a shoe-stretching breakthrough

Maya

Shoe stretching wasn't working for me until now. I just couldn't get them to be as wide as I needed them to. My feet are a size 6 or 6.5 in length, but a 7.5 or 8 in width!

Well so far I have been using a shoe stretcher for shoes sizes 3-6 (yes, 3...who wears a 3?), since most of my shoes are a 6 and I was afraid the bigger size wouldn't fit. Out of desperation, I ordered a 6.5-8 stretcher. I stuck some plugs on it where I get the most rubbing and tenderness, and I couldn't believe how much bigger my shoe got (I'm trying it on the Swanns first)! I can't say for sure if this is going to solve my shoe woes forever, but here is a picture so you can see the comparison (along with my foot). You can see how crooked and weird my little toe is. This happened after surgery, and the only way to correct it would be more surgery, which I'm resisting as much as possible, so I hope this is the answer I have long been searching for.

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1797.jpg

16 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

Anonymous

Oh your poor little toe. Too bad this happend after surgery. I hope at least the issue you had the surgery for is resolved.
The shoe stretcher looks like a pro device. Where did you find it?

16 years ago

Anonymous

Maya, I hope this works well for you! It's interesting that the 6.5-8 stretcher is wider; I guess I have always thought that width is universal throughout all sizes! Please keep us updated on what you think of stretching the Swanns!

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wooohoo! Holding thumbs!

(Look at that cute little foot!) Maya, have you tried that goo that came up on the last shoe alteration post? Body Glide? It might help your pinky toes. I haven’t had to use it yet, but I REALLY want a pair of wedged gladiators and this mooty might help with that.

http://www.bodyglide.com/

Btw, I LOVE my "new" black and white Swanns. I don't know how I lived without them. Now I don't need to thanks to you :0)

16 years ago

Anonymous

Hope this works for you. I'd especially like to know because one of my little toes was broken waterskiing many years ago and has a permanent crook. The toe can be a problem with shoes. If this works for you I'll have to invest in a shoe stretcher.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Oh Angie, no need for thanks. I get much more use out of your yellow bag than I ever would from those too-big shoes. I am hoping and praying that after this experiment, we can be shoe twins I haven't tried the body glide yet but I think I may give it a shot if this doesn't work (the idea of me going into any kind of athletic store amuses me, hehe).

I am a little disappointed though--I just took out the stretcher to check how the shoe fits now, and part of the stretcher dug into the insole and tore it apart in one spot I can just insert a thin insole but it annoys me that the shoe is ruined. I don't know if a cobbler could replace it with a new insole that's just as cushy.

The surgery did correct the problem I had (bunions on both side of my foot), but now instead of my shoes rubbing the bunion, they rub my toe instead, so it really was just a tradeoff At least my big toe has seen some relief.

I'm going to leave the stretcher in for a few more days and I'll report back.

Joy--it's not much of an investment. Mine was about $16

16 years ago

cciele

Veteran

I hope the stretcher works for you! I recently bought one (hasn't gotten here yet) in hopes that it will make a few of my favorite pairs of shoes more comfy. Are you using the shoe stretch spray too?

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I hope it works for you CC! I do use a spray. It softens the leather and makes the results more permanent. Without it, the shoe won't stretch as much and might even tear if you're not careful. The little plugs are helpful too. I plan to leave mine in for a few days (the longer you leave it, the more they stretch). I should know the results by next week!

16 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Maya, I sure hope that this makes your shoes more comfortable for you! The rubbing sounds awfully painful.

Have you tried products like the Band-aid Blister Block in addition to stretching? I have heard good things about that product but haven't tried it myself.

P.S. You're not alone in having twisted pinkie toes, and mine have been this way since birth, not from surgery. My toes look quite a bit like yours, except that the top joint twists in towards the foot and slightly underneath the toe next to it. If I wear a narrow toe box my pinkie toenail can gouge skin out of the toe next to it, and the joint of my pinkie toe gets rubbed raw.

16 years ago

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