There are many ways to modify uncomfortable boots. If you are having trouble wearing yours or they don't fit well in some places on your calf or foot, some of the tricks described below may work. Stretching the boots to a full size is very difficult, but if they are leather and you use the right tools (liquids and stretchers), then you can try. Remember that it may take multiple tries, especially if your boots are made of synthetic material.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: With Ice
Step 1. Learn to apply this technique correctly
This is a simple but effective method if you need to make small changes, but don't expect to change the size of your footwear by a full size. For such a work you would need special liquids and a shoe tree.
This method works by expanding the water during freezing which pushes the shoe material. The boot will not get wet and will not become wrinkled or damaged
Step 2. Partially fill two freezer bags with water
Choose sealable bags and fill them about 1/3 of their capacity. Try to get rid of as much air as possible before closing them again.
- Choose pouches that can fit tightly into the boot leg. The one-liter ones are excellent for the toe and heel of the shoe, while the 4-liter ones are more suitable for the calf area.
- To get rid of excess air, seal the bag as well as possible, leaving only a small gap. Press the bag gently until it is almost flat.
- Remember that bags that are not specifically designed for the freezer could break, leak water in the boot and damage it.
Step 3. Slip the bags into the shoes, in the area you want to enlarge
Slip each bag into each boot. If you are interested in deforming the toe, tilt the shoe and push the bag as far as possible.
If you want to widen the calf, put some newspaper in first and then the bag so that the bag doesn't slide down
Step 4. Leave the boots in the freezer overnight
You will have to wait at least 8-12 hours. Unlike most liquids, water expands as it solidifies creating pressure inside the shoe.
If the bags slide out when you move the boots, then tilt them forward and block them with wood or any other object that will keep them stable
Step 5. Thaw the bags for 20 minutes or more
Remove the boots from the freezer and wait for the ice to melt a bit before taking out the bags. The time required depends on the ambient temperature.
Do not try to take out the bags when they are still frozen, you could damage the footwear
Step 6. Put on the boots
You should feel some difference in the enlarged area. If you feel that they are still too tight or the fabric tends to return to its original shape, repeat the treatment.
Method 2 of 5: With Liquids
Step 1. Choose a suitable liquid
A 50% mixture of alcohol and water works quite well if you don't want to buy a specific product. This technique speeds up the normal fitting process of footwear when worn for some time or you can combine it with the use of a shoe tree for more substantial modifications.
- Specific liquids for leather Not they work with synthetic boots and vice versa. Some products are intended for patent leather footwear or other categories of material, so read the labels carefully.
- Dilute the alcohol in equal parts with water to avoid damaging the surface of the boots.
- Read the labels for special instructions. If a particular product requires specific application procedures, follow them.
Step 2. Prepare the work surface
Lay down a few sheets of newspaper to catch splashes and drops, or work on concrete if you don't mind getting it dirty.
Do not use colored newspaper as the ink may transfer to the material of the boots
Step 3. Test on a small area of the footwear
Choose an inconspicuous corner, such as the back of the heel or the inside of the tongue. Apply a small amount of liquid and wait for it to dry. If any stains remain, change the liquid or method.
- Test the inside of the tongue only if it's made from the same material as the rest of the boot.
- Check for stains in both natural and artificial light if possible.
Step 4. Rub or spray the liquid over the entire area
Apply the liquid to the area you want to enlarge until the skin appears moist or, in the case of synthetic materials, visibly wet.
- If you need to spray the liquid, keep the nozzle 12 cm away from the boot.
- You can apply the product both inside and outside the footwear, it will still work.
- If you notice that it starts dripping from the shoe, stop and soak up the excess with a cloth.
Step 5. Put on a pair or two of thick socks
Your feet need to be more "bulky" than usual to apply pressure from inside the shoe.
If the boots are just a little tight, just one pair of socks is enough. Use two if you need to change the size substantially
Step 6. Walk with your boots on
Do this as long as they are moist and flexible. Try to wear them for the rest of the day and walk a lot to make them as wide as possible.
If your footwear hurts, don't walk in it and skip to the next step
Step 7. If your boots need a major modification, it is best to use shoe trees
The result offered by a double pair of socks may not be enough; if the boots are too tight buy a shoe tree and use it all night:
- Find a stretcher to adjust the area of the boots you want to widen. Some models are specific for the toe, for the sole or for the calf area, while others work on the entire shoe.
