Did you shop in a hurry and the sneakers you bought turned out to be a little too small? Don’t rush to get upset and put your shoes in the closet, try stretching them. And we'll tell you how to do it.
Traditional methods
There are several ways to stretch your sneakers. The simplest is to put your shoes on wet woolen socks and walk in them until they dry completely. When your socks are dry, take them off and try on sneakers, they will become much looser.
Since in most sneakers the heel and toe are made of rubber, which does not stretch easily, moisten cotton wool with ammonia and treat all inserts with it. From such manipulations, the rubber will become softer, and you will be able to wear Converse. Of course, you can increase your shoe size by constantly wearing it, but your feet won’t like it. Most likely, after the first walk you will have calluses, and you will not be able to put on sneakers until the wounds have completely healed.
If your heels are tight, take a damp cloth and place it on the inside of your shoes. Using a regular hammer, use the flat side to hit the hard spot. After such manipulations, the shoes will become looser and will stop rubbing on you.
Stretching shoes with ice
There is another interesting way to increase shoe size. To do this, fill bags made of thick polyethylene with water and place them inside each Converse. Place a couple in the freezer; the water in the bags needs to freeze. When this happens, remove the sneakers from the refrigerator and let them sit in a warm place for a while. When the ice has melted a little, remove the bags from the Converse and wipe the insole dry. Now you can wear your favorite pair.
Stores sell special patches that need to be glued to the heel and toe area. They prevent chafing and dropsy. If your shoes still feel too tight, wet newspapers with water and tamp your Converse shoes tightly with paper. Leave them overnight. After that, remove the paper and feel free to go for a walk.
Upsizing in a workshop or store
You can take your shoes to a workshop. The shoemaker has a special device for stretching shoes. It is shaped like a leg, the size and width of which is adjustable. The technician will simply increase the size of the last and put on your sneakers, having previously soaked them with a special solution. After drying, you can safely wear your new thing.
Branded stores offer a service to increase the volume of shoes. Be sure to use it. Of course, the sneakers will become wider, but if you have narrow feet, this will compensate for the lack of length, and the shoes will fit you. In such stores they use a special shoe stretcher, which is used to impregnate the material and put it on a wide wooden block. This is exactly the method used in a shoe workshop. This method will help if you have very wide feet and find it difficult to choose shoes.
Before trying to stretch your sneakers, try returning them to the store. If you have a receipt, then most likely they will exchange your pair for Converse in the right size or offer you a similar model as a replacement. Converse is made of fabric, so it quickly fits your feet.
In the evening. At this time of day, the feet swell a little and become larger than in the morning. If you take this point into account when buying shoes, in the future you will need to break in less or not at all. Try them on with socks of the type you plan to wear for sports. If you missed a little with the size, they are too tight for you, you can take them apart. But remember that you can only stretch it in width. If they are too small for you in length, you won’t be able to do them.
Walk around the apartment in new ones for a short time, for example, thirty minutes. To prevent calluses from appearing after this procedure in those places where the sneakers are too small for you, you can immediately stick a patch on them. Do these walks for several days. If after about a week the new sneakers have not stretched to the size you need, move on to another method.
Use a special spray that stretches shoes. When purchasing, choose a shoe spray that matches the material your sneakers are made of. After reading the instructions, shake the spray can and apply the stretching compound to the inside of the shoe in those places that need stretching. Then put on your sneakers and walk around in them. Be careful with stretching. If you overdo it, going smaller will be much more difficult than going up.
Trust the proven recipes of our grandmothers if you do not have the opportunity to use a spray. Stuff your sneakers with wet newspaper and leave it there overnight. Then dry your shoes. Or soak it in alcohol, put on thick socks, and then sneakers. Walk around like this until your shoes wear off.
If your sneakers are very expensive and you are afraid of ruining them by doing the above-described manipulations with your shoes, take them to a shoe repair shop. The shoemaker will be able to stretch the sneakers using special tools.
Sometimes in pursuit of beauty, and sometimes out of fatigue, when you want to quickly finish shopping, trying on shoes, the buyer may not pay attention to the fact that they are a little too small. But at home, shoes that put pressure on your toes or rub your heels can ruin your mood and the beauty of your feet for a long time. To prevent this from happening, the sneakers need to be stretched.
