How to Stretch Shoes: Shoe Stretching Methods
Author: Cheryl Kilbourne-Kimpton
Ever get a pair of shoes and realize that they’re a touch too small? If they’re leather, you don’t need to return them. In time, they’ll stretch on their own.
You can also accelerate the process if necessary. Here are some simple steps to stretch a shoe easily and, most importantly, without damaging your expensive leather or suede footwear.
Supplies Needed for Stretching Shoes
If you want to learn how to stretch a shoe, you’ll need two key supplies.
- Shoe stretch liquid. We carry Selliari’s SPS Shoe Stretch Liquid in two sizes.
- A shoe stretcher. There are six types of shoe stretchers to choose from, ranging from $27 to $70. Opt for the best shoe stretchers you can afford and make sense for your need, especially if you have multiple leather shoes to stretch.
A shoe stretcher varies because your foot can change over time, either due to injury or pregnancy, or perhaps you work with costumes and need to adjust shoes to fit the actor’s feet. No matter the reason, buying a quality shoe stretcher is advised so you can get the versatility and use from the tool.
Types of Shoe Stretchers and How They Stretch Shoes
Whether you need shoe stretchers for boots, heels, or loafers, it’s good to learn about the different types and how they work to stretch shoes.
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How to Stretch Shoes with Regular Shoe Stretchers
A regular shoe stretcher is used to stretch out shoes for both men and women, including loafers, ballet flats, slip-ons, and other flat shoes. A single stretcher can be used in both shoes and comes with adjustable corn and bunion pieces for stretching problem areas.
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How to Stretch Leather Shoes Wider with a 2-way Shoe Stretcher
If you want to learn how to widen a shoe, your answer is the 2-way shoe stretcher. A 2-way shoe stretcher can stretch both the width and the length of the shoe, ensuring a perfect fit. It also comes with adjustable corn and bunion pieces for stretching problem areas (bunion plugs can also help here). Available in men’s 2-way shoe stretcher and women’s 2-way shoe stretcher sizes.
- How to Stretch Leather Boots with a Boot Stretcher
For boot stretching, boot stretchers are helpful. They stretch both men’s and women’s boots and can be used on either boot, but they cannot adjust the length. It is used to change the width and the vamp and stretch corn/bunion areas.
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How to Stretch Shoes Using a Toe Box Stretcher
A common question on stretching shoes is, “can you stretch shoes in the toe area?”. Yes, you can! Toe box stretchers are specifically made to provide more space in the toe box area of shoes by stretching the leather “up” instead of “out.” This way of stretching leather shoes is ideal if your shoes are tight at the top front.
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How to Stretch Leather Shoes with a Vamp Stretcher
Is it possible to stretch shoes on the instep area? Absolutely! This type of wooden shoe stretcher – the vamp stretcher – is perfect for feet with high arches. This shoe stretcher relieves the pinching on the top of the foot, reducing the feeling of tight shoes.
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How to Stretch Shoes with a High Heel Stretcher
Even high-heeled shoes can be stretched with the help of a high heel shoe stretcher. It has a curved instep designed for high heel shoes.
How to Stretch Shoes: The Stretching Process
Whether you want to find out how to stretch the width of a shoe or improve comfort for the top of the foot, the how-to stretch process is quite simple.
- Determine the specific area (toe, vamp, width, length, or corn/bunion area) in the shoe that needs stretching.
- Apply liquid or spray shoe stretch to the inside or outside of the shoe. Test a small area of the shoe as sometimes the shoe stretch liquid can cause the dye in the leather to bleed.
- Insert the stretcher into the shoe and turn the handle that causes the stretcher to expand the shoe. Expand against the shoe’s sides until pressure begins to show on the shoe’s surface.
- Leave the stretcher in your pair of leather shoes overnight.
- If more relief is needed, repeat the process. It is better to stretch the shoes several times incrementally than to overstretch at once.
How to Stretch Shoes without a Stretcher
No time or money to stretch shoes with a stretcher? If you only need a little stretching done, you can apply the shoe stretch liquid to your shoe and then wear them. The heat and the walking will help stretch the shoes, although this might be slightly uncomfortable, so wear thick socks. You can speed up this process by using a blow dryer on medium heat.
Another method is by putting shoes in the freezer. To do this, place them in a zip-lock bag of water, put them in the freezer, and when the water freezes, your shoes will expand. It’s not as effective as shoe stretchers, but if you only need a little stretching, it can help.
How to Stretch Shoes Wider Using a Professional Service
A local repair shop will professionally stretch your shoes for a price. Some cobblers use machines that gently apply pressure and heat shoes to stretch them to the correct size. While it might cost more money, this service takes away the stress and effort from you. It should take around 24 hours.
Having shoes that are too tight is a pain. Luckily, stretching leather boots and other types of shoes is a possible solution.
To wear your shoes without worry, use one of the shoe stretching methods above, and you’ll make any pair of shoes fit your foot as though it was custom-made. Just a few easy steps can make the difference between dealing with blisters and walking on air.
Give us a call or visit our store for high-quality shoe stretchers that will help you walk without discomfort. Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help!