How to stretch shoes? Top 10 tips for a perfect fit!

Last year, I went to a shoe shop called ‘Sam’s Super Soles’ to buy a new pair of shoes to wear at my friend, Ken’s wedding. I was too excited to get those leather shoes; But, who knew that excitement would turn into miserable pain and unexpected blisters on my soles and ankles?

Reason? Those shoes were tight for me. I just wanted to take them off and walk barefoot to avoid the pain in my toes and ankles.

Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, anyone can stumble upon such problems.

However, it’s best to not get tense in such situations. In most cases, all you have to do is make those shoes comfortable and perfectly fit before you wear them.

In this article, I have covered some super-useful hacks and tips to loosen those sturdy shoes so you can comfortably wear them. Keep reading for more details!

Why do you need to stretch shoes?

Let us dig into why you may need to stretch your shoes.

• Wrong size: While you can always consider returning or replacing your smaller shoes, sometimes you may not find the perfect size in the market—especially when converting between UK, EU, and US sizes. This is where it can be useful to stretch your shoes a little.

• Breaking into new shoes: New shoes need extra time and effort to mold into your foot shape. e.g. soccer cleats. The process can be long and tricky, but the right breaking-in techniques can do the trick for you.

• Feet swelling: Our feet may sometimes swell due to physical conditions. In such cases, our properly fitting shoes may also not fit us.

• Relief from blisters: Extra-tight shoes can cause blisters, corn, calluses, itching, and scratches on the ankles and soles. Stretched shoes add space around our toenails and soles to avoid these injuries.

Ingrown toenails: Kids who regularly wear shoes with tight toe boxes have pressure on the corners of their toenails. In severe cases, their toenails curl into the skin causing improper development of toes or hallux valgus. It can be avoided by regularly stretching their shoes and ensuring.

Top 10 ways to stretch shoes

Stretching shoes feels like a small science experiment to me! 

I KNOW, YOU WOULD FEEL MARTY’S TOO FUNNY! 

But, TBH- being a sneakerhead, it really is a LIT experiment to find new methods to stretch those kicks for a comfortable fit.

Let’s discuss some of the cool ways that I always follow to stretch my shoes:

1. Wear them and walk indoors

I call this way- ‘A trial method!’

INTERESTING! RIGHT?

• Wear socks with your new shoes. Walk around your house while wearing them for the first five to six days. 
• Soon, your shoes will stretch out according to your feet’s shape and become ready to wear outside!

Secret Tip: Walk on carpets and rugs to avoid scratches on your new shoes. This helps me to keep my kicks new-looking and I can return them if they don’t stretch out, especially leather ones!

2. Blend of socks stuffing and blow dryer

If the above method doesn’t work, you can try this for an extra stretch:

• Wear a pair of thick socks and tie up your shoes.
• Turn on the blow-dryer and hold it on your shoes for 30 seconds, especially in tight zones.
• Heat loosens the shoe material and stretches it to mold according to your shoe shape. Thick socks create extra space around the toes, ankles, and midsoles.

PRO-TIP: For leather, suede, nubuck, or faux leather shoes, you can use a blow-dryer at low or medium heat to prevent burn to their uppers.

3. Freeze them up!

This is my favorite method for canvas, sneakers, and other similar shoes. 

The freezing method:

• Fill the ziplock bag with water and seal it.
• Put this bag inside the shoe.
• Leave the shoe in the freezer overnight.
• Remove it from the freezer on the next day.
• Thaw that frozen shoe before trying it on.
• During the freezing process, the water in the zip-lock bag expands by about 9% in volume, making your shoe stretch!

Here’s a video to demonstrate this process:

REMEMBER: DO NOT use this method for shoes prohibited from getting wet. E.g. Premium leather shoes may crack, create creases, or ruin due to this method.

