Stretching shoes?

[openhelix]

Does anyone have a recommendation on the process for stretching the mid-section or toe box of a new pair of shoes? I have a pair of new Ted Bakers that are just a touch tight. Is this something I could do on my own or should I have a cobbler do it?

 

[Timmy Dee]

Get a trusted cobbler to do it. It doesn't cost much, and if it's not stretched enough when you pick them up, just get them to do it a bit more.

I don't think shoe stretching is a regular enough occurrence to warrant the purchase of shoe trees, or the use of the plethora of 'home remedies' that people will suggest. Sure, you COULD do it on your own, but haven't we all got better stuff to do?

 

[Kouros]

Soak a sock in alcohol and stuff it all the way in the shoe for 1-2 days.

 

[cvac]

Go to a good cobbler and have them do it. They may advise you that the shoe can't really be stretched to your liking. In that case, return the shoes assuming you still can.

And cedar shoe trees are something you should use anyway. They're not the same thing as shoe stretchers. Shoe trees are meant to keep the shoes from developing excessive creases and to help them hold their shape.

 

[Isaac]

I would first go to a cobbler. They have special tools that will do it. You can also buy somehting along the lines of a shoe stretcher spray. It is usually combined with alcohol, but be careful that it doesnt fade the fabric/leather or darken it. What I would do is squeeze your foot into it...then spray away and wear them. When they start getting tight again...spray some more.

 

[openhelix]

Yep, all my nicer shoes have trees. I'll take it to a local cobbler. There are 2 good ones in my area.

 

[RoyalKooparillo]

Soak a sock in alcohol and stuff it all the way in the shoe for 1-2 days.

I would NOT do this, talk about sucking any moisture in the leather out! Stretching a shoe/boot requires extra moisturizing to make sure you don't damage the leather.

The way it's usually done is to condition the leather with a beeswax/oil conditioner, heat up the leather gently with a hair dryer (or by putting the shoe in a plastic bag and submerging the bag in warm water). Once the leather is conditioned and warmed properly you can safely stretch it, either manually or with a stretching contraption. To do it manually, you take a smooth, blunt object with a rounded tip about 1-1.5" in diameter and work it into the interior of the shoe in the area that needs stretching. The trick is to go slowly and use even pressure, and make sure not to put too much stress on the welt or on any stitching. I prefer doing it this way as opposed to using a cobbler's stretching machine because you have total control over the stretching and can get it in exactly the right place. I think those metal stretching contraptions put too much stress on the entire shoe and you run the risk of stretching out a part of the shoe that fits fine already.

 

[johnmrson]

I got a Cobbler to do a pair of mine last year and they ended up perfect. The cobbler had a set of heavy duty metal shoe trees that he put in and wound up. I had to leave them for 8 days as he stretched them a little extra each day by another turn or two.

 

[VR6ofpain]

I don't think shoe stretching is a regular enough occurrence to warrant the purchase of shoe trees

Shoe trees are not designed to stretch shoes. They are meant to minimize the creases and keep their original shape. They also help dry the shoe out when they are made of cedar.

 

[natchez]

Definitely go with the pro. They have the special stretchers that can expand both length and width wise.

 

[openhelix]

I brought them to a place called "The Master Cobbler" I've used in the past. I should get them back on Wed!

 

[openhelix]

I picked them up last night. The fit is PERFECT!!! I also brought in a pair of Johnston & Murphy shoes where the sole was pulling away. They did a great job on those as well and guaranteed it for life! The also put a nice polish on both.