How to break in shoes that are too tight. Life hacks from shoemakers. How to quickly break in shoes: proven tips How to break in leather shoes
Greetings, my dears!
We girls have our weaknesses. One of them may be the desire to be beautiful no matter what. Has it ever happened to you that you bought some beautiful dress, for which it would be nice to lose a couple of kilos, but you can’t refuse it and take the pleasant purchase home? Assuring yourself that for his sake you will go on a diet right from tomorrow. Well, well, it’s good if you really lose weight and shine in this outfit, otherwise it often happens that the item remains untouched in the wardrobe.
The same thing happens with shoes. I have a friend whose weakness is shoe addiction. If she sees something interesting in a shoe store, then at least seven of her will not help! He will buy what is needed and what is not needed. And if the coveted shoes are sold at a tempting discount, then everything is clear; she definitely won’t pass them by.
This is typical for many of us, some to a greater extent, some to a lesser extent. And just in such a fervor of shopping excitement, it is easy to grab a pair that is “slightly not yours.”
You come home and find that your shoes are rubbing! There is good news! This matter is often quite fixable, unless, of course, you bought 36 for your 39. And just today we’ll discuss, if your shoes are tight, how to stretch them? I’ll tell you all the secrets that I know myself and that my friend shared!
How to break in shoes if they are too tight? There are several methods, let's look at them based on the material.
- We pull the skin.
Genuine leather is perhaps the best material for shoes. Beautiful, soft, easy-to-fit product. And it’s not difficult to stretch such shoes, even at home. You can easily add about half a size. Simply wet your leather shoes and wear them indoors for a while.
Please, just do not soak your shoes or spray them with a spray bottle - this may damage the paint or insole, and the product itself may become damaged.
A good way: take not very thick socks, moisten them with vodka or a 2 to 1 dilution of alcohol. Put on those wet socks and put on your shoes. Walk around the house for several hours. Then dry the pair.
If the result is not very satisfying, then simply repeat the procedure, but with less alcohol, i.e. make a vodka solution.
Attention! Shoes should not be wiped with alcohol on top!
You can also use water, but to achieve the best effect, the temperature of the liquid, which is also used to wet the sock, must be high, i.e. as tolerant as possible. You can even first scald the inside of the product with boiling water. Or blow them from the inside with a hairdryer on hot air. Well, then put on your socks. Be careful and don't get burned!
A good result can be achieved using vinegar. Wipe the inside of the product with a 3% solution and wear for a while. This should help!
- What about suede?
Let's now consider what to do with suede shoes if they rub. In general, this material breaks in very well on its own, just walk around for a couple of days and the shoes will fit comfortably on your feet. But if you need to quickly increase their size, then choose the same “vodka” method that is proposed for leather products.
Do not use water for these purposes so that the product does not fade or become covered with stains!
A caveat: when breaking in, take a thin sock, otherwise the suede shoes may become too big and then hang loose on your feet.
If your shoes are too tight, it is best to use a special stretching foam for suede. It is sprayed only inside the product, on those places that rub the most, after which the shoes also need to be worn with socks.
Important: do not use greasy products for suede, because... they leave streaks and spoil the material!
- Even varnish will succumb!
This is perhaps the most difficult material to break in. Firstly, such shoes are rigid and difficult to deform in themselves, and secondly, if you overdo it with the products, the varnish may crack. When deciding to purchase such products, choose a pair that is suitable in length and where your fingers are free.
If you still have to stretch new patent leather shoes, then fat comes to the rescue. What you need to do: take castor oil, Vaseline or glycerin, lubricate the shoes both inside and outside and wear them on your toes. The material will soften and the product will be able to stretch.
- Leatherette, fabric and oilcloth - what to do with them?
Frankly speaking, shoes made of such material are almost impossible to break in. The fact is that inexpensive artificial materials simply cannot withstand deformation and burst. Of course, you can try to stretch such shoes with water, but the risk that the color will fade and streaks will remain is too great. It is best to use the “freezing” method, but more on that below.
Perhaps these are the main methods of breaking in, but this is not the entire list. What do you do? Tell us in the comments how else you can increase the size?
