How to stretch and break in leather shoes at home: the best ways

The article will tell you why you need to stretch leather shoes, how to stretch them correctly, and where it is better to do this - at home or take it to a shoe workshop.

Perhaps everyone, at least once in their life, has found themselves in a situation where their shoes are too small. There are different cases: choosing the wrong size in a store, buying shoes online. Of course, it’s a shame to throw away or give someone a completely new pair of shoes, but you won’t always be able to sell them. Then shoe stretching, which is becoming increasingly popular every day, can help you.

Advice: to ensure that the shoes fit well on your feet and you quickly get used to them, it is best to purchase a pair made of elastic material (calf leather, suede, combination leather).

A few words about the stretching process

Shoe stretching is a set of methods for “adjusting” shoes to the desired size. These methods are different: professional (specially trained craftsmen stretch shoes using special equipment) and home (using alcohol, boiling water, and so on). As a rule, it is impossible to stretch shoes made of thin leather, and even experienced craftsmen do not undertake such a task - the material can simply burst.

You can increase your shoe size using stretching, but you cannot decrease the size; such equipment and methods do not exist.

We stretch shoes in the workshop

If you are used to trusting professionals, use the help of workshops that provide shoe stretching services. This will be especially useful if you purchased an expensive pair, moreover, made of thin material. Professional shoe stretching is mechanized; during this procedure, masters use special equipment and liquids. The basic instrument looks like a cast of a foot, usually made from maple or cedar wood. It has special fasteners and screws with which you can adjust the proportions for stretching.

In workshops, stretching is performed using solutions.

These methods differ in time costs. With “dry” stretching, the effect is achieved only after a few days, depending on the structure of the material and the amount of work. If you need to quickly stretch your shoes, it would be more appropriate to use various sprays and creams that speed up the process.

In any case, you will first be measured to determine the degree of difficulty of the work and the required location of the stretch. Shoes can be stretched approximately one size, both in width and length.

How to stretch leather shoes like a pro

So, if you decide to entrust your shoes to a master, then get ready to wait: usually the work time is about a week. But the range of services is simply huge:

Stretching leather shoes to fit the fullness of the foot. Sometimes this one. The most common procedure that is suitable for both natural and artificial leather.
Stretching leather shoes along the bone. This service is perfect for those whose shoes only feel too tight in the pit.
You can stretch leather shoes in length. There are rumors that this is unacceptable, but in reality the technique is very simple: the shoes are pulled up completely and the stretch is directed along the pair. But sometimes this stretching is not enough to actually increase your shoe size.
How to stretch leather shoes at the top? Shoe workshops also provide such services, only the equipment is different and not suitable for all materials.
You can also stretch leather shoes at the heel. This is called "heel tapping." Thanks to this procedure, the heels will become soft and will not rub your feet.

It is worth remembering that stretching leather shoes in workshops does not provide a 100% guarantee that the shoes will become the right size and will not be damaged. And if you do not dare to entrust your pair to shoemakers, then you can stretch your shoes at home.

How many sizes can shoes be stretched to?

Leather and suede are materials that have stretch. Sellers manipulate this when they sell goods. They assure that the model must be taken end-to-end, as it will stretch and will spank in a month. I often succumbed to their tricks and bought tight shoes. Maybe I came across a low-quality product or a product made of leatherette, because leather and suede really stretch, fit well on the foot and quickly take its shape, even without stretching.

Before moving on to a review of proven methods, let's find out how many centimeters it is possible to stretch shoes? After all, 1 cm is equal to approximately 1 size, that is, you actually need to change the pad if you feel too tight.

Master's opinion

If you bought shoes in a smaller size, it is better not to try to pull them. For the skin, stretching by 1 cm is no longer good. At first it stretches, but then it can easily crack. Make sure you don’t remind yourself of the wolf from the cartoon “Well, wait a minute!”, who pulled the skates onto his paws, increasing them by 3 sizes.

In workshops, they most often undertake to stretch shoes in width or stretch the tops, but not always in length, and if they do, it is by millimeters, not centimeters. That's why. By stretching the top of the shoe by 1 cm or more, you pull it over the sole. Simply put, your sole is size 37, and you want to stretch the upper to 38. It will seem to hang over the sole, and the lifespan of shoes stretched in this way will decrease. Masters recommend stretching a maximum of 2-3 mm in length. For this they use special blocks with an exact length, and do not pull at random in different directions. It's a little easier to stretch it wide, since you won't break the block. In this case, aim for about half a size.

Let's move on to a review of the most popular methods that you can try at home.

How to stretch leather shoes at home

Do not rush to stretch your leather shoes, even if you are sure that they are too small. Shoes made of genuine leather tend to stretch over time, taking on the shape of the foot. And by stretching it, you risk getting a pair that doesn’t fit again, only now it will be too big, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

There are many ways to stretch your shoes at home. Here are the most popular ones:

"Army" way . In this case, stretching of leather shoes is done using water. To do this, you need to take thick wool or cotton socks, wet them thoroughly, wring them out (until they become damp) and put them on under leather shoes that need stretching. You will have to walk in your treasured pair of shoes until your socks are dry (or until you get tired of it). After this, the shoes should be filled with newspapers and placed in a dry place. There is an even more extreme method of stretching leather shoes with water, which was once popular in the US army. You need to take a shower directly in your shoes, and preferably a hot one. Of course, the shoes will stretch, but you might as well risk ruining your brand new leather pair.
Stretching shoes with a “stretcher” . In shoe stores you can often find a shoe stretching agent. It looks like a foaming spray that needs to be sprayed in the place where the shoes are tight. After this, you need to walk around in your shoes for a while until the chemicals take effect and soften the skin. But this method also has risks: the leather may change color, and light-colored shoes are at particular risk. Therefore, before buying a “stretcher”, check its effect on the tongue of the shoe or other inconspicuous place. Alcohol has a similar effect on shoes, so it can also stretch leather shoes.
A method for those who like “cold things” is stretching shoes with ice. To do this, you need to stuff a bag of water into your shoes, and then place this structure in the freezer. The main thing in this case is not to make a mistake with the package: under no circumstances should there be holes in it. And after you remove the shoes from the freezer, let the ice thaw. The method is a little strange, but it really works.

And remember: it doesn’t matter whether you stretched leather shoes in a workshop or at home - treat your pair of shoes with special care products. This way the procedure will not harm the skin. Good luck!

We stretch our shoes ourselves

There are two ways to stretch your shoes at home: walking around the house in new shoes or using a variety of fillers. Both groups have their advantages and disadvantages.

Naturally, you can wear out your new shoes yourself, walking in them from the kitchen to the living room. The desired effect will occur in one to two days; it can be strengthened if you wear a new thing, for example, on a thick woolen sock.

But what if, after a day of such walks, you can no longer wear even the shoes in which you previously felt comfortable? Don’t turn your new shoes into a “weapon of the Inquisition” and be attentive to your feelings. If even short-term wearing or trying on causes pain, it is better to abandon this method.

Fillings such as newspapers and old rags can help make narrow shoes more comfortable. The main difficulty with this method is maintaining the correct shape of the product. The filler should be evenly distributed inside the shoe and compacted. It should be borne in mind that this method will take more than one day, and may require repetition.

How to make felt boots a size larger?

Five ways to stretch felt boots

Take two thick plastic bags and fill them no more than halfway with water. ...
Place the pair in a container of hot water for three to four hours, then squeeze it out lightly and put special plastic shoe lasts of the desired size inside.

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Effective special products

Based on demand studies, several of the most popular shoe stretches have been identified.

Product name	Manufacturer	Purpose
Salamander	Germany	For all materials, with the exception of varnished surfaces
Twist	Russia	Suede, genuine leather, velor
Kiwi	Australia	Genuine leather, suede
Stretcher	Germany	Genuine leather and its substitutes
Torrago	Spain	Leather, suede

When using a break-in agent, simply apply it to a piece of fabric and work it inside the boots. Spray the spray into your shoes, put on thick socks, then shoes and walk for half an hour.

How to stretch Martins in length?

What's the secret to stretching martins quickly?

Wear thick socks
Wear two pairs of socks
Take short walks around the house in new Dr. boots. ...
Give your feet a rest!
Gradually begin short walks outside
Place pads in areas that may chafe
Take your docs for walks more often

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When can you stretch your boot top?

An incorrectly selected pair of shoes puts pressure on the shin, which causes not the most pleasant sensations. The material may fit too tightly to the leg and squeeze the blood vessels, which will lead to health complications. If the boot does not fasten by a few centimeters, the situation can be corrected. Genuine leather has good elasticity and strength, which will allow you to alter the boots in a specialized studio or expand the volume yourself.
Almost every product can be slightly transformed, even shoes. If the zipper of your boot does not reach the end by a few centimeters, you can correct the situation and enjoy a new pair. If the zipper only reaches the middle of the shin, and the length of the product reaches the kneecap, it is better to refuse the purchase. Any methods in such a situation will be useless. Attempts will lead to damage to shoes and wasted money.

Popular methods

Chemicals do not always give positive results. It is advisable to try traditional methods first. They use: vodka, vinegar, wet paper, etc. It is worth considering the most popular actions:

Freezing. You will need 2 packaging bags that are filled with water. Tightly tied bags are placed in shoes and frozen. At sub-zero temperatures, ice forms, which bursts the walls of the product. Care must be taken not to tear the material, especially synthetics.
Vinegar. The essence should be diluted with water 1:2 and treated inside. Then put on your shoes and walk for 1 hour. The smell of vinegar can be easily removed by ventilating in fresh air.
Vodka. Lubricate the inside of the shoes generously with alcohol liquid or put on footwear soaked in vodka. Spread by vigorous walking around the room for at least 40 minutes.
Newspapers. You need to wet the crumpled newspapers and stuff them tightly inside. The result will be in 2-3 hours. If the shoes are not dry, you should add dry paper. The breaking-in procedure can be repeated again.

What not to do

If you want to trample your shoes at any cost, you can cause irreparable harm to them.

Do not heat products with plastic decor. At high temperatures they will simply melt;
You shouldn’t immediately use chemicals if your new boots are too small – it’s better to wear them with thick socks. After 2 days the leg will be freer.
It is prohibited to dry boots on an electric fireplace or radiator.

The main task is to stretch leather shoes gradually. You shouldn't torture your feet all day, otherwise you'll get bloody calluses on your heels or toes.

Important! To stretch winter boots with fur inside, do not use aggressive aerosols or impregnations. Fur will absorb chemicals faster than nubuck or leather.

You should also avoid forcefully stretching with your hands, pushing in steel spacers, etc. The material will most likely tear at the seams or where parts are glued together.