- Insert the tool into the boots. It will have the shape of a foot and can normally enter the shoe. If, on the other hand, you only need to enlarge the calf area, insert the tubular instrument.
- Rotate the handle of the tool a couple of times until you notice the boot material stretches. Don't overdo it though!
- Leave the shoetree in place for 8 to 48 hours. One night will be enough to make the boots a little more comfortable, to change them to a full size will take up to two days.
Method 3 of 5: With Stretchers
Step 1. Choose the right tool
Buy one that fits the area you need to enlarge or you will end up with deformed boots. Tensioners are an excellent solution for the most important changes, especially when used in combination with a specific liquid.
- A two-way stretcher works both on the length and width of the boot.
- A tip tool acts only on that area.
- There are models to widen the instep area.
- A calf dilator will work on the tubular area of the boot. The term “shoe tree” or “shoe stretcher” refers to a wide variety of tools for changing the size of shoes. So make sure you buy the one that's right for you.
- If you don't know the size of your boots, take them to the store and compare them to the dilator. Each tool is suitable for a few sizes and is not necessarily correct for your footwear.
Step 2. Prepare the boots with dilator liquid (optional)
The material the footwear is made of will be much more flexible if you apply a liquid and the changes will be easier.
- If you don't want to buy the liquid, make a 50% mixture of alcohol and water.
- Make sure that the liquid you choose is suitable for the material of your footwear and then apply it on the areas you want to enlarge until they are moistened. Continue with the next step immediately.
Step 3. Slip the dilator into the boots
Use the knob to adjust the dilator tension before putting it in your shoes. If the knob tends to deform the ankle area, you will need to lower the boot zipper or use a dilator with a different knob.
Step 4. Turn the knob to widen the overshoe
Turn it, usually counterclockwise, to widen the tool. You should see or feel the material expanding only in the areas of action of the dilator.
Usually 1-3 rotations are required, but you will need to evaluate this by looking directly at the boots
Step 5. Wait
This usually takes 24-48 hours, but if you are concerned that the boots are too big, you should try them on after 8 hours.
If you feel they are still tight, slide the dilators back on or apply more liquid first
Method 4 of 5: With the Hair Dryer
Step 1. Be aware of the risks
Excessive heat can damage the boots, so never point the blow dryer directly at or heat them up for too long. This method is only suitable for making a pair of boots that are already fine slightly more comfortable, but certainly not for altering the size.
Step 2. Wear thick socks, two pairs offer even better tension
You won't have to wear the boots for a long time, so don't worry about hurting your feet.
Step 3. Turn on the hair dryer
Point it in the area of the footwear you want to enlarge. Keep it at a distance of about 10 cm and only for a few seconds.
Move your foot inside the boot trying to straighten the toe for good results
Step 4. Wear them until they are cool
Walk in your boots until the heat has dissipated.
If walking is too painful, try to sit up and spread your boots apart by moving your feet inside them
Step 5. Test the boots with normal socks and repeat the treatment if necessary
If you see that they are still too tight, warm them up and walk again.
Step 6. Apply a leather softener (optional)
The heat dries the leather and makes it chapped, so a cream that softens the fabric is very suitable in this case to preserve the boots.
Synthetic materials such as vinyl do not need to be rehydrated with the softener
Method 5 of 5: Handle the Boots During the Enlargement Process
Step 1. Avoid getting them wet
Someone probably advised you to get your leather boots wet to speed up the process. Even if this method works, be aware that the risk of damaging the shoes is very high and they will become wrinkled when dry.
When widening your boots with ice, be sure to use freezer bags only and that the seal is airtight
Step 2. Do not expose the boots to high temperatures for too long
Heat weakens the materials; if your boots have gotten wet, wait for them to air dry naturally instead of placing them in front of a heat source. This way you reduce the risk of them becoming rippled.
Be very careful when trying to blow-dry your boots for these reasons
Step 3. Don't force yourself to wear boots that hurt you
If you feel pain when walking, you need a more effective stretching technique than just “waiting for them to fit”. Try ice or use a shoe tree to get the right size.
Advice
- Synthetic materials tend to return to their original form. Before you deform them permanently, you will have to enlarge them many times.
- If you can't get your boots apart with these methods, take them to a cobbler.
Warnings
- Once spread out, the boots will no longer revert to their previous shape.
- If your leather boots become soaked in water, wait for them to dry naturally without heating them to prevent them from wrinkling.
