If your new shoes are feeling a little too snug, try these methods to stretch them out without having to resort to breaking them in painfully.
Wear Your Shoes Around the House in One-Hour Intervals
One of the simplest ways to stretch your shoes is to, well, wear them. Try wearing them for about an hour at a time and walking around the house. If you’d like, you can also wear thick socks to pad your feet and help stretch the shoes even further.
This method works for most types of shoes, but it’s best for those that are only slightly tight. It’s recommended to wear socks with this method, as going barefoot may cause blisters. As the shoes stretch, gradually increase the wear time for optimal results.
Use Alcohol Spray
Mix equal parts alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Spritz the inside of each shoe and then wear them for about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can apply alcohol directly to the areas of the shoe that need stretching, and then quickly put them on while they’re still wet, as alcohol dries quickly. Another method is to soak a pair of thick socks in alcohol, wring them out, put them on, and then put on your shoes until the alcohol dries. Repeat as needed.
Wear Thick Socks and Use a Hair Dryer to Stretch Your Shoes
Put on a pair of thick cotton socks, then slip into your shoes. Set your hairdryer to a moderate temperature and blow hot air into each shoe for about 30 seconds. As the shoes heat up, flex your feet as much as possible to help stretch them. The heat will soften the shoes, allowing them to conform to your feet. Then, wear the shoes until they cool down. If needed, repeat the process after the shoes have completely cooled.
Note that the high temperature from the hairdryer can soften the glue in the shoes, potentially causing the sole to separate from the upper. Therefore, don’t hold the hairdryer in one place for too long. Also, do not use this method with plastic or PVC shoes, as it will release toxic fumes. If your shoes are made of leather or suede, apply a leather conditioner after stretching.
Stretch Your Shoes with Potatoes
Carve a potato into a shape that resembles the toe of your shoe (the part that holds your toes). Dry the potato with a paper towel, then insert it into the shoe and leave it overnight. This is a simple, at-home method to stretch your shoes.
Freeze Your Shoes for a Stretch
Fill two ziplock bags about one-third to half full with water, seal them tightly, and then place them into your shoes. Try to position the bags near the areas that feel the tightest. Next, place the shoes in the freezer and leave them overnight. As the water freezes, it will expand and create a stretch in your shoes.
After removing the shoes from the freezer, let them thaw at room temperature for 15-30 minutes, and then take out the ziplock bags. Don’t let the ice melt completely inside the shoes, as any leaks in the bags could damage them.
Note: Do not use this method with leather shoes.
Stuff Your Shoes with Wet Newspaper
Dampen a few sheets of newspaper, roll them up tightly, and stuff them into your shoes, starting from the toes and working your way back. As the paper dries, it will expand, stretching your shoes.
Since this method will shape the shoes as they stretch, be sure to arrange the paper in a way that maintains the desired shape of the shoe. Also, do not use wet paper with this method, as it could damage the shoes. Do not use this method with leather shoes, either.
Stretch Your Shoes with Oats
Fill a ziplock bag with oats and then pour in enough water to cover the oats. Then, seal the bag tightly and place it into your shoes, trying to get it as far into the toe area as possible. Leave the bag in your shoes overnight, and then remove it. As the oats expand, they will create pressure that helps stretch your shoes.
By Trang Vy (Adapted from wikiHow)
Easy Ways to Stretch Out Tight Shoes
Stretch Out Tight Shoes’>Shopping for shoes has evolved, with the introduction of online ordering and purchasing shoes without trying them on. But what happens if the shoes don’t fit when they arrive?
Ultimate tips for incredibly comfortable and pain-free shoe experience
There is nothing more perfect than taking a pair of new shoes out of the box and wearing them to a joyful event. However, sometimes those beautiful moments are shattered, and wearing an ideal pair of shoes turns out to be uncomfortable like walking barefoot on cobblestone.
