Wearing boots that are too small and tight can be uncomfortable and have negative effects on your overall comfort and well-being. Tight boots can lead to changes in the way you walk, causing imbalances in the hips, lower back pain, and discomfort in your feet. If you find yourself in this situation, you might be wondering, “How to stretch boots?”
Sometimes, you may come across a pair of boots you love, but they’re slightly smaller than your ideal size. While you can’t shrink boots to make them fit better, you can stretch them to achieve a more comfortable fit with a bit of ingenuity and effort. In this article, we will explore various methods for stretching boots, allowing you to keep wearing those favorite pairs without discomfort or blisters.
HOW TO STRETCH BOOTS
Use a boot stretcher to stretch boots:
Boot stretchers have been used for a long time and are a proven method to permanently stretch boots. These tools are designed like wooden feet that you can insert into your boots. With a little adjustment, they evenly stretch your boots and can even add a bit of width if the stretcher is adjustable.
Whether you’ve gained some weight or your feet have swelled up in the heat, a boot stretcher is an excellent choice if you only need a slight stretch. Before using the boot stretcher, consider applying some shoe stretching liquid to soften the fabric and make the stretching process easier. However, always check if the liquid is suitable for the material of your boots.
Here’s how to use a boot stretcher effectively:
-Spray the shoe stretching liquid evenly on the inside and outside of the boots in the areas that need stretching. Allow a few minutes for the solution to soak in and soften the fabric.
-Insert the boot stretchers inside the boots, ensuring they are expanded before placing them in the boots.
-Gradually extend the stretcher while it’s inside the boot by turning the knob until you feel a good amount of resistance.
-Leave the stretcher in the boots for 24 to 48 hours.
-Remove the boot stretchers and try on the boots for comfort. If necessary, repeat the above steps.
-Remember that the longer you leave the stretcher in the boots, the more they will stretch. It’s a good idea to start with a shorter stretching period and gradually increase it based on your desired level of stretch.
Stretch boots with a hairdryer:
-If you’re in a hurry and need to stretch leather boots quickly, applying heat to the leather can soften it and make it more pliable. Here’s how to stretch boots quickly using a hairdryer:
-Using a hairdryer, heat the tight areas of the boots for a few minutes. Be cautious not to hold the dryer too close, as it may burn or mark the leather.
-Put on a pair of thick socks or wear two pairs, then put on the heated boots and walk around for at least 30 minutes.
-Take off the extra socks and try on the boots to see if they have stretched enough. If not, repeat the process.
-A helpful tip is to use the boot stretcher in conjunction with the hairdryer method for leather boots. Once you’ve warmed up the leather, insert the boot stretchers and expand them until you encounter some resistance. You can continue to heat the boots with the stretcher inside, which will keep the leather soft and hasten the stretching process.
Stretching boots with rubbing alcohol:
-Rubbing alcohol works similarly to shoe stretching liquid by softening and making the leather or fabric of your boots more pliable. If you’re short on time and need effective results, you can use rubbing alcohol to stretch your boots. Here’s how to do it:
-Dampen a cloth with some rubbing alcohol.
-Gently dab the cloth over the tight areas of the boots that need stretching.
-Put on thick socks and walk around in the boots for at least 30 minutes.
-You can also use the boot stretcher method mentioned earlier.
-Try the boots on and repeat the process if necessary.
-For increasing the width of your boots, you can place a couple of pairs of socks on the stretcher before inserting them into the boots.
Have your boots stretched professionally:
If you have the time and budget or simply want to avoid the risk of damaging your boots during the stretching process, consider visiting a cobbler or a reputable shoe repair shop. A cobbler will use specialized tools and techniques to stretch your boots professionally, providing you with a more comfortable fit.
Here’s what you can do when opting for professional boot stretching:
-Find a reputable shoe repair shop or cobbler in your area.
-Take your boots to the shop and explain precisely where they feel tight.
-The cobbler will use techniques and tools to stretch your leather or fabric boots in a way that ensures a comfortable fit.
-Try the boots on, and if necessary, the cobbler can make further adjustments.
-Keep in mind that there are limits to how much you can stretch boots. While you can gain an extra half size to a full size, you cannot achieve drastic size changes through stretching alone.
How to stretch boots with a zip-lock bag and water:
When I think of how to stretch boots wider my favorite method is always going to be the ice method.