Instructions
If you don’t want to suffer from stretching out uncomfortable shoes, it’s better to take sneakers to a shoe workshop. There, for a small amount of money, they will be treated with a special solution and placed on a wooden block, which will make the shoes reach the desired size. This is the simplest and most painless method for both your feet - after all, a professional will work on the shoes, which means that the appearance of the sneakers will be minimally spoiled by stretching.
You can purchase a wooden stretcher for yourself - this will save you from having to break in new shoes in the future. Paste it into sneakers for a day and adjust the stretch length and width.
If your heel chafes, purchase special heel stickers. They come in dark and light, so such a measure will not spoil the appearance of your shoes.
Many of us have encountered the problem of tight shoes. It is distracting, painful and harmful to health. If we are talking about sports shoes, then the problem only gets worse. After all, the main purpose of sneakers and trainers is to be comfortable and not restrict movement. Is it possible to cope with the problem and stretch sports shoes at home?
Is it possible to stretch sneakers or sneakers that are too small?
Before you start changing the size of sports shoes yourself, consider the factors that influence the result.
- The materials from which sports shoes are made can be stretched, but mainly in width.
- You should not expect to lengthen textile shoes by more than half a size. Only leather products can be stretched one size.
- The fastening seams on the shoes do not stretch.
- Synthetic rigid materials are difficult to deform and are easily damaged when stretched.
If after purchasing you realize that the shoes are too small and too tight for you, the best solution to the problem is to contact the store and request an exchange or return.
Professional means to increase shoe size
If for some reason you cannot return tight sneakers or sneakers to the store, use professional stretching products. Shoe repair shops use:
- surface treatment liquid;
- lasts on which shoes that require stretching are pulled.
Manufacturers offer special sprays and stretching foams as a liquid that helps increase the length of shoes. When purchasing them, pay attention to the purpose. If the spray is labeled “for all types of natural leather,” then it will be ineffective for textile sneakers.
Mode of application.
- Shake the expansion foam canister.
- Apply the contents evenly to problem areas from the inside and outside.
- Wear wet shoes with thick wool or terry socks.
- Walk around in it until the spray dries completely.
- Repeat the procedure several times to completely eliminate discomfort.
Before using a spray or foam, you need to test the effect of the product on an inconspicuous area of the shoe.
An analogue of professional lasts are mechanical devices: shoe spacers, mechanical stretchers, mold holders. As a rule, they are universal, suitable for several sizes and different fullnesses. The spacers are equipped with a screw mechanism that provides forceful tension. Additionally, the kit includes plastic pads for protruding features of the foot. Such devices are not cheap, but they can be used repeatedly.
Method of using mechanical shoe spacer:
- treat the shoes with a stretching spray or moisten them with water;
- insert a mechanical spacer inside the sneakers or sneakers, having previously installed plastic pads on it;
- Use the screw mechanism to apply tension to the shoe. This should be done carefully so as not to damage the material;
- leave until completely dry;
- repeat the procedure if necessary.
If you cannot fix the problem yourself, trust a professional. The specialist will most accurately adjust the shoes to your size and foot characteristics, while maintaining the appearance and quality of the product.
How to increase the length and width of shoes at home
The simplest folk way of stretching is to put on tight sports shoes over wet wool socks and walk in them until they dry completely. The method is long and not very pleasant. Once is enough only for shoes made of genuine leather. For other materials you will have to repeat the procedure several times.
Instead of water, you can use alcohol or alcohol-containing liquids. Under their influence, the material softens and becomes more pliable to change shape.
Alcohol is great for stretching sneakers with a rubber front or back.
- Treat rubber surfaces with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol-containing liquid.
- Apply mechanical force to the still damp surface: use a stretch block or put on sneakers with thick socks and walk until completely dry.
The use of alcohol-containing stretching methods for shoes made of genuine leather degrades their quality and shortens their service life.