4. Use a shoe stretcher

Shoe stretchers are designed strategically to widen and lengthen a shoe overnight for a perfect snug. I prefer using the HOUNDSBAY Bulldog Premium Wooden Shoe Stretcher for stretching most of my shoes. Their ergonomic build-up perfectly stretches the shoe without compromising its shape. I have used this stretcher to stretch shoes for my nephew and younger one- the results were phenomenal! It took a few hours of stretching for my nephew to walk comfortably in his new trainers that had been biting his feet for the past two days.

How to use shoe stretchers?

• Slide the shoe stretcher into your shoe.
• Depending on the type, you can adjust the width or length.
• You can leave it overnight for a perfect stretch! 

For special foot conditions:

My childhood friend, Justin had a Bunion. His podiatrist advised Bunion shoe stretchers to him for comfortable shoe fitting. 

His foot pain was reduced and walking was balanced after stretching his shoes using these tools. Similarly, you can use cause-specific shoe stretchers for other deformities like wide feet, high arches, hammertoes, etc.

How to use a Bunion shoe stretcher?

Bunion shoe stretchers usually have a cast iron ball and a ring. Follow these steps to use them:

• Apply suitable shoe stretch spray on the shoes.
• Insert the ball of the stretcher into the shoe and hold the ring end in your hand.
• Gently squeeze the handles to bring the ball and ring together.
• You’ll need to squeeze gently for lighter stretch and vice versa.
• As both handles align, put the first rod into the divot of the other rod.
• Spin the locking wheel and keep your setup of bunion stretcher attached to the shoe for 6 to 8 hours for effective stretching.

Check out this video to see them in action:

5. Adjustable shoe trees

These tiny tools can expand the length and width of a shoe. It helps to create ample space in the toe box. Made from hardwood or durable stainless steel, the shoe trees can stretch shoes within a few hours. 

Four-way adjustable shoe trees are more efficient and reliable than two-way ones! You can also retain the actual shape of the shoe when it is not in use for a longer time using this tool.

Steps to use shoe trees:

• Insert the adjustable shoe tree into your shoe.
• Turn its handle every 8 to 12 hours until you get the desired stretch for your shoe.

6. Seek help from professionals

Sometimes, it’s best to let the experts handle it! 

Many cobblers have special tools to stretch the shoes. Their expertise helps us to stretch our kicks for a comfy feel in minutes. They have special stretch sprays (mainly made from isopropyl alcohol, water, and glycerine). 

And, luckily you can use them on leather shoes too! Cobblers use shoe sprays with stretchers or adjustable shoe trees for custom stretch.

Here’s how an expert can safely stretch your shoes:

7. Using rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can do the trick by stretching shoes for a better fit.

Rubbing alcohol method

• Mix water and rubbing alcohol in equal parts.
• Spray this alcohol inside the shoe. 
• Leave them to moisten for 20-30 minutes.
• Put the shoes on when the rubbing alcohol is sprayed on them.
• This helps damp shoe material to stretch and gain the shape of your feet for a perfect snug.

Pro Tip: Spray a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a small area of your shoe to test it. Check if the shoe material color changes. If yes, do not use such alcohol.

Also, never submerge your whole shoe into rubbing alcohol. However, you can directly rub 2-3 drops of rubbing alcohol on some tight areas of shoes for effective stretching results.

DO NOT use this method for shoes that are not recommended to be washed. E.g. Leather shoes may crack, create creases, or ruin due to freezing and thawing cycles.

8. Use a peeled potato

This might sound weird, but it truly works. YES, a peeled potato can stretch your shoes!

How to use the Potato method?

• Peel a potato and wrap it in a paper towel.
• Insert it into the shoe and push it slightly to get that perfect snug.
• Leave it overnight, remove it, and wear the shoe.

Here’s a tutorial video for quick results:

9. Try shoe stretching sprays

When on the go, I often use shoe sprays to quickly stretch a pair of shoes for a better fit.

These sprays can penetrate the shoe’s outer material, relax its fibers, and soften it. 

