Did you buy a pair of leather boots only to find that they are uncomfortably tight for your feet? Did you plan a hiking trip only to realize that your favorite hiking leather boots have shrunk over time and cannot fit into your feet? Well, you don’t have to worry. It is possible to stretch leather boots for a better fit and return them to the original condition.
If looking for the best way to stretch leather boots, here are tips on how to stretch leather boots that you can use for useful results!
Freezing
Freezing is an effective method when it comes to stretching leather boots. All you need to do is to fill a waterproof bad with one-third or half water. Squeeze the air from the bag before you seal off the bag. To effectively remove the air, seal the bag but leave a small opening in one corner. After that, place the bag into the boots on the tight areas.
Always make sure that the water touches on all the shoe sides; otherwise, your boot may not stretch evenly. If you wish to stretch leather boots width, place the water accordingly. After that, place your boots in the freezer and leave them overnight.
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As the water freezes, it will expand and stretch out the leather in the process.
Stuff the boots with materials
Filling the cavity of the boot with filling materials such as newspapers, rags, or rolled towels will expand the leather. You can also roll up large telephone books as they are a great way to get enough volume in the boot and at the same time keep up the upright stiffness in the stretching process.
After stuffing the boots, leave them for at least eight hours to meet positive results.
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Stuffing materials inside a boot keep the boot expanded and with time the leather stretch leaving more room inside. After that, you can wear your boots with no problem at all.
Using a stretcher
Stretchers are very useful when it comes to stretching leather boots. If you want to take your boot stretching to the next level, there are commercial shoes and boots stretchers that you can buy on the local stores as well as on the online stores.
Stretchers are objects that resemble real feet, and all you need is to insert them inside the boot and then adjust them to expand your boot.
All you need to do is to turn the adjusting knobs until the form reaches an outstretching capacity.
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After using this form, it’s able to hold the shape that you need, and your boot will stretch to fit your need.
Wear the boots around the house
While this method of shoe stretching is an older one, it is handy. Just wear your boots when in the house, walk around the house or the compound. If your feet hurt, remove the boots for a while and then wear them again. For a faster process, wear them with thick socks and the boots will stretch as you wish. If thinking of how to stretch leather boots at the toe, this step may work.
Bend and twist the boots
Leather boots are tight since they go through various chemical treatments during the manufacturing process, making their fiber very rigid. For you to loosen up the fibers, you can bend and twist them gently after wearing them, when they are still warm. By doing this, you can soften the fibers on areas that your feet reach and will eventually expand to fit your feet.
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While the bends and twists help in expanding the leather boot, make sure you are gentle on them to avoid cracking your leather fibers.
Heating
If you own boot socks or you have a very thick pair of socks, put them on during the heating process. Having a thicker layer is essential as it will help in stretching the leather further. After wearing the socks, slip on your boots.
Note that wearing the boots with thick socks might feel uncomfortable, but that short-term discomfort will create long-term comfort.
Heat the tight areas with a hairdryer. Set the heat to least thirty seconds and then flex and stretch your feet during the process to stretch the boots further.
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Stay with the boots on until they cool since if you remove them when they are still hot, they will shrink back to the earlier form. Once they cool, they will support that expansion and will get comfortable on your feet.
Rub alcohol
Pour rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and tighten the nozzle to make sure there are no leaks. Rubbing alcohol has seventy percent concentrated ethanol by volume, which is safe for leather. Spray the solution gently over the area of the boot that needs stretching making sure that the area is thoroughly damp.
After the alcohol soaks into the lather, slip in your feet while the boot is still wet and keep them on until the boots dry entirely. After removing the feet, leave the shoes for several hours and then try them on.
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After using this process effectively, the leather will stretch well, and your boots will fit you comfortably. If they fail to stretch to your desired state, repeat the process once again.
Take the boots to a professional
When everything else fails or if you are too busy to stretch the boots using the above methods, you can take your boots to a cobbler. While it might be costly, the stretching process will become very fast and effective.
Shoe cobblers have enough ability and can come up with a solution to any form of discomfort that may arise when wearing the shoes.
In most cases, they will ask you to leave the shoes with them for some days.
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While taking your boots to an expert will cost you money, you are sure that the stretching will come out right. As long as you are clear on the areas that need stretching, your boots will fit you comfortably.
Everyone loves to wear excellent and comfortable boots as that is everyone’s passion. As long as you make good use of the above information, you now have an idea on how to stretch out leather boots and enjoy the comfort that comes with that.
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