How to quickly expand rag shoes: ice method
This method is based on the property of liquid, familiar from a school physics course: water, when transitioning to a solid state, expands, increasing in volume. This creates pressure on the surface of the shoe, causing it to stretch.
Procedure:
- Insert a thick plastic bag inside each sneaker or sneaker and spread it well inside.
- Pour water and tie the bags tightly.
- Place the shoes in the freezer for a day.
- If your toes are pressing and you need to stretch the front of the sneakers, then place a rolled-up towel under your heels.
- Remove shoes from the freezer.
- Wait until the ice melts a little.
- Take out the bags.
- Use a napkin to remove excess moisture and dry the shoes.
This method is suitable for both natural and artificial dense materials.
Thermal method of stretching textile and fabric sneakers
The essence of the method is to treat shoes with a hairdryer.
- Wear sneakers or sneakers over thick woolen socks.
- Warm up problem areas with a hairdryer for 20–30 minutes.
- Walk in your shoes until they cool down.
The method is effective and, importantly, does not degrade the original quality of the shoes.
We stretch new suede sneakers with a hairdryer - video
We use newspapers
There is another well-known method - newspaper. Our grandmothers actively used it. To stretch, they used wet newspapers, which they stuffed tightly into the shoes and waited for them to dry. In this case, the compacted wet paper dries naturally for at least three days, the insoles and surface of the shoes become wet and deformed. This method has more disadvantages than advantages, so today it can hardly be called effective.
Newspaper and other home methods for stretching shoes - video
To make the best decision on which method to choose, compare the cost of the shoes and the cost of adjusting them.
Experts say: the closer the chosen stretching method is to a professional one, the better and faster the effect will be.
Correct ways to stretch children's shoes
The best solution is to return uncomfortable sneakers or sneakers to the store or use the services of professional shoemakers. If you still decide to fix the problem yourself, use these tips:
- use only those methods in which the shoes do not stretch on the child’s foot;
- from folk remedies, use the ice method;
- purchase special stretch pads for children's shoes.
Remember that your child's shoes must fit properly. Wearing narrow or short sneakers made of fabric deforms the foot and can lead to health problems.
When choosing one method or another, weigh the pros and cons. Give preference to professional stretching methods and remember that you can increase the length or width of sports shoes by no more than a size. If the pair is too small for you, the best solution is to exchange it for a new one.
Many manufacturers of leather sports shoes recommend purchasing them one size at a time or even one size smaller, explaining that during use they quickly wear out and become too large. How to wear sneakers that are too tight at home?
How to break in sneakers?
How to break in sneakers: effective ways
When it comes to leather shoes, it is easiest to stretch them both in length and width. The most reliable methods are as follows:
· use of damp paper or newspapers;
· use of alcohol or cologne.
These methods will take a long time, but will do the job well.
How to break in narrow sneakers? You can tear sheets of regular newspaper into pieces, soak them well in warm water, squeeze them out, form them into a ball and place them tightly in your shoes. It will take one day for newspapers to dry completely; artificial heat sources should not be used to speed up the drying process. The shoes should dry naturally. After the newspapers have dried, they are taken out and the already stretched sneakers are put on.
If the option with newspapers is not suitable, you can use alcohol. A small amount is poured into sneakers, put on thick socks and walk until the alcohol completely evaporates. This procedure can be repeated several times.
How to quickly break in sneakers
Express methods for stretching shoes include:
Using water steam you can stretch almost any shoe. Just put a container of water on the fire, bring it to a boil and hold the sneakers over the steam for 15-20 minutes. Then they are put on shoes and left on their feet until they cool down. Thus, the entire procedure will take 30-40 minutes.
How to quickly break in sneakers using a hairdryer? Put thick socks on your feet and use a hairdryer to warm the shoes well from the inside for 10 minutes. They put on their shoes and walk until the sneakers cool down. Usually two such procedures are enough to make the shoes more comfortable.
How to break in sneakers that are a little tight with cold? This method is suitable for shoes made of leather, suede, and fabric. Water is poured into thick plastic bags, tied and placed inside the shoes. The pair is wrapped in a bag and placed in the freezer for 2-3 hours. When water freezes, it increases in volume, causing the fabric to stretch naturally, and very slowly.