Using shoe stretching spray:

• Hold the spray bottle a foot away from the shoe.
• Spray the solution on the outer material if you have leather shoes.
• You can spray it inside too for non-leather shoes.
• Let the spray settle to moisten the shoes.
• Wear them when moistened and walk until they become dry.

10. Use a spoon

Using a spoon can create space around a tight box or heel! Its ergonomic shape helps to stretch the shoe without damaging its interiors! 

How to do it?

1. Dampen the tight areas of the shoe using a wet cloth or water spray.
2. Blow dry the damp areas at low heat. This helps to soften the material and makes it more pliable, especially leather.
3. Gently insert the head of the spoon in the shoe, apply pressure on the tight areas, and push them forward for a stretch.
4. Wear thick socks and put these shoes on. Walk around the house for a few minutes so that they get stretched perfectly.

4 tips for choosing shoes for stretching

They say, ‘Prevention is better than cure!’

Using the right methods to stretch specific materials of shoes may help. But, choosing the right shoes for stretching can reduce your efforts.  

Here are some quick tips for selecting stretch-friendly shoes:

Look for shoes with stretchable materials

Select shoes made of soft and flexible materials like leather, rubber, mesh fabric, stretchable lycra, canvas, etc.

Go for stretch features

Many shoe manufacturers provide built-in stretch features, like adjustable straps, seamless spandex, open cell foam at the shoe’s tongue and collars, elastic inserts, no-heel counters, etc. The availability of these features makes the stretching process easy.

Say NO to hard soles

Select shoes with softer soles like rubber, EVA-Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, TPR- Thermoplastic rubber, etc. For a more bounce and comfy experience, you can also look for shoes with colloidal latex soles like Crepe.

Avoid glued soles

Glued soles may tear apart during the stretching process. It becomes hectic to repair such broken shoes again and again. For better results:

• Always read the construction of the shoes. 
• Select sewn soles instead of glued soles.

Can I stretch all types of shoes?

Each material has a different elasticity to retain its shape and structure. Due to this, we cannot fully stretch all types of shoes. I have shared a quick overview of this below:

1. Leather

This material is soft and more pliable than other shoe materials. 

• Use a leather conditioner, shoe trees, or shoe stretcher to enlarge them slightly.
• They are more malleable when warm. Use the blow dryer trick to stretch them out!

2. Fabric

Fabric is softer than leather and easily stretchable. 

• Using a hair dryer, stuffing in the newspaper, or a shoe stretcher can help you create space around toe boxes.
• Canvas shoes are specially made from plain-woven cotton and linen, which makes them soft and stretchable.

3. Vinyl

Vinyl shoes are made from synthetic materials. They are non-stretchy and cause foot pain if you wear tight ones.

4. Suede

Soft shoe materials like suede, nubuck, etc., are made from animal hide. Ballet flats, partywear shoes, etc., have these materials. They’re more durable and need extra care to maintain their shape. 

It’s always best to use shoe spray or a stretcher for suede shoes to save them from damage while stretching.

5. Running shoes, boots, and sneakers

Most of us have this trio, right? 

Yet again, we must know the basics and can try using thick socks, the potato method, the freezing method, or a shoe stretcher to widen these shoes. 

6. Heels

Heels are the BFFS of ladies! But, they also need to get stretched for the perfect snug fit. Use the thick socks trick, iced zip-lock bag technique, or spoon and shoe spray method to extend their heel and toe area.

You can watch the following video to safely stretch your heels for the perfect fit:

Things to avoid while stretching your shoes

Once I got a pair of Canvas shoes for my college annual party. When I wore them in the shop, they were perfectly fitting. But, when I put them on the party day, I felt a little too tight. I was in awe of that situation! 

I stretched them again and again and the material started tearing and becoming loose around the edges. Unfortunately, I ruined my new canvas shoes by overstretching them.

