Saving my too tight shoes, a successful stretching method.

I have been sorting through my overly large collection of shoes trying to hone it down from 100 to 80. The number is arbitrary, and if I'm not successful, that ok, so far I've only eliminated 6 pairs. One thing I'm checking for is fit. If my shoes pinch or bind, I have been tossing them, however, there is a method for stretching the toe box and if shoes are made of real leather it works. I know someone once asked about this on the forum, so I am posting this because I have now used it several times with much success.

Check out this You Tube video by Michelle Phan for the best explanation. Or Google stretching your shoes using ice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf5mJ7aR2t8

I'm not sure this link will work so I will also outline the procedure.
1. Fill two zip lock sandwich bags 1/4 full with water.
2. Stuff them into the tight shoe toe boxes
3. Freeze the shoe until the water has frozen and expanded.
4. Let the shoes sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to thaw enough for the ice bags to be easily removes.
5. Dry the inside of your shoes to remove any moisture.

They should have stretched. If they need more you can repeat the procedure.

I have found that I can make shoes that were a little tight in the toes, or that were snug over the arch of my foot fit perfectly!

Hope it works for you also!

8 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the tip about stretching shoes. I think it was last summer that Angie had a post on how to stretch shoes with a potato. I'll see if I can find it.

Here it is:

http://youlookfab.com/2014/06/.....mfortable/

Anonymous

I've never heard of this method before. It sounds great!

Sveta

Thanks for the tip! I have a wider forefoot so it is good to add a new stretching trick to my arsenal

jackiec

Good tip - thanks!

Joyce B

Thanks for sharing, SF! I suppose if it's between tossing the shoe and giving it a chance with this method then why not try it.
I would not like to freeze my fancier shoes but those are not a problem because if they are not comfortable to begin with I do not buy them or if I bought I return them.
I used to break-in my shoes by wearing them with thick socks. It worked but was torture. Now I try my best to only get comfortable shoes.
I will keep your shoe stretching method in mind, just in case.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Brilliant - I now know 5 ways to stretch shoes. Great tip, and thanks for sharing.

Staysfit

Glad to add to the shoe stretching arsenal! I haven't seen the potato method before! Thanks for pointing it out Karie, I am going to try it.

I have no hesitation about using the ice method with any of my shoes as long as they are leather. I have used it on my Chie Mihara's, my AGL's, etc.

Rubygirl

Active Member

Wow.. Thanks for the tip on stretching shoes

I just read Angies potato method and wet foot method of stretching shoes. They both sound like great methods.

I would say that unlike those methods, the ice method can work on stiff leather as well as soft.

I think it is also a fairly gentle method as long as you are conservative about how much water you add to the Baggie. I have had to repeat with some of my shoes, and scientist that I am, I measure how much water I use so I know if I need to add say 1/4 cup more, or maybe keep the amount the same and just repeat for a smidge more stretch.

Style Fan

Thanks for the info SF. I did try the potato method last year and it worked! My sandals now fit perfectly.

dashielle (Ann)

I couldn't live without my flat shoe stretcher, complete with bunion inserts

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Pro.....38;qid=143...

and my stretcher for heels!
http://www.amazon.com/Footfitt.....F8&am...

Every shoe I've ever bought requires some help to fit, but then I have weird feet

Brilliant! Yet another way to stretch out shoes!

Dashielle, I may have to fork out some cash for a professional shoe stretcher! Although I have to say, my freezer is always running, and a box of zip lock baggies is inexpensive, and the bags can be reused.

Sal

My favourite heels are a little tight in the toe box so I am going to play around. They are old but I love them and my feet must be spreading with age.

Thanks for the tip!

Jaime

Great tips thanks!

Joy

Staysfit, will the frozen baggie method work on patent leather or will it crack it? I have had good luck with stretching the toe box with a potato in the past, but it doesn't seem to work as well on patent or that pair may need more stretching.

karymk

I tried the potato method and it worked quite well. As for the freezing method I Always thought frozen water "contracts so this just stumps me.

Mander

I need to find a method that works with synthetic shoes. I have this nifty pair of shiny silver brogues that are just a bit too narrow and so I've never worn them. But they are so nifty I haven't been able to bring myself to ditch them!

Karymk, it's the other way around with water -- that's why ice cubes float! Virtually every other substance shrinks when it freezes, but the fact that water expands is one of the things that actually makes life on earth work at all. When a lake freezes over, for instance, the ice stays on top rather than sinking, and this helps keeps the water underneath warmer and stops the fish, plants, etc. from being crushed and from freezing to death. It's also a factor in creating all kinds of geological features all over the world. Ice expanding as it freezes can break rocks and soil apart, can cause different layers of earth to move up or down, and all kinds of stuff. It's pretty miraculous, really.

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