How to Stretch Leather Shoes
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, ill-fitting shoes cause most foot injuries and deformities, including bunions, corns, calluses, and hammertoes. In fact, one study found that eighty percent of women reported foot pain due to footwear, with seventy-six percent having one or more foot deformities. Of these women, eighty-eight percent were wearing shoes that were nearly two-width sizes too small. The Academy stresses that the best way to prevent foot problems is to purchase shoes that fit correctly to begin with.
The best shoe stretching methods do not involve wearing a too-tight shoe until it ultimately gives as this can cause the aforementioned foot injuries. Here are the safest and most successful methods of stretching leather shoes.
Jump Ahead
- Stretching Leather Shoes at Home
- The Professional Cobbler
- Viral Advice NOT to Attempt on Leather Shoes
- Top 5 Shoe Stretching Methods to Skip on Leather
- References
Stretching Leather Shoes at Home
What you need:
- Leather, suede or natural skin shoes
- Shoe stretch spray
- Shoe stretchers
Using a commercial shoe stretch spray is effective for leather, suede, and natural skin shoes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions as each product may differ slightly, but the general method is to spray the shoes to relax and soften the fibers.
Next, insert your shoe stretchers to the desired width and length. Many shoe stretcher kits come with shoe stretchers. If not, invest in shoe stretchers that have the option to change both length and width.
Allow the shoes to dry fully.
This method is so effective that The Joffrey Ballet School’s Book of Ballet-Fit, recommends that dancers who choose leather ballet slippers should buy their shoes tight, spray them with shoe stretch spray, and then walk around the house in demi-pointe until the shoes dry. This method will mold them perfectly to your feet.
The Professional Cobbler
If you have invested in a costly pair of shoes, it’s best to have them professionally stretched. Not all methods work for all shoes, and any time you attempt to stretch material, you run the risk of damaging the shoe. A professional will know exactly how the shoe was constructed, with what materials, and how to stretch them properly (if at all) without any risk to the shoe.
Viral Advice NOT to Attempt On Leather Shoes
The internet is jam-packed with advice on how to stretch shoes. Some advice is sound, while other ideas are not only silly; they are likely to ruin your new shoes. And though some of these methods may work for shoes made from different materials, they are likely to ruin the leather. The following are some of the most viral ideas for stretching shoes that you should never try on leather. (If you aren’t familiar with some of these methods, you can read about them here.)
Top 5 Shoe Stretching Methods to Skip on Leather
- Wearing wet socks
- Stuffing wet socks inside the shoe
- Freezer bag and ice method
- Potato method
- Wet newspaper
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons – “Prevention is best for common foot, ankle problems.”
- Moss, Dena Simone., and Allison Kyle Leopold. The Joffrey Ballet Schools Book of Ballet-Fit. St. Martins Griffin, 1998, p. 73
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