When you want to stretch your shoes, it means that you experience a pinch point somewhere in your shoes. This does not necessarily mean that your shoes have to go straight into the trash. With shoe stretching you can remove various bottlenecks and create extra space so that your favorite pair of shoes can still sit comfortably.
Why stretch shoes?
As I just mentioned, stretching shoes can create space and reduce or even eliminate pressure points.
A number of common shoe problems in a row that could make stretching shoes useful:
- Irritations at stitching
- Lumps on toes
- Hallux Valgus
- Too narrow shoes
- High instep
- Pressure point in shoes
These are just a few examples of shoe problems that could make it useful to stretch your shoes.
Benefits of shoe stretching
Stretching shoes gives more space and seems to be the ideal solution to remove irritations or pain points. This can be the solution for people with lumps (hallux valgus – hallux rigidus) or people who have bought shoes that are too narrow, experience a pressure spot in the heel of the shoe or a stitching that irritates.
Material of shoes
It is important to know that not every shoe can be stretched. It depends on the material whether this is possible.
Suede, nubuck and smooth leather
Natural products such as the leather types mentioned above are stretchable. This makes it possible to stretch these materials in width and height. Lengthwise stretching of shoes is not possible.
Stretching shoes lengthwise is not possible
Fabric, canvas and plastic
Nowadays, more and more sneakers are made of fabric, canvas, plastic or different materials on one shoe. There is little stretch in this type of material, so it is not possible to stretch it.
Stretch your own shoes
When there is a pain point or irritation, it is obvious that you will see how you can solve this yourself. Stretching can be done in different ways. At the shoemaker or you can try it yourself. Different ways of stretching shoes that you can try at home:
- Stretch shoes in the freezer
- Stretch shoes with hair dryer
Then the big question: is this successful or is it better to go to the shoemaker? Putting shoes in the freezer or stretching them with a hair dryer seems to have a good chance of success in theory, but unfortunately the result is limited.
*My preference is to stretch shoes at the shoemaker. A good shoemaker has several options for stretching. Stretching locally, stretching width and stretching the instep. This is not possible at home.
Different ways of stretching shoes at the shoemaker
As I mentioned earlier, the material determines whether it is possible to stretch your shoes. In addition, it is important what the purpose of the stretching is. The best way to stretch your shoes depends on the reason. A number of different ways of stretching shoes in a row. Of course I will explain later which way has proven to be the most successful and for what reason a different way of stretching might be better.
- Stretch the shoe in length and/or width
- Stretch shoe in height (instep)
- Stretch shoe with pliers
A small selection of the possibilities of a shoemaker.
Goal and solution
Each way of stretching has its advantages. For example, stretching the instep does not make sense with a bottleneck in width. Below is an overview of shoe stretching: the purpose and possibilities of stretching.
| Rode | Supplies | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bump on side of foot | Knob pliers/width stretch | Create space knob/width |
| Lumps on toes/foot | Knob tongs / instep stretch | Stool lumps/create extra space |
| Shoe width too narrow | Stretch width | Extra space create width |
| High instep | Instep stretch | Create extra space on the instep |
| Pain in heel | Stretch heel | Reducing pressure at heel and softening |
Time frame footwear stretching?
On average you lose your shoes for one day. When you have your shoes stretched with the pliers, you can generally wait for it.
How much does shoe stretching cost?
The price of shoe stretching varies. Depending on what is needed. On average, stretching a shoe costs € 5.00.
When you have bought shoes from a better shoe store and it turns out that they don’t fit well, it is often a service from the store.
Solution: Avoid having to stretch your shoes again in the future
Let’s start at the beginning. Buying your shoes. If the purchase of your shoes does not go well, you will soon be at the shoemaker to stretch your shoes. A number of ways how you can best prevent this in a row:
- When buying shoes, pay attention to the length and width
- Try on your shoes with thick socks
Sensitive feet or lumps on the toes? Look for shoes with little stitching and stretch material. After all, prevention is better than cure!