But, I learned something from that, and sharing my insights on what to avoid in stretching your kicks, below:

1. No overstretching

Overstretching your shoes can ruin your shoes’ structure and actual shape. Understand the frequency of stretching and use the right methods to stretch them.

2. Avoid the wrong tools

Each shoe material has specific care. Similarly, you must use material-specific shoe stretching tools to prevent damage. 

E.g. Use leather shoe stretch sprays only on leather shoes. Or, Prevent water-based spray on Suede material to avoid ruining it.

3. Not breaking in

You must break in your shoes even after stretching them, especially soccer cleats. Avoiding this step may lead to foot pain, blisters, imbalance while walking, etc.

4. Avoiding the wiggle test

Avoiding the wiggle test can cause cramped feet and ankle pain. Each time you buy a new pair of shoes, you must put them on, and try to wiggle your toes while wearing them.

If your toes move freely in an appropriate tow box space, your shoe fit is right and may need less stretching in the future.

How to avoid selecting tight shoes?

I have created this checklist of things that you should pay attention to avoid choosing tight shoes for the next time:

Measure your feet regularly

Our foot length grows till the age of 20 or beyond on average. Consider below 20 age- your feet’s shape and size may change. You will need bigger shoes over time.

It’s important to check the foot size periodically to select the right shoe size. 

Buy size-adjustable shoes

This applies to teenagers or children. Using shoes with laces, straps, or buckles that can be adjusted avoids the unnecessary hassle and pain of tight shoes.

Shop in the evening

Feet swell during the day and become larger in the evening. Scientifically, the blood and body fluids accumulate towards the feet more than the top of the body on standing longer. It’s better to shop for new shoes in the evening when our feet are slightly swollen due to all day standing.

Read past customer reviews

If you buy shoes online, always read customer reviews to check if the shoes run small or large. This way you can make a more informed decision to choose the right shoe size.

Identify which shoe brands offer a good fit for you

My mom always prefers Nike shoes of size 8. She likes their shape, manufacturing, and comfort. Like her, we all have specific shoe brands we can rely on. I suggest going to a shoe shop, trying different brands of shoes, and identifying your perfect fit for comfort.

DIY hacks for stretching shoes

Many people like using unique DIY hacks for stretching shoes with minimal effort.  I am sharing some cool DIY tricks to do the same, as follows

Stuff with socks rolls:

• Take clean pairs of socks and roll them together to make a tight roll.
• Stuff them in with slight pressure and keep them overnight.
• Their firm roll easily stretches the shoes.

Stuff with newspaper:

• Slightly dampen the newspaper using water spray.
• Stuff that damp paper into the shoe tightly.
• Keep this setup overnight and remove the dried newspaper the next morning.
• The wet paper dries and expands throughout the night and stretches the shoe.

Precautions to take for stretching special shoes

You need to be extra attentive while handling some special shoes. I am sharing those essential precautions, as follows:

• Avoid excess heating to the decorative shoes having sequins, satin strips, beads, laces, or embroidery work. Seek professional help for this.

• Test stretching small areas of premium and vintage shoes to avoid damage.

Marty’s two cents

Stretching shoes is easily manageable if you know the right tricks! You can try effective methods or DIY hacks to farewell those painful walks, blisters, and discomfort. Otherwise, professional help can always save you from imperfect stretches.

Which stretching techniques do you use in your daily routine? Do let me know in the comments.

FAQs

Now, let us look at some common questions about stretching shoes.

1. How much bigger can you stretch a shoe?

We can stretch shoes to a half or one size bigger with the right methods.

2. Can you stretch shoes overnight?

Yes, it is possible to stretch shoes overnight using newspaper or sock stuffing, freezing ice bags, etc.

3. Can I use Vaseline to stretch the shoes?

You can use Vaseline to stretch your shoes. Apply Vaseline at the tight spots and stuff the roll of thick socks for 30 minutes.