Having returned from the shoe store with new clothes, we often find that the shoes do not fit as well as we would like. In the store it seemed that everything was chosen perfectly, but at home it turns out that either the width is tight, or the fingers are too resting in front. There can be many reasons for this. Therefore, it is important to be able to stretch your sneakers or shoes yourself.
It often happens that a person may have various deformities and bone growths on his foot. For example, a valgus deformity of the first toe can be so severe that the second toe bends under the first, and the first metatarsophalangeal joint is sharply hypertrophied and dislocated, protruding strongly in the medial direction. There may also be heel spurs, and simply features of the bone structure that do not fit into the average characteristics.
There may be problems in the ankle joint: most often it is arthrosis with deformation, swelling, pain and swelling. A very common problem is flat feet, which can be longitudinal or transverse. With flat feet, it is necessary to be very careful when choosing a last, which should reproduce the physiological curves of a normal foot in order to compensate for the lack of shock absorption associated with the physiological defect.
It is especially bad for choosing shoes to have transverse flat feet, since in this case the transverse ligament of the foot is very loose and the metatarsal bones spread to the side, significantly expanding the foot. At the same time, it is very difficult to choose shoes, since mass manufacturers rely on the average ratio of the length and width of the foot. There are companies that fundamentally produce ultra-comfortable shoes (Rieker), however, even they are not able to take into account all possible variations in pathological foot deformation and physiological characteristics.
My sneakers are too tight, what should I do?
Sports shoes are often bought by people who have nothing to do with professional sports, but who want to go jogging in the morning or take out a subscription to a fitness center. It also happens that a person simply loves sneakers as an option for very comfortable shoes. There is a huge selection of sneakers made from a wide variety of materials:
- genuine leather;
- leatherette;
- textiles;
- suede;
- nubuck, etc.
Often, having bought sneakers, people are faced with the problem that they are not entirely comfortable during prolonged wear. And then they wonder: how to break in sneakers? To break in sneakers that are too tight, you must first determine the material from which they are made.
You can take your sneakers to a workshop where a master will work on them. Here their fate is approximately the following: the leather from which the sneakers are made is treated with foam, liquid or a special composition intended for this purpose. Then special pads are inserted into the sneakers and left alone for a day, during which they stretch. The pads come in different widths and lengths. The client first discusses with the master the problem that worries him.
If the client has protruding bones on the foot, then the master can use special pads that will take this feature into account: in this case, the selected area is generously moistened with spray and locally stretched so that there is no feeling of pressure in the area of the hypertrophied bone. The whole procedure takes a day, after which the client comes for a fitting: if necessary, the process is repeated.
Methods of breaking in
You can do approximately the same thing at home by purchasing a special stretching product: spray, liquid, foam, pads. However, we must remember that in the case of patent leather shoes, foam is not used to avoid cracking.
How to stretch shoes using improvised means at home, without the help of a professional. Folk wisdom has invented a lot of ways. However, it should be noted that you most likely won’t be able to increase the length of your sneakers by a size larger on your own, especially when it comes to artificial leather: it can all end in unraveling or cracking.
Some craftsmen have adapted to using oats and other grains that swell strongly in water to make shoes bigger. To do this, cereal is poured inside to the top, then water is poured on top until it is equal to the top layer of cereal. The shoes are left overnight, during which the grass swells greatly, absorbing water. This causes the shoe to expand. In the morning, the contents are shaken out and the shoes are wiped from the inside. To enhance the effect, you can wear thick socks and break in your sneakers for one hour at home. IN place of cereals, you can put regular damp newspaper inside and leave until the water has completely evaporated. This method is quite gentle and is also suitable for shoes made of textiles and artificial leather.
Another radical method suggests pouring boiling water into new shoes for 2-3 seconds, then pouring it out, putting it on and breaking it in. You should not perform this trick with artificial materials. They might just burst. When dealing with faux leather, you should say goodbye to the idea of stretching your sneakers to fit. Most likely this won't happen. In the case of artificial skin, one can only hope for a slight increase in width and adaptation to the bony features of the foot. Shoes made from artificial materials should initially be comfortable.
