How to Stretch Leather Shoes: A Comprehensive Guide

Do your leather shoes feel a little too tight? Are you having trouble putting them on? If so, then it might be time to give them a little stretch.

Although it may seem daunting, stretching leather shoes is relatively easy. With a little bit of time, effort, and the right process you can have your shoes fitting comfortably.

In this article, we will provide methods on how to stretch leather shoes. We’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step.

So whether your shoes are just a little too snug or they’re downright uncomfortable, read on for some helpful tips on how to stretch leather shoes.

How to Widen Leather Shoes Using a Shoe Stretching Spray

Materials Required:

• Shoe stretch spray (Angelus Shoe Stretch Spray, Kiwi SELECT Universal Shoe Stretch, or FootMatters Professional Shoe Stretch Spray recommended)
• Soft cloth or rags
• Thick socks

Note – Before using shoe stretching spray, make sure to read the instructions on the label. Some of these products are not suitable for certain types of leather.

Process:

1. Step 1 – Start by giving your shoes a good cleaning. Take a soft cloth and wipe down the outside of the shoes. This will remove any dirt or debris that might be clogging up the pores of the leather. Moreover, it will allow the spray to penetrate deep into the leather.
2. Step 2 – Next, wear a pair of thick socks and slip your shoes on. If your shoes have laces, tie them tightly.
3. Step 3 – Spray the shoe stretching spray evenly over the entire surface of the leather. Be generous with the amount of spray you use; otherwise, it will not be effective.
4. Step 4 – Walk around in your shoes for about 30 minutes. This will give the leather ample time to stretch and mold to the shape of your foot.
5. Step 5 – After 30 minutes, remove your shoes and socks. Wipe away any excess spray with a soft cloth or rag. 

Shoe stretching sprays are the safest and most effective way to stretch leather shoes. They work seamlessly on all types of leather. If your leather shoes are still too tight, then you can repeat this process.

Check out this video tutorial – 

Use Leather Oil to Stretch Leather Shoes

Materials Required:

• Leather oil (Obenauf’s Leather Oil, Sof Sole Mink Oil, or Bickmore Pure Neatsfoot Oil recommended)
• Soft cloth or rags
• Thick socks

Note – Before using leather oil on the entire surface, it’s always best to do a patch test first. Apply a small amount of oil to an inconspicuous area. Wait 20 minutes to see how the leather reacts. If there’s no adverse reaction, please proceed.

Process:

1. Step 1 – Take a soft cloth and wipe down the outside of your shoes.
2. Step 2 – Apply a generous amount of leather oil to the entire surface of the leather. Allow the shoes to sit for about 15 minutes so the oil can penetrate deep into the leather. Avoid oiling the area around the lace eyelets. Oiling lace eyelets can stretch the holes and cause the eyelets to fall out.
3. Step 3 – Next, take a thick sock and put it on. Wear your shoes as well. Tighten the laces if your shoes have them.
4. Step 4 – Take a 45-minute stroll around your house. As a result, the leather will stretch and take the shape of your foot.
5. Step 5 – After 45 minutes, remove your shoes and socks. Wipe away any excess oil with a soft cloth or rag.

Repeat this process twice for effective results. Be sure to use leather oil that is specifically designed for the type of leather your shoes are made of. Using the wrong kind of oil can damage your shoes.

How to Stretch Leather Shoes With Steam

Materials Required:

• Garment steamer
• Gloves
• Leather conditioner
• Soft cloth or rag

Process:

1. Step-1 – Fill your garment steamer with water and turn it on. Direct the nozzle towards the shoes and allow the steam to penetrate the leather for about 30 seconds. