Is there a good way to stretch leather shoes?

Asked by figbash (7483

) March 30th, 2009

I’ve got a pair of vintage leather shoes that are a tiny bit too small for me. I love them and don’t want to give them up, but can’t wear them as they are. Is there anything I can do to stretch them lengthwise a little? Maybe oil them and then use a shoehorn of some sort?

Wearing them around to stretch them out isn’t really an option I want to try

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5 Answers

Heat/steam would stretch them then you place them in the horn that may work

sandystrachan (4417

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If you have an Earth Shoe store near you, they can probably stretch them (as well as a decent shoe repair place, I imagine).

kevbo (25672

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The best way I have found to stretch leather shoes is with isopropyl alcohol. Pour or swab the inside of the shoes with alcohol until they are damp but not pouring wet. Put on some socks and then put on the shoes and walk around in them for a bit. I know they will be tight. They were tight BEFORE the socks, but this is necessary. I cannot tell you how many shoes I have stretched with this method. It will work only on leather. Faux leather or plastic or imitation leather will not be affected.

VS (4040

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