Cobbler Question

[cottontop]

I am wondering if any of the cobblers on the forum have some experience in stretching leather shoes. My question is how much can a shoe be stretched? Can a shoe be stretched one full size larger?

Joe

[Mablung]

To truly change the size, I think you’d need to be able to change the overall length of the sole as well. 

[ljk]

Being a amateur shoemaker I had access to a last.  Had foot surgery, slow healing I'm 80.  Modify last.   Soak shoe in water overnight, wipe off excess water.  Wrap last in plastic wrap, apply talc, install into last, may take a few hit's with mallet.  Let sit for week. The darker boot was elk I veg tanned. The other Horween horse.  You can also do this with the right shoe tree

 

[cottontop]

Mablung, I think you are right, however, I also think it depends on the style of shoe and how much you want to increase the size. I think trying to go up a full size would be stretching things (pun intended), but it might be possible to get close to that. I haven't received the shoes in question, but they should be here is a few days. I bought them off an auction site because they were a pretty expensive shoe for about a third of the original price. They are close to my size so I thought I would take a chance. If they don't fit or if they can't be made to fit I will donate them to the town blessing box. I have been able to slightly increase the size (up to 1/2 size larger) of tight fitting shoes by spraying them with "Foot Matters Shoe Stretch" and then inserting a wooden shoe stretching block and letting them set for 24 hours or so. The sole didn't seem to be affected at all. But, if these shoes are too tight, I plan to take them to the local cobbler to see what he can make of them. If it can't be done, I will not lose much; if it can be done I will gain a lot. Will let you now how it works out.

Joe

Edited July 16 by cottontop

[Tastech]

When it comes to stretching a shoe the are a few factors to consider.  The material the shoe is made from , the construction of the shoe , where the stretching needs to take place and how much stretching is needed .

 In the case of EU sizes the difference between size length is about 9-10 mm  per number . difference between widths is about 6 mm per letter . Stretching the width is relatively easy for 90% of shoes up to 2 letter sizes . Example a E width can be stretched to a EEE . When it comes to length only one size bigger can be reasonably be expected. Things like work boots and hiking boots don't respond well to a length stretch  and only one size in width is possible .  The ideal candidate for a length and width stretch is a full leather upper and lining with a goodyear welted leather sole . Depending on how much stretching is needed will determine the amount of stretching fluid needed . Stretching fluid or spray is no closely guarded secret . Make your own with 10% methelated spirit and 90% water . The metho and water mix . the metho penetrates the waxes, oils and polishes and drags the water in with it which allows the shoe to stretch . This is sprayed onto the shoe both inside and out and  in the area to be stretched and let to sit for a while and then repeated . the shoe is placed in a stretcher and cranked up a little over the desired outcome .  It is left to dry for a couple of days and then tried on to see where you are at and tweeked if necessary .  In extreme cases ,and depending on the shoe you can fill up the shoe with hot water and let it sit for a couple of mins . Empty and towel any loose water and stretch from there .  I use both commercial stretcher and the domestic ones depending on the shoe . There is also a funny tool called a bunion stretcher that i use for older people who have a localized bone growth that needs some room . I also have a calf stretcher that does the calves of boots .

Below are some photos of the commercial stretcher that i use . These can be cranked to the extreme . Most cobblers will have one . 

By cranking the back handle it increases length  by cranking the front handle it increases the front width

@cottontop post some clear photos of the shoe and sole and any info you might think will be helpful and i can advise on a plan of action and reasonable expectations 

[cottontop]

Tastech, will post some photos after the shoes arrive. Thanks for your comments.

Joe

[cottontop]

I took the shoes to the local cobbler and a week later I got them back. They were stretched out some, but still too small. I was afraid of that. Lesson learned. I will pay more attention to sizes; i.e., EU to U.S., men's to women's, etc. from now on. I'm sending them to my daughter in Florida. Being that the shoes are unisex, they should work for her. If she doesn't want them, they will go to the blessing box.

[Tastech]

@cottontop We spend about half our life in shoes and a third in bed , therefore it is important to have good quality of both regardless of price . When it comes to shoes . fit is king . The perfect shoe  differs from person to person. The only way to get a feel for the fit is to try them on . Buying shoes online not knowing if they will fit is a waste of time and money . For the price of 2 or 3 cheap shoes you can buy a good quality pair that fit and will outlast the 3 cheap ones 5 fold or more . From my experience everybody's favorite pair has one thing in common and that is fit and comfort . Try before you buy . You can over spend on a pair of crappy shoes and you can find really good ones at a reasonable price . Fit should be your criteria not price , not style and not color . know your length size ( Number)  and very importantly your width (letter)   In every country . Full leather upper and lining is best . Avoid polyurethane soles , and don't buy shoes online unless it is a make ,style and size you are familiar with .

[cottontop]

5 hours ago, Tastech said:

@cottontop We spend about half our life in shoes and a third in bed , therefore it is important to have good quality of both regardless of price . When it comes to shoes . fit is king . The perfect shoe  differs from person to person. The only way to get a feel for the fit is to try them on . Buying shoes online not knowing if they will fit is a waste of time and money . For the price of 2 or 3 cheap shoes you can buy a good quality pair that fit and will outlast the 3 cheap ones 5 fold or more . From my experience everybody's favorite pair has one thing in common and that is fit and comfort . Try before you buy . You can over spend on a pair of crappy shoes and you can find really good ones at a reasonable price . Fit should be your criteria not price , not style and not color . know your length size ( Number)  and very importantly your width (letter)   In every country . Full leather upper and lining is best . Avoid polyurethane soles , and don't buy shoes online unless it is a make ,style and size you are familiar with .

I agree with much of what you said, however, I will have to respectfully disagree about buying (shoes and boots included) on line. If people did not buy on line (shoes and boots included) then this very forum would suffer and might even cease to exist. I would love to be able to visit various stores in person and shop for shoes and other things, but from where I live, in the middle of the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee in the USA, I am many miles from good stores that have any kind of expansive ( yes, expansive, not expensive) inventory of decent shoes and boots in stock. That leaves on line shopping as my main option and i feel that on line shopping is a real blessing. I have bought lots of shoes and boots on line and this is the first time I bought shoes that did not fit, but I knew going in that these might not fit so I took a chance anyway. BTW, I just found a pair exactly like the ones that caused me to initiate this thread in a size and a half larger that will work so I ordered those. Anyway, thanks for your comments, they are appreciated.