Did you know you can stretch boots with ice? The process is surprisingly straightforward, but it requires some caution to avoid damaging your boots. This method works well for both leather and non-leather boots. Here’s how you can do it:
-If available, dampen the boots with rubbing alcohol or shoe softener and let them absorb the moisture.
-Place one Ziploc bag inside another to prevent any leakage. Insert the Ziploc bag into the boot and use your hand to stretch the bag to all areas of the boot.
-Fill the bag with water, leaving some space at the top to accommodate the expansion when the water freezes. Seal the bag securely.
-Place the boots with the Ziploc bag and water in the freezer and leave them overnight.
-Try on the boots, and if you need more stretch, repeat the process with more water.
-When using this method, start with small amounts of water to gauge how much the boots will expand when the water freezes. Too much water could stretch the boots excessively, leading to damage.
In addition to these general methods for stretching boots, it’s essential to consider specific stretching techniques for particular areas of the boots, such as length or width adjustments, based on your comfort needs. Remember that proper-fitting boots not only enhance your comfort but also ensure healthy foot posture and overall well-being. With these tips and tricks for stretching boots, you can keep enjoying your favorite pairs without compromising on comfort.
FAQ’s
How to stretch leather boots calf ?
So one of the best methods to use for stretching the calf of a leather boot is the ice method mentioned above. Be careful if you have a zip though, too much pressure from the ice can break it.
Another option, and I use this with my work boots becuase it can leave a mark is with water. If your boots are real leather, you can spray the calf of the boot with some water or leather conditioner. The roll up a towel, stuff it in the calf section of the boot and leave it overnight.
If you use water, its possible that the water can leave a stain on the leather, but if you use the conditioner you won’t have to worry about that.
How to stretch boots around ankle?
Similar to the calf, I would go for the zip loc and water method. The part that curves from the calf to the bottom of the boot is also really tough, and you need a lot of pressure to do this.
Again, do this in stages becuase ice won’t just stop expanding if you put too much water. You can overstretch or even tear the leather.
How to stretch boots for wide feet?
I’ve had to do this so many times with my right boot. My left foot is wider and longer than my left by about half a size, and you know the ache of wearing a tight leather boot all day long.
The bottom of a boot is pretty tough, so again the ice method is going to be the best option here. Just remember to do it in stages, you don’t want to fill the bag up too much and blow the stitching.
How to stretch boots without a boot stretcher?
You can use any of the methods we have discusses in this article about stretching boots, and choose the one most suited to what part you are wanting to stretch.
How to stretch boots that are not leather ?
You can use similar methods, but fake leather is not as strong as real leather. So if you are stretching with ice, dont put a lot of water. If you are stretching boots with heat, don’t heat it too much or it will melt.
But, in all honesty I would not advise stretching boots that are not leather. The material may stretch, but it usually has a coating on top and it will all probably crack and leave visible damage.
How to stretch boots top of foot?
I used to work construction, and boot can rub against the top of your foot, and its pretty painful after a full day. A boot stretcher or the Ice method is going to be the best option here.
How to stretch boots a half size?
The fail safe way to stretch a boot half a size is with show stretcher becuase you can manually adjust the stretch amount. If you use any of the other methods it’s going to have to be a little trial and error.
How to stretch boots safely?
You always want to make sure you test any product you are going to use on a small patch of the leather to assure the are no adverse reactions.
Before you stretch leather, it is always best to loosen up the fibers. This can be with a leather conditioner spray or with heat. If you stretch dry leather you will most definitely damage it.
How to stretch boots with a ziploc baggie?
This is the method with the water and Zip-Lock bag we spoke about earlier in the article.
How to stretch boots with a zipper?
As I said earlier, you need to be careful when stretching boots wit a zip. The zip is held together by fabric and won’t hold up well to pressure. A way around this is to open the zip of the boot, then decide if you are going to use a boot stretcher or the ice method.
Once you have the water and the bag, or the boot stretcher in place, wrap the part of the boot with the zip with a thin towel or a cloth, then tighten it with zip ties, all the way down.
Make you you dont tighten it too much because you want some room to stretch, but you won’t damage the zip this way.
Conclusion:
So as you can see, there are many ways to stretch your boots to make them more comfortable. I hope the article has given you a enough information to give yourself a more comfortable fit.
If you have any methods up your sleeve that I have not mentioned, please let me know in the comments and I’ll add it to the list.