How to stretch new shoes
If you’ve ever bought shoes that are too small, you probably didn’t wear them long before you started wondering if they could be made longer. While you can’t go more than a quarter to half of your shoes, if you just need a little extra room, you may be able to stretch the material enough to fit comfortably.
Use shoes to stretch them
Wear your shoes at home for an hour at a time.
One of the easiest ways to stretch your shoes is to simply put them on. Try wearing them for about an hour at a time, but if you can’t wear them that long at first, that’s okay. If you like, you can add a pair of thick socks to cushion your feet and stretch your shoes even further.
- This technique works on almost any type of shoe, but it’s best if the shoes are a little too tight.
- Remember, if your shoes pinch or rub your feet, you can get blisters if you’re not wearing socks!
- As your shoes get longer, gradually increase the amount of time you wear them. Once they’re comfortable enough to wear for several hours at a time, they’re ready to leave the house!
Wear thick socks and heat your shoes with a hair dryer so they stretch quickly
Put on thick cotton socks and then put your feet in shoes. Set the hair dryer to medium heat and blow each shoe for about 30 seconds while moving the nozzle. As the shoe heats up, wiggle your toes and flex your foot to stretch the shoe. Then continue wearing your shoes as they cool.
- The heat softens the shoe, making it mold to your foot. If necessary, reheat the shoes after they have completely cooled down.
- Heat can soften the glue used in some shoes, causing the uppers to separate from the soles, so don’t leave the blow dryer in one spot for too long. Do not heat plastic or PVC shoes – they do not stretch and can release toxic fumes into the air.
Spray the shoes with rubbing alcohol for a custom fit.
Put on the shoes you want to stretch, then fill a spray bottle with denatured alcohol and saturate the outside of the shoes. Put your shoes on while the alcohol dries and they should stretch to fit the shape of your foot.
- You can also soak a thick pair of socks in rubbing alcohol, put on the socks and shoes, and wear them until the alcohol has evaporated.
- This is a great alternative to canvas or trainers. However, it may not work as well with shoes made from stiff materials.
- Since the alcohol dries quickly, it shouldn’t damage the shoe. However, it’s best to test the alcohol in an inconspicuous area first if your shoes are made of a material that won’t get wet, such as leather or suede.
Try a shoe-stretching spray if you wear leather shoes
If you want to stretch your leather shoes, put them on and spray the leather according to the directions on the package. Put the shoe on when the spray dries and the leather stretches around the foot.
Shoe stretching sprays are made to loosen the fibers in the leather, allowing the upper material of the shoe to stretch a bit. They can work on suede as well, but read the product label carefully.
Shoe padding
Use the shoe trees to gradually expand the leather shoes
A shoe tree is a device made to wedge itself into a shoe. They usually have a knob or handle that you turn to gradually expand and lengthen the shoe tree. Over time, this helps the shoe relax and expand, shrinking them by half their size.
- You can purchase a shoe tree at most high-end shoe stores.
- Try this in combination with a shoe stretching spray for best results. Wet the shoes with the spray and place the shoe tree. Repeat as needed until the shoes are the size you need.
Roll up your socks and tuck them into the toes of your shoes to stretch them
Take a sock and roll it tightly from the toes up, then stick it to the toe of the shoe. Continue until you have completely filled both shoes with as many socks as you can fit. Then store your shoes overnight or until you’re ready to wear them again.
- While this method may not work as quickly as using heat, alcohol, or ice, it will gently stretch your shoes over time, making it an ideal option for leather, vintage, or otherwise delicate shoes.
- This may not work as well for shoes with stiff uppers, such as dress shoes. Additionally, shoes made with a stretchy material such as mesh may require direct heat or a method that saturates the shoe to stretch the fibers.
Put a wet newspaper in your shoes for more elasticity
Moisten a few sheets of newspaper, roll them up and tuck them into the toe of your shoe. Keep adding balls of wet newspaper until the shoe is full. As the paper dries, it expands and hardens, stretching the shoe.
- Because this technique shapes the shoe as it stretches, it positions the paper to hold the shape of the shoe.
- Do not saturate the paper as this may damage the inside of the shoe. Don’t use this technique on leather shoes either.
Stretch your shoe with wet oats, cereal or rice for an old-fashioned approach
Fill a plastic bag with oatmeal, rice, or another grain that swells when wet. Add just enough water to cover the granules, close the bag and place inside the shoe, pushing it down into the toe. Leave the bag in place overnight, remove it and try your shoes on! As the oat expands, the pressure helps stretch the shoe material.