Contactless methods
Above, I told you how you can quickly break in your shoes yourself, but there are also methods to stretch your shoes without wearing wet or alcohol-soaked socks.
- Steaming.
Hold the shoes over the steam, and then put wads of newspaper inside. Lay them as densely and as large as possible, but try not to disturb the shape. Then we leave the shoes to dry in a dry place (but under no circumstances near the radiator!) for about a day.
The disadvantage of this method is that there is a possible risk of streaks. And also, there is a possibility that after some time the product will dry out and begin to shrink even more.
- Freezing.
A rather unusual, but effective way to widen shoes. We pour water into plastic bags (preferably one with a special clasp) and insert them into the toes of the shoes. We put this pair in the freezer for a day. Freezing, the water will begin to expand and put pressure on the walls of the shoe, thereby stretching it. After the allotted time, we take out the pair, remove the bags and let the shoes “come to their senses” in a dry place.
Partial breaking-in
It often happens that the product fits well in length and is comfortable for the fingers, but the back feels tight. How to deal with it:
- Rub the back of the shoe with paraffin. In just a day you can forget about this problem.
- Knead the back with a hammer. Tap this area very gently until it becomes soft.
Before buying a new pair, you should remember that you cannot take them apart:
- Shoes 2 or more sizes.
- If the shoes are tight in the edging seam.
- Products made from certain artificial materials.
How can a shoe shop help?
There is another way. Almost any shoe shop offers a shoe stretching service. Everything happens simply, you say how much you need to increase, widen your shoes. Then the master looks at the material and its quality, and if everything is real, then he places them on special things. After a day or two, you pick them up and get the size you want.
This method helps some, but not others. I applied for this service a couple of times, but was not satisfied. In the first case, my shoes were overstretched, and in the second, I didn’t feel any changes at all and I still had to use my grandmother’s method of wearing them (with thick socks).
When buying new shoes, it is best to close your eyes and listen to the sensations - whether you are comfortable enough in length, width and instep. The product simply must be comfortable, otherwise it can significantly worsen not only your mood, but also your health.
Wear only the right shoes and don’t forget to share in the comments your ways of how to quickly fit a shoe on your foot!
See you again on my blog,
Anastasia Smolinets
The problem with new shoes in most cases is that they are a little tight. Stretching such a pair will not be difficult. The same procedure may be required if the shoes become stiff after cleaning.
When can you stretch your shoes?
There are many ways that tell you how quickly you can increase your shoe size. It is worth remembering that shoes can only be spread in width, but not in length. This option can be provided in the workshop, but only for certain materials.
Synthetic materials do not stretch well due to their composition. Some materials do not react at all to hot air. Natural compositions are more susceptible to such effects. If the material of the boots is made of dense and thick enough leather, then you don’t have to worry about the product being damaged.
With expensive products made of thin leather and suede, you need to be more careful, since in this case the material can be damaged as a result of mechanical stress. You can stretch the material if the product rubs your feet, as well as if there is some discomfort when wearing it.
However, you should not take on such an event if your shoes are simply too small. It will not be possible to stretch it to the size required. In this case, the skin may simply lose the fats contained in it. This will cause the material to become drier and more brittle. Therefore, after stretching, it is necessary to treat the product with cream.
Genuine leather and suede
Natural materials, such as leather and suede, are quite soft and elastic, and therefore you can stretch shoes made from them even to size at home. Moreover, means such as boiling water and a hair dryer work much better than others, since exposure to heat makes the material more pliable.
Medical alcohol
In addition to alcohol, you can use triple cologne. To apply the method, you need to treat the inner surface of the product with the selected product and then wear it for a couple of hours. You must first test the solution on an inconspicuous area.
Boiling water
This product must be applied quickly. In order for it to take effect, a few seconds are enough, and therefore the event will need to be carried out quite quickly. You should pour boiling water inside the steam and immediately pour it out. Then wait a while, allowing them to cool a little. After this, you need to start breaking in your shoes, not forgetting to first protect the skin of your feet with thick socks.
