How to stretch sneakers and not ruin them: 15 ways

designer of the Monza brand and founder of Mono-Stil.

“Tight shoes, squeezing the foot, worsens blood circulation. Diseases of joints, veins (varicose veins, thrombophlebitis) may appear. Not uncommon – poor posture, gait, the formation of calluses, spurs, muscle strain. In adolescents, the skeleton can be incorrectly formed and deformed feet. In particular, the change in the area of the first toe. A “bone” appears, which also leads to bursitis and onychodystrophy.”

It is important to wear a pair that fits properly, because it is about the health of our musculoskeletal system. This is especially true of sneakers, as the feet are subjected to tremendous strain during exercise. Regular exercise in uncomfortable shoes leads to vasoconstriction of the vessels of the feet. A person begins to suffer from swelling, numbness and cramps in the legs. There is also pain in the heel area and in the area of the Achilles tendon. To avoid negative consequences from training, it is worth stretching new models after purchase.

What materials can be stretched?

Remember that shoes can be stretched by a maximum of half a size, and then – only in some places. What materials are subject to deformation? Natural leather or suede, as well as textiles. Products made of synthetic fabrics are subject to change much more difficult, and in some cases it is even pointless.

Completely rigid and uncomfortable models are better not to even start stretching. It is easier to abandon the purchase in favor of a more suitable option.

Unwearing

Remember that the adaptation of shoes occurs from three to seven days. It is better to start stretching in advance of going out in a narrow pair. Every day for 15 minutes wear at home for 15 minutes on a thick sock. This is enough. But it is better to do in the evening. Why? During the day, the legs swell, and the foot becomes flatter.

By the way, for the same reason it is worth visiting specialized stores in the evening. So you will definitely minimize the risk of buying a pair half a size smaller.

Modern ways of stretching sneakers

At least once in our lives, we all faced with uncomfortable shoes. Even expensive models from famous designers can also chafe. Why does this happen? Everyone has different anatomy. This is normal. That’s why various methods that allow you to fit a new pair to yourself are so popular. First of all, it is worth turning to professional methods.

1. Spray or foam

For a slight deformation of leather, suede products, an appropriate spray will work well. Today on the market there are a variety of them. They are easy to use. It is only necessary to spray the liquid while the humidity persists, put on shoes and walk in shoes until they dry completely. This will allow you to adjust the sneakers to the shape of the foot.

To avoid damage to the product, it is worth preapplying the solution to a small inconspicuous area. This will allow you to check the dye resistance.

Also manufacturers offer to buy cosmetics in the form of foam in an aerosol can. After absorption, it deeply penetrates into the structure of the skin, softening it. This is the most effective way.

2. Stretch pad

If you need to deform the shoe as much as possible, then, as a rule, you use a stretching shoe. It is also called spacers. They are available in many stores and ateliers. With their help, you can change both the length, width, and lift. Such a tool is suitable for natural suede and leather.

There are different types: plastic, wooden and metal. The principle of their operation is the same – a screw with a thread, on which the main elements move. Turning this mechanism, you can adjust the parameters of the product. You just need to insert the device inside the sneakers and correct.

But remember that it is worth deforming until the product visually changes its shape. It is better to do in several approaches. Why? There is a risk of cracks or burst seams.

By the way, it is not necessary to buy this device. You can take a couple to the workshop, where you will do everything by a professional. He will help to assess the strength of the impact on the material. You will not have to worry about the quality. Additionally, the shoemaker uses special creams and powders that affect the fibers of the fabric.

It is also worth entrusting the matter to a master if you have hightops. High-top sneakers have a butt that covers the ankles. It can be broken by independent exposure.

Folk methods of stretching shoes

In the people there are several ways how torenegotiate a pair at home. Let’s consider the most popular options.

1. Bag with water

Pour water into a sturdy bag, put this bag inside the shoe and put it in the freezer. Leave it for at least six hours until the water freezes. After that, take the sneakers out and wait for the ice to melt. If after the first time the material is not stretched enough, you need to repeat the process.

This method is suitable when it is tight in the fingers. Suede and leather lend themselves very well to it.