Castor oil is a good help in breaking in. To do this, you need to lubricate your shoes with oil, both inside and outside. Then wear it in thick socks. The oil helps stretch the skin.
How to wear textile shoes?
Textile sneakers should be worn in more carefully. Large temperature changes are unacceptable. The easiest way is to walk in sneakers in the rain, and when you return home, continue to break them in. You can steam them with an iron, and then put them on and walk around in them for a few days at home. It is also appropriate to stuff your sneakers with wet newspaper and leave them that way. As the newspaper dries, it stretches. All manipulations should be carried out very carefully to avoid unsticking. Textile shoes are perhaps the most sensitive to stretching and it is important not to damage them. To avoid this, it is best to entrust your shoes to professionals and take them to a workshop.
How to stretch shoes made of genuine leather?
The easiest home method is to lubricate the inside of the sneakers with 50% ethyl alcohol or vodka (you can use vinegar), then put on very thick socks and sneakers treated with alcohol on top. You should walk with shoes on for 1-2 hours. Don't try to walk outside as it will be very uncomfortable. You can repeat this action several times until the sneakers begin to feel right to you. If you used vinegar, you can remove the smell with soapy water or lemon peel.
If you have problems with the back of your shoe (your heel rubs), you can tap the heel with a hammer: it will become flatter and will not injure the skin as much. Alternatively, you can wet the backdrop with a thick soap solution or alcohol and wear it at home.
If you urgently need to put on new shoes and there is no time to stretch them, then you should cover with adhesive tape those areas of the foot that rub most often. As a rule, everyone knows their weak points.
A more exotic way to stretch your sneakers in width and length is to use raw potatoes as an alternative to lasts. And this method has some advantages. By selecting potatoes “by caliber”, you can consistently stretch your shoes to suit the characteristics of your foot. It is better to pre-treat it with alcohol or spray, then peel the potatoes and stuff the inside of your shoes with them. Stretching can be done at any time, sometimes changing the potatoes to suit the new sensations.
There are very extreme methods of stretching: take two sealed bags, fill them with water, leaving some air on top. The bags are placed inside the sneakers and placed in the refrigerator for a day.. During this time, the water freezes, expanding along the way (that’s why we need an air supply) and gradually stretches the sneakers. However, remember that this number will only work with leather products. Leatherette is likely to burst.
How to stretch new shoes at home using a hair dryer
The easiest way: put on your shoes, wet them with water, and heat them with a hairdryer for 30 seconds. Under the influence of heat, the shoes will become more stretchable and pliable. Subsequent wearing for 1-2 hours in an apartment will lead to some increase in volume. This method can be repeated many times.
You can wear very thick socks and warm up your sneakers a little with a hairdryer. Continued stay in them should help. You should be careful about excessive temperature exposure, as this can lead to unsticking along the adhesive seam and cracking.
When buying another pair of shoes, you should consider how problematic (or problem-free) your feet are. If you have arthrosis, flat feet and other pathological conditions, then you should tune in to high-comfort shoes and choose the appropriate models. Maybe in your case it’s even worth having your shoes made to order.
Any shoes should be purchased in the afternoon. Many people experience swelling in their lower extremities at this time, even if they do not visually notice it. In this case, the width of the foot can vary. It is also worth considering the material from which the sneakers or shoes are made. The leather stretches more easily and fits well to the leg, adapting to the shape of the foot.
Stretching faux leather sneakers to length is an impossible task. Therefore, immediately buy comfortable shoes made of artificial leather, without the expectation that you will then adjust them to suit you. When planning a purchase, form your opinion about various manufacturers by studying reviews about them on the Internet. There are exceptions, but, as a rule, public opinion quite accurately describes the consumer properties of a particular product.
Buying shoes is a responsible process, and in the case of a high-quality model, it is also expensive. Therefore, it is important not to make a mistake with your choice. Sports shoes require a special approach, since in sneakers the foot will be subjected to quite heavy loads. It is necessary that these loads pass as completely as possible for the health of the feet and the shoes bring joy, comfort, and do not cause swelling and pain.