Groats
You need to insert bags of cereal into the shoes and fill the cereal with water. After this, you need to wait about 8 hours until the cereal swells and acts on the material.
Ice
This remedy is no less effective than boiling water. You need to soften the leather on your shoes with hot water. This can be done as follows: fill plastic bags up to a quarter with hot water, and then put them in the freezer. After complete hardening, you can take out the shoes, wait until the ice begins to melt, and only then take out the bags.
Moisturizing with a towel
You need to soak a towel in boiling water and wrap it around a pair of shoes. In this state, you need to leave the shoes for up to 5 hours, regularly moistening the material.
Cowboy method
This method states that you will need to put plastic bags in the boots and pour bran inside, and then fill them with water. After some time, the mixture will swell and the pressure will increase the size of the vapor.
Farmer's way
This method is similar to some previous ones: you need to replace the cereal and bran with oats and other types of grain that are available on any farm, and then also add water. The grain will begin to swell, making it easy to increase the size of the product.
Patent leather shoes
This procedure on patent leather shoes should be carried out as carefully as possible, since otherwise there is a risk of damaging the top coating. This material can only be stretched if the bottom layer is made of thin natural or artificial leather.
Once you are convinced that this is in fact the case, you can proceed with the operation to increase the size of the pair. This will require the use of an alcohol solution. The main active ingredient must be diluted with water in a ratio of 2:1. This event is not a pleasant one, and therefore you should be sure that the shoes cannot be expanded in other ways.
- You need to soak the socks in the resulting solution, put them on and start wearing the pair for an hour or two, depending on how quickly the socks dry. After this, you need to take care of your feet, since alcohol dries the skin quite strongly.
- You can also use another method. It will require either special pads or your own legs. It is necessary to lubricate the inner surface of the shoes with greasy cream or Vaseline, and then put on the shoes, having previously protected the feet with thick socks. When processing, special attention must be paid to the most rigid and hard areas that need to be stretched more than others.
Rubber shoes
Rubber shoes can be made from different materials. Classic - durable rubber that will be impossible to stretch. The situation is much better when it comes to shoes made from PVC. This material is easily deformable, and therefore increasing the size of such a pair will be quite simple.
First you need to check what the boots or boots are made of. For this you will not need many materials: a lighter or match, a needle, an awl or a knife. The metal object must be held over the fire until it heats up. Then you can try to melt the shoes. This must be done in an inconspicuous area so that no traces of such vandalism remain later.
However, you should not pierce your shoes right through. If the operation is successful, then the stretching procedure can begin. You can stretch tight shoes by using boiling water. You need to pour water into the boots and wait up to five minutes. This time will make the shoes noticeably softer, allowing them to stretch.
It is necessary to put on thick socks made of wool or mohair in advance to protect your feet. Then you need to pour boiling water and thoroughly wipe the inside of the boots with a towel. This is required to avoid getting your feet wet. Subsequently, it’s worth stomping around and walking around in this pair for a while to adjust the size. Then you need to put the shoes in cold water and leave them there for a while. However, you should not wear this pair for the next couple of days so that the material hardens as best as possible.
Nubuck shoes
Nubuck shoes are quite picky in terms of the means that can be used to properly stretch them at home. First of all, you cannot use any greasy creams or Vaseline for this material, since in this case there will be stains and stains on it that will be impossible to remove.
You should also make sure that the pair is made of natural material and not artificial. First of all, you will need to wear the product on your own every day for some time. In most cases this should help. But if a miracle does not happen, then you should resort to other tricks.
In a shoe store you need to purchase special foam, which is designed to stretch narrow shoes. At the same time, you should ensure that it is suitable for this material. Usage is extremely simple: you just need to spread the product over the inner surface of the product, put on thick socks and walk around the house in pairs for several hours.
Children's shoes should be taken to a workshop, where the craftsmen will do everything better using the wooden lasts they have in stock. They can also offer another level of service: lengthening, which is quite difficult to do at home.
Faux leather
Faux leather is quite a complex material that needs to be worn in a certain way. Faux leather stretches quite weakly, and then cracks begin to appear on it, and therefore shoes made from it are quite cheap.
Boiling water
Tight shoes spoil your mood, and to soften artificial leather you need to use regular boiling water. It is worth pouring boiling water into a container and putting the shoes in there, and then stretching them using pads or your own feet. But the method must be used with caution, since not every couple can withstand such violence.
Hairdryer
In most cases, a hair dryer is used if you need to stretch a certain area of your shoes. You can try to heat the steam completely, but in this case the success of the event is less likely, since certain areas will have time to cool down, while others will remain hot.
Therefore, it is necessary to distribute the heat to the tight areas, then put on the shoes with thick socks and wear them until the shoes cool completely.
Cereal products
Depending on the height of the shoes, we can talk about the amount of costs for implementing the method. You need to insert a couple of plastic bags, pour cereal into them and fill them with water. You will need to spend about half a day on stretching, since during this time the cereal will swell and enlarge certain areas.
Newspapers
This method can also be used to widen shoes. However, you should not be too zealous when performing it, since in this case you can deform the shoes rather than stretch them. It is worth putting wet, crumpled sheets of paper inside the pair and letting them dry.
Cream or Vaseline
You can stretch your shoes using these means. However, the method of application is somewhat different from that used for the varnished product. After careful processing, you need to wait until the component is absorbed into the material. This can take up to 3 hours, so be patient. After a long wait, you should wear your shoes for half an hour.
Textile
Tight textile shoes can be worn at home. You will only need to stretch them if they are only a little tight, since in other situations nothing can be done with them.
Since this material is still artificial, it is quite difficult to do anything significant with it. Typically, sneakers and sneakers are made from textiles. The easiest way would be to simply distribute them in the usual way. If this does not help, you need to help in more serious ways.
It is quite easy to deform such shoes, and therefore you should ensure that the product stretches evenly. It is recommended to use newspapers for this. More precisely, you should wet the product in water and stuff it tightly with newspaper. At the same time, you should worry about paint imprinting on the inner lining. There is also another disadvantage of this method - the product may come unglued, and therefore will need to be glued in the future.
General methods
There are methods that may be suitable for different types of products, and therefore require special attention.
Water packs
If your shoes are tight, the easiest way to stretch them is this way. To do this, you need to insert bags with the required amount of water inside the product and place them in the freezer so that the bag does not change shape. Leave until frozen, then defrost and remove the bags of newly melted water.
Newspapers
This method is the most gentle, inexpensive, and also time-saving, since you only need to stuff previously moistened shoes with newspapers, evenly distributing them throughout the insides of the product so as not to deform it where it is not required.
Soap and paraffin
Paraffin can be rubbed onto hard areas, left for several hours, and then removed. You can take shavings of laundry soap, add water to form a paste, which you need to apply to problem areas, and rinse off after a few hours.
Fat cream
This product will help soften your shoes so they don't rub. To do this, it is recommended to thoroughly lubricate the insides of the product, and then wear it for a while to increase the shoe size.
Steam
Steam has a gentle effect, and therefore it is easy to stretch your shoes. To do this, you can use a steam generator, an iron or a pan of boiling water. You need to slightly dampen your shoes and walk around in them at home.
Special means
The market offers a large number of means with which you can easily break in shoes so that they no longer feel too tight. At the same time, they will sit exactly on the leg, since after treatment with the chosen product you will have to wear them in yourself, adjusting them to the size and shape.
Stretch individual parts
It often happens that only a certain area rubs. For example, if the shoes are true to size, but narrower than required. In this case, it is necessary to stretch certain places so that the pair does not rub.
Narrow and hard heel
It is recommended to soften the backdrop with soap or a candle. Also, for this purpose, you can gently and easily tap the back with a hammer. Before using other methods, it is recommended to try to stretch the product by walking in shoes with a woolen or any other thick sock. If it doesn’t help, then after wearing it in like this, you should stuff the product in this place using sock balls or paper and leave it overnight.
Narrow toe
Breaking in shoes that pinch your toes is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Leather and suede shoes can be placed in the freezer with bags of water in the toe area. It is better to moisten varnished and leatherette shoes with alcohol, soap or paraffin in the toe area, and then wear them for a while. You can use a hairdryer to heat the toe of the product and wear the shoes until they cool down.
Stretch the boot
The easiest way to stretch a boot is using the cowboy or farmer method. A freezer will also help, in which you can put your boots with a bag of water in the boot. If the material allows it, then it is better to use boiling water and carry the steam on your own feet.
Depending on the material and type of shoe, different methods must be used. How far can shoes stretch? Not significant. In the case of natural compositions, it is possible to add up to one full size. The best way to do this stretching is in a workshop.
When choosing shoes before a holiday party, there are several nuances to consider:
- Don't go shopping for shoes in the morning. At this time, your feet have not yet gotten tired, and the pair you have chosen will fit you only at the beginning of the working day, in the evening, when your feet swell, such shoes will be uncomfortable and will rub your feet.
- When trying on shoes, always wear a nylon sock; this will not only make the fitting process easier, but will also save you from “surprises” in the form of fungus.
- Products made from leatherette must be chosen exactly according to the foot, while when choosing products from genuine leather and suede, you need to take into account the property of leather and suede to stretch over time, so it’s not scary if the shoes are a little tight for you at first.
What to do if your shoes don't fit
If you nevertheless made a purchase and were wrong with the size, there are several ways to correct the situation even before the party:
- You can wear a pair gradually, starting with walking around the apartment, and then increasing the distance and duration of the route.
- You can go to a repair shop, where, using special tools, the master will give the shoes the desired size.
- You can purchase a break-in solution. It is sold in all household chemical stores. Usually this is a spray or foam that is used to treat the inner surface. After treatment, these shoes are immediately put on and people walk around the apartment for a while. If the above methods are expensive, inconvenient and at the wrong time, then you can resort to traditional methods.
What to do if you need to quickly break in new shoes
- Breaking in shoes using newspapers. The shoes are tightly filled with wet newspapers and left until completely dry. The only negative is the long wait for the newspaper and shoes to dry. It is not recommended to place it near an open heat source (radiator, fireplace, heater) for drying. This can ruin the leather on your shoes.
- Breaking in shoes with vodka. Shoes, the inner surface of which is moistened with vodka or alcohol, are put on thick socks and walked around the apartment until completely dry. Since alcohol evaporates much faster than vodka, the process will not take much time.
- If you don’t have alcohol or vodka, you can replace them with boiling water, although you need to let them cool a little before putting on your shoes.
- Stretching shoes using water bags: You can use the expansion of water when freezing to do this. Bags are inserted into the shoes and filled with water. The main thing here is to observe the measure, otherwise the ice, expanding, will simply tear your shoes.
Everyone is familiar with the situation when shoes fit perfectly in a store, but after a while they begin to rub their feet when walking. If this happens, don't despair. There are several ways to break in shoes that are too tight at home.
Constant compression of the feet leads to impaired blood supply, the appearance of calluses, corns, and in advanced cases, to hallux valgus. Therefore, when even slight discomfort is felt, you need to immediately take emergency measures and look for a method on how to quickly break in your shoes, because otherwise they will not only rub, but also damage your feet.
To avoid blisters from new shoes, do not wear them all day. First, walk in your new clothes for about an hour so that your feet get used to the shoes.
- If you need to wear shoes to work, cover problem areas with adhesive tape. Your walking will be much more comfortable and you will avoid blisters.
- How to break in those shoes that are pinching on the heels? What to do in this case? Experts advise rubbing the back of your shoes with wet soap or candle wax.
- New shoes will put less pressure on your feet if you blot them on the inside with castor oil.
Keep in mind that not all shoes will be broken in. Don’t suffer in vain when your shoes are several sizes too small or are too tight in the seam area of the edging.
It is difficult to stretch oilskin boots. Usually, when trying them on, they don’t press anywhere, but when worn, they begin to rub. To avoid discomfort, it is better to purchase such shoes half a size larger.
In order not to think about how to wear faux leather shoes, when purchasing new clothes, you should take into account the height of the instep and the fullness of the foot. It often happens that the required size does not fit at all and is not even worn, because the foot is much wider, although it fits in length.
Try to plan a trip to the shoe store in the late afternoon, when your feet are slightly swollen. Stick to this rule. Then there is a better chance that you will not have to learn how to break in new shoes.
Stretch natural leather
This material can always be stretched. To break in leather shoes, use a simple but effective method.
- Wet the rags, twist them and put them in new boots or shoes.
- Leave it for a few hours and take it out. During this time, the skin will be saturated with moisture.
- Put thick socks on your feet, put on wet shoes and walk around the apartment in them for about an hour.
- To make the material more elastic and take the shape of the foot, you need to repeat the procedure for several days.
Some people, when asked how to wear shoes at home, advise soaking them in water. It's better not to do this. It is unknown how the new thing will react to such a test. Her insoles may come off or other defects may appear. You shouldn't take risks using drastic methods. You can wear the leather without fear of ruining it.
A good way to break in tight shoes made from natural materials is with wet paper. Usually, old newspaper is used for breaking in.
Wet it, tear it into small pieces and push as many scraps inside as possible, carefully stuffing the toes of your boots or shoes. Wait until the paper is completely dry. This usually takes two days. Pull out the newspaper and try on the shoes. It will become much softer and fit better on your foot. Do not forget that when drying, you should not leave the item near the radiator. The newspapers should dry naturally.
Natural suede
Before stretching shoes made of natural suede at home, you should find out some nuances about the material. This is ordinary leather, only processed in a special way. It is elastic and stretches perfectly. Slightly tight boots or shoes will quickly take on the shape of your feet and stop rubbing if you walk around in them at home for 2 hours for several days. To prevent new shoes from becoming too big over time, you need to buy them in size.
What to do if you really didn’t get the right size and your suede boots hurt your feet?
- The easiest way is to use professional stretching foam. It is sold in specialized stores.
- Use it according to the instructions, carefully spraying from the inside of the product.
- After treatment, you need to walk around a little in shoes, putting cotton socks on your feet.
If you don’t have store-bought foam on hand and you have no idea how to properly stretch suede, vinegar will come to the rescue. Soak a bandage in it and wipe the area that creates calluses. Then you will have to walk around in the shoes for a while so that the shoes soften and fit on your feet.
Suede is a capricious material that is easily damaged. Don't try to stretch it in one go. Wear it in gradually. You can use methods suitable for natural leather. Just do not wet the outside of the product. The liquid creates unsightly stains that are difficult to get rid of.
Patent leather shoes
Shiny patent leather boots look impressive, but you need to be careful when purchasing them. Typically, such shoes rub, are stiff and do not stretch well.
If you are determined to have your favorite model in your wardrobe, try it on carefully. It should fit your leg loosely and not pinch anywhere. Walk around the store in your boots and feel how you feel. Ask to try on a different size if there is the slightest discomfort. Over time, it will only get worse, and you will have to find a way to break in the shoes, the ones that pinch your fingers.
- When patent leather shoes or boots rub your heels, wipe the inside of the back of the item with vinegar.
- The procedure may need to be done several times to achieve noticeable results.
- Do not forget that the top of the shoes cannot be treated with concentrated liquid. This can lead to cracking of the varnish surface, and the fashionable new item will be hopelessly damaged.
If your shoes are too tight and there is callus, lubricate them with fatty cream or castor oil on the inside and outside. Try wearing thick socks.
Can leatherette be stretched?
Breaking in faux leather shoes at home is quite easy if the substitute is made of high-quality material. When the size is smaller than needed, use several proven methods.
A simple and quick option is hot air. You will need a hair dryer to dry your hair.
- First of all, put on thick socks and try to squeeze into your shoes, no matter how tight they are.
- Turn on the hair dryer and direct a stream of hot air to the new material. Increase the temperature gradually and be careful not to let the leather substitute begin to melt. When it warms up well, turn off the device.
- You can't take off your shoes right away. To break in leatherette shoes, wait until they cool down. At this time, it is advisable to walk around the apartment in it.
What to do when new shoes rub your heel and feel tight? Narrow boats can be expanded using an original method - freezing. It is suitable for products not only with good leatherette, but also for genuine leather.
- The method does not require special preparation. Take two thick plastic bags.
- Insert them inside the shoes, carefully fill them with water and tie them tightly. The liquid in the cellophane should fill the entire inside of the shoe.
- Place the product in the freezer for a day. The water will quickly freeze and increase in size. Under its pressure, the leatherette will also stretch.
If you're wondering whether you can expand thickly lined shoes by freezing water in them, it's worth noting that this won't work.
Thin flats can be spread using new potatoes. Peel the tubers of the appropriate size and insert them into the socks of your shoes. The next day, take out the vegetables, wipe the inside of the shoes with a damp cloth, put them on your feet and walk for 3-4 hours without taking them off. The product will no longer chafe. This is a good way to break in faux leather shoes.
Once you have achieved the results and stretched the shoes, stuff them overnight with crumpled newspapers so that the material gets used to its new shape. Otherwise the effect may disappear.
Fabric shoes
It is almost impossible to wear shoes at home if they are made of fabric. If you purchased small shoes for yourself, it is better to return them to the store or give them to friends. Such an unfortunate new thing, alas, always rubs calluses, and you won’t be able to wear it.
Some fabric can stretch if you get it wet and walk around in wet shoes until they dry. But this is an unreliable method, since the material may lose color or become stained. The best advice here is to try on several sizes when purchasing, so as not to make a mistake with your choice. After all, it’s a pity to give up wearing such convenient and comfortable shoes as textile ones.
This problem is familiar to almost everyone: in the store the new shoes fit perfectly, exactly on your feet, and your joy knew no bounds, but as soon as you went to work in them, they began to rub mercilessly. What to do? How to break in tight shoes without hurting your feet or ruining your shoes?
First of all, some tips for buying shoes.
Don't try on new shoes in the morning. Towards evening, the foot swells and becomes a little larger, so experts advise trying on shoes in the afternoon.
Make sure that the position of your feet in new shoes is securely fixed. If they are too narrow, don’t rush to buy shoes a size larger! The foot will “walk” in them, slide, and as a result, calluses cannot be avoided. The main thing is that the shoes fit you perfectly.
How to break in tight shoes? Practical recommendations
No matter how much you like a new pair of shoes, don’t rush to show them off “in public.” First, walk around the room for at least half an hour. Usually the problem is solved within about a week, if you are not lazy and “walk” around your own apartment for 30 minutes every day. If you are afraid of calluses, first apply a plaster to those places on your feet where these “decorations” usually appear.
If you feel that your shoes are a little tight, wet the inside of the shoes with alcohol or vodka before putting them on. After this, immediately put on clean cotton socks and shoes and walk in them for half an hour or an hour.
Another reliable “folk” way to break in tight shoes is to scald them from the inside with a small amount of boiling water and immediately put them on. This method is well suited for shoes made of natural materials - leather, nubuck, suede, velor. The material will stretch under the influence of hot water and “sit” along the leg, taking its shape. And don’t worry – clean water won’t leave any marks on your shoes!
The old proven method of stretching tight shoes is very effective. Shoes should be stuffed with damp, crumpled newspaper and left to dry on their own, not on a radiator or near heating devices, but at natural room temperature. If you warm shoes stuffed with wet paper, they will, of course, dry much faster, but at the same time they will become covered with unsightly lumps, which are almost impossible to get rid of.
One of the easiest ways to stretch tight shoes is to treat the inside of them with a special stretching spray that you can buy at a shoe store. It is worth noting that this spray is only suitable for shoes made from natural materials.
Finally, the main advice is to keep a sense of proportion! If you're a size 39, don't buy size 37 shoes, even if you really like them! And don’t overdo it in trying to stretch new shoes - some overly diligent girls stretch their shoes to such an extent that then they simply lose them almost on the go. If you pay attention to the fitting process, you won’t have to stretch anything.