2. Alcohol, vinegar or kerosene

Another popular method is to treat the product from the outside and inside with alcohol, vinegar (3%) or kerosene. After this it is necessary to put on a thick sock, then – shoes and actively walk in it at home for one hour. To remove the pungent odor, use a soap solution. After drying in the open air.

By the way, alcohol, vinegar and kerosene can be replaced with a means for cleaning windows and mirrors. The main thing is that in their composition was alcohol. It is also allowed to use cologne.

If you have colored sneakers, then this method should be abandoned.

3. oil or petroleum jelly

If you need to stretch sneakers made of smooth leather, which has not been worn for a long time, you can treat it with a cotton disk soaked in vegetable or castor oil. Vaseline will also work. These means soften the skin.

How to proceed? Take out the insoles, treat the entire surface, then wipe off all the excess. Put on thick socks and shoes. Walk for an hour. Remember that this method is not suitable for fabric sneakers.

4. Grits

Fill your shoes with cereal, pour water inside and leave them for eight hours. The swelling of the grains will help to stretch the material. After that, you need to pour out the filling, wipe the shoes from the inside and spread them until they dry completely.

5. Newspaper

This is a favorite folk method of stretching shoes. You need to cut or tear the newspaper into pieces, stuff the sneakers with them and pour water. Wet paper will quickly swell and completely fill the space from the inside. Next, you should wait for complete drying. But do not keep the pair near the radiator or on warm floors.

6. Hair dryer

Another option is to put on socks and actively blow with a hair dryer those places where it is tight.

Remember that you should not bring the device too close. Also make sure that the direction of the hot air does not fall on the seams. There is a risk that they will come apart. Afterwards, walk around the apartment in your shoes until they cool down.

7. Boiling water

Unsafe method, but it is often resorted to. Boil water, quickly dip the sneakers in boiling water. After that, put on thick socks and walk until the pair cools down. It is better to repeat the process several times.

You can hold the area that requires deformation under hot water (60-70 degrees) and wear at home. But this method works only for leather goods and textiles.

8. Water

If the sneakers are suede, then it is worth avoiding contact of the outer surface of the material with water. Such a pair can be deformed. How? Put the shoes on a slightly wet sock and walk around the house.

9. Steam

Do it carefully, observing safety rules, so as not to get burned. It is necessary to hold the shoes over the steam (over boiling water in a pot, for example). Then stuff it with pieces of newspaper. Leave them to dry at room temperature.

10. Potatoes

A very effective way, although it seems very strange. What do you need? Peel a potato, put a tuber each in the nasal part. Leave it for eight hours. After that, you just need to pull the vegetable out. At the expense of what will happen deformation? It’s all about the potato juice. It softens the material.

11. Soap or candle

This method is suitable if the heel is rubbed. You just need to lubricate the back surface of the sneakers with dry soap or candle.

12. hammer

If you experience discomfort in the area of the heel, then it is worth resorting to the following method. Especially the method is effective for sneakers. First moisten a cloth with water. Apply it to the butt on the inside of the product. Put the shoes so that the heel area is on a hard surface. Take a hammer in your hands and with the flat side, lightly tap along this area.

13. Removing the insole

If it is necessary to stretch the product in width, many owners of sports shoes simply pull out the insole. This allows you to increase the free space. However, you should not do this, because this part of the sneakers is necessary. It performs a number of important functions. For example, reducing the shock load on the joints and spine, prevention of clubfoot, flat feet and blisters. It also reduces fatigue and pain after heavy loads. What to do in such a case? Replace the insole with a thinner one.

In general, as for the correction of shoes, it is important to note that it is worth resorting to this only when there is minimal discomfort. When, for example, one shoe fits normally, but the second shoe is slightly tight in the toes or heel. Remember that we are all asymmetrical. This is a variation of the norm.

If you want a particular pair but don’t have your size, don’t buy something that is small with the intention of stretching it out. Why waste time, money and nerves on such manipulations? First, you can “overstretch” and the shoes will dangle. Secondly, no matter what quality thing is, each model is sewn taking into account the established standard. Excessive external exposure can affect the durability of the material of manufacture. In addition, the purchase will no longer be under warranty.