Stretching tight shoes

[TomBanwell]

I know this was discussed several months back but I can't find it in the archives. How do you stretch a pair of shoes that are a wee bit too small? I think the leather is calfskin--it's very soft. Just soak them in water and wear them till they're dry? Or is there something else I can soak them in to loosen them up more?

[barra]

You can also try packing them tight with wet paper. Not newsprint because of the ink.

Barra

[celticleather]

Try here . . . http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/4798.html

The old ways are often the best!

[TwinOaks]

My method is a bit strenuous, but here goes: Place shoes/boots in water, then fill with water. Once the leather is good and wet, don the shoes and go play backyard redneck football in them. It's best to use the double sock method preferred by hikers to avoid blisters. Once the game is over, your footwear should be thouroughly stretched. Clean and condition afterward.

Method 2: Only dampen the leather, then beat the hell out of them with a ballpeen hammer. ( It is strongly suggested to remove the foot from the shoe before using this method.) It helps break down the fibers of the leather, and they should be worn until dry immediately afterward.

[paris3200]

At work we actually have a device that goes inside the boots to stretch them. It's shaped like a foot and expands as you turn the handle. Depending on the type of leather we leave it in for either a few hours or overnight. You might consider taking them back to where you got them or a boot shop and see if they will stretch them. Otherwise I would just soak them and wear them dry.

[whinewine]

I believe there was a post on this site, a while back... it concerned filling the boots/shoes with WARM, not hot water. After the shoes/boots were thoroghly wet, dump out & wear them until they were form-fit & reasonably dry, then condition. But I can't find the original post either. If anyone finds it, please let us know or re-post. I've got a pair of boots that need to be fit this way. Thanks.

russ

[Windy]

My my my I would use the old hillbilly method.

Fill a freezer baggie with water so that is just fits

tight in your shoe. Then stick the shoe in the

freezer when the water freezes it will stretch the

shoe.

WINDY

[TomBanwell]

My my my I would use the old hillbilly method.

Fill a freezer baggie with water so that is just fits

tight in your shoe. Then stick the shoe in the

freezer when the water freezes it will stretch the

shoe.

WINDY

Well, that's a new one on me, but it does make sense. Thanks!