It can be difficult to find footwear that fits perfectly. The reality is that many people end up with shoes that are just slightly too narrow causing their toes to feel slightly pinched. Fortunately for you, if the problem is small—less than a half inch—it is possible to stretch your shoes for a better fit.

Keep in mind that these techniques usually work better on shoes made from natural materials such as canvas and leather. However, shoes made out of synthetic materials tend to return to their original size once stretched. If your shoes are very small, then replacement is usually the best option.

Reasons to Stretch Your Footwear

Every shoe fits uniquely, and you can stretch them making the experience better, regardless of what the shoe is made out of. Wearing ill fitting shoes can be uncomfortable leading to problems with your posture and other body issues too. They also have the potential to cause injury, and therefore need to fit properly.

Some shoes that do just fine for you in the store may become uncomfortably tight when you have them at home for a while. That is often because your feet change in size during the day. Shoes that may seem perfect one day towards the end of the day they may feel constricted. This occurs as daily activities change your foot width. Water retention also varies, and can influence fit.

If you don’t know why you’re having such a hard time with shoes that seem too small, there’s a quick method to figure out their size. Check the toe area: The end of the shoe should leave about ¾ inch of space between your big toe and the end of it. A quick method, this can let you know if any tightness is serving as a sign of the wrong sizing.

Sliding a finger between the back of your shoe and your heel is a way to see if your shoes fit around your heel. It should fit easily under your finger. If you have trouble sliding your finger in, chances are your shoes are too tight.

Width can be trickier, but as important. Feeling discomfort on the sides or feeling pinching where you normally wear shoes is a sign these are too narrow.

Not only does proper fit help add to your comfort, it can also have a tremendous bearing on your overall foot health. Sometimes stretching helps to maintain the usability of your favorite footwear and not have to sacrifice comfort.

Increase Comfort with Heat

Use a blow dryer and very thick socks to make tight leather shoes expand. Then put on the thick socks and blow dryer the tight areas inside your shoes. Gentle heat will soften the leather just enough to give you a comfortable fit, taking a few minutes on medium heat. Make certain that the dryer’s nozzle is moving to protect the leather from heat damage.

Once stretched, furnish a leather conditioner to hold on to the material and its quality.

Use Ice To Expand Your Footwear

If one wants to stretch tight shoes effectively you can try applying ice. Put water in a resealable bag and not quite full and place in snug area of shoe. Put the shoe in the freezer, and as the water gets cold it will freeze and expand, loosening the fit and making for a nicer fit.

Consider Purchasing a Shoe Stretcher

If you typically feel uncomfortable because of tight shoes, then it's a wise idea to buy a shoe stretcher. Designed to both lengthen and widthen the width of your footwear, these devices. You’ll also find special options for particular requirements, for instance to extend the calf area of a boot or accommodate high heels.

If you need to modify a part of a shoe and a shoe stretcher is what you use to do it, you need to begin by putting a shoe stretching solution on the spots you want to change. The spray relaxes these materials, thus facilitating better expansion. Place the stretcher into the shoe making it snug against the toe box. Using your hand to gradually turn the handle wait until you feel the shoe begin to stretch, slide back into the handle, then leave for about six to eight hours. Sometimes even after this time you try the shoe on. Make sure the handle is still tight and adjust it and reapply until it feels right. It may take a couple of repetitions over a few days to get the right size.

Many stretchers have small plugs as extra space if you have targeted areas that need extra space. They also can be placed to fill in gaps, so-called pressure points, including bunions.

Use Them Indoors

A budget effective and effective way to help your new shoes adjust to your feet is to wear them at home. Put them on for short periods each day and start. The gradual approach will also loosen the materials and makes the shoes easier to wear longer. Also, it aids in further stretching as you frequently slip it on and off and has a tailored fit without rushing the process.

Consider Wearing Multiple Pairs of Socks

If you’re accustomed to wearing no socks or thin socks, try thicker ones to adjust tight shoes. If you already wear socks, try adding two or three pairs. What is more, this technique would help you to stretch your shoes quickly while you're moving around at home comfortably.

Apply a Shoe Stretch Spray

Specialized sprays are available to relax the material so that shoes can be made easier to wear. Using the spray you just applied, it’s that simple: spray on the parts of your shoes that feel tight. After you have worn the shoes, you can also wear a shoe stretcher for added stretching effect.

Fill Them

Leave your shoes full of newspaper or rags overnight. This can be improved by using stretch spray with this method. Effective stuffing? Also balled up socks work.

Take Them to the Pros

If you have high end or sentimental footwear we recommend to take assistance form a professional shoe repair service. You can rest assured, they have all the expertise to ensure they fit your shoes correctly.

How to Stretch Various Materials

Understanding the material of your shoes is crucial for proper stretching techniques:

Leather: Using a leather conditioner is the best method to stretch leather without harming it. It helps to flex the material rather than tear it apart. As another option, some suggest using a diluted rubbing alcohol solution (50% alcohol and 50% water) instead of stretching spray. First, always test it in a small, hidden area to see if it'll discolor.

Canvas/Fabric: It's typically easier to break in canvas and fabric shoes. Since these materials are softer than leather, you don't have to worry about damaging your craft, using standard methods listed above for stretching should not be an issue.

Suede/Nubuck: When working with suede or nubuck, avoid water. It can lead to irreversible harm caused by moisture. Stick to dry techniques of stretching. The best results and no mishaps suggest you get professional help when stretching these materials.

Faux Leather/Vinyl: The construction of these materials make them less flexible when it comes to stretching them. Faux leather or vinyl rarely stretches well, as they tend to not expand, if you are trying to stretch faux leather or vinyl. These types of shoes are best left to stretch options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stretch my new shoes?

Yes, you can expand your shoes by half or the full size using some stretching techniques.

How long does the stretching process take?

In general, most shoes take between 24 and 48 hours to properly stretch depending on the shoe’s material and style.

Is it possible to stretch them overnight?

There are certain shoes that can be stretched overnight using some method.