of the shoe brim. Then remove all the air from the bag, close it up.
4 Put the shoe in the freezer with the Ziploc bag and water, and leave overnight.
5 Try the shoe on, if you need to stretch a little more, repeat the process, but with more water.
You should definitely try this with small amounts of water first to get an idea of how much it will expand when it turns to ice. Too much water, and the ice can stretch your shoes too much, damaging the shoe.
I also want to go through a few other ways of stretching specific parts of shoes. You may only want to stretch your shoes in length, or in width and there are ways to to do this.
Stretching shoes in length
The best method for stretching the length of shoes is to use the shoe stretching tool. A shoe stretcher is adjustable and is specifically designed to stretch a shoe lengthwise. Follow the instructions in method No1 from the list. Repeat as needed, but remember you can only stretch a shoe so much.
Stretching shoes by wearing them
Depending on the type of shoe, they will stretch out a little after you wear them for a while. You can even put on an extra pair of socks and walk around in the shoes for a day to break them in and make a little more room. If the shoes are just too tight and you are feeling pain, then choosing one of the other methods may be better.
How to stretch shoes width
Stretching shoes that are too narrow will give you such a relief when done right. The best way to stretch the width of a shoe is using the freezer method. You can strategically place newspaper in the shoes at the front, and place the Ziploc bag with water then stuff more newspaper at the back to keep the ice in the middle.
By doing this, the ice will expand and stay in the centre of the shoe, and only stretching this part, stretching the width of the shoe. Repeat with more water if you need more width.
Stretching shoes in the oven
This falls under the category of stretching shoes with heat. One of the ways of stretching shoes is to heat them up to soften the fabric, then choose a method to stretch the fabric whilst pliable. You can heat your shoes in the oven on a low temperature, but I would be very careful. You might burn your shoes, or stain them with any residue present in the oven.
Stretching Sneakers
Many people refer to them as shoes or trainers, and stretching sneakers is exactly the same thing, just called by a different name. You can use all of the methods we have discussed in this article, including:
-stretching sneakers width
-stretching sneakers length
-stretching sneakers with ice
These are all some of the most well known methods of stretching shoes. If it’s the first time you are stretching out a pair of shoes, then let us walk through some of the most asked questions and their answers to help you avoid any mishaps.
Frequently asked questions
When stretching shoes, should they be wet or dry?
When you are stretching shoes, you want the fabric to be in a pliable state, and this sometimes requires dampening the shoe. You can use rubbing alcohol or shoe softening liquids. Wetting shoes with water might not be the best option though as it can leave water stains.
Which liquid to use when stretching shoes
Rubbing alcohol and special shoe stretching liquid are the preferred solutions.
How to stretch shoes half a size
Unless you are using a shoe stretcher, there is no exact measure of how much a shoe is going to stretch when using some of the methods we have discussed. You should try these methods and increase the amount of stretch little by little to avoid damaging the shoes. After a few tries, you will have a better idea of how much each method stretches a shoe in what way.
How to stretch shoes with hot water
You can dampen a cloth with hot water, then dab your shoes in the areas that need stretching, and apply one of the methods on the list. You can use this to stretch shoes that are not leather. You should not wet leather though, this will leave water marks when the leather dries.
How to stretch shoes with potatoes
What is the peeled potato trick for stretching shoes? Sounds pretty odd right, but you can actually use potatoes to stretch your shoes. Peel a potato that you can place in the front part of your shoe with a little force. Wrap the potato in some paper towels, and stuff the potato in the front of your shoe.
The moisture from the potato will be absorbed into the fabric of the shoe keeping it pliable. Leave the potato in the shoe overnight. After 24 hours take the potato out of the shoe, and you should have a little more wiggle room in your toes.
How to stretch shoes with elastic back
This can be tricky because you don’t have the back of the shop to support a shoe stretching device. The ziploc bag and water is one of the best methods. You will have to have the shoe with the heel facing up in the freezer and let gravity do the work.
Place the shoe vertically in the freezer so the point is on the bottom and the heel facing you. Then place the ziploc bag in the front of the shoe, and pour in the water. Remove the air and seal the bag. Gravity will keep the water in this position, and when it freezes it will expand and stretch your shoe with the elastic back not being an issue.
Is stretching shoes damaging them?
As long as you are not stretching shoes beyond their limits, then you are just stretching the fabric of the shoe and not damaging them. If you go too far you will stretch past what the stitches can hold and damage your shoe. It is always best to stretch your shoes little by little until you get used to the feel of how much a shoe can tolerate.
Does stretching shoes work
Stretching shoes definitely works. It works better with some shoes than others, and best with leather shoes as it is a much more pliable material. But you can use these methods to stretch converse shoes, training shoes, pretty much any type of shoe.
Other articles that may interest you:
How To Stretch Jeans, 9 Of The Best Methods
How To Stretch Shrunken Shirts, Proven Ways 2023
Conclusion:
As you can see after reading this article on how to stretch shoes, it is not that difficult to stretch out a pair of shoes and can be done with many items you have readily around the house. It is important to know that you need to be careful when stretching your shoes to not damage them and it may take some time and patience to get a feel for which method works best. Also how much time it takes to stretch your shoes with each method.
Always start by testing on an old pair of shoes so you get a feel for the process. When you’re ready to stretch a new pair of shoes, wear them first and get a good idea of where you need to stretch them, then identify one of the methods in this article best suited to the stretch you are wanting to achieve.
If you stretch your shoes a lot, be aware that you are stretching out fabric making it a little thinner, so you need to take extra good care of stretched out shoes for them to last longer.
In conclusion, stretching shoes is an easy process that doesn’t take much time. It can save you from an expensive mistake and the hassle of having to buy a new pair of shoes. If you can, always buy the right size, but where necessary, you can use this article to stretch out your shoes and keep them comfortable.
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