Have you recently bought a new pair of boots but they’re giving you blisters? Or are those new sneakers a size too small? If you can’t return them, the best solution is to stretch them.
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Whether you’re in a rush and need your leather shoes to be comfortable enough for an upcoming event or if the priority is to stretch them with the least amount of damage, we’ve rounded up five of the best solutions.
Natural ways to stretch your leather shoes
- It’s the oldest trick in the book. Put on a pair of thick fluffy socks and wear your new loafers around the house. It’s a practical and safe way to stretch them to the mould of your foot, and avoid overstretching them completely.
- Newspaper can be used beyond making pots for your garden. Grab a few sheets of an old paper you have lying around the house, lightly wet them and start stuffing them into the soles of your shoes. Leave them in overnight, and take them out the next morning. The dampness should help stretch the leather and make it supple.
Get some help from a store-bought product
- If you don’t want to risk wearing them out, opt for a shoe stretcher. Place the stretcher carefully inside the shoe and turn the knob. Remember to start off small and gradually increase the stretch as you go.
- You’ll be surprised to know that there’s a spray specifically designed to help stretch leather at their pinching and painful spots. Before wearing your shoes out, liberally spray the inside of the shoe with your chosen spray.
Trust an expert
- Nothing beats the advice of an expert. If you’re worried about damaging your new designer pumps, take them to your local cobbler.
It’s to be noted that shoes do naturally stretch over time. Obviously, with one wear they won’t stretch drastically but you’ll notice that after a few weeks, there will be some creasing and the shoes may have stretched by half a size.
Also, you might find that for some types of leather, whether it’s patent or croc it may be more difficult to stretch than the softer and buttery lambskin, calfskin or goatskin. In addition, certain delicate or exotic leathers may require special care so it’s best to double-check with the store you purchased your shoes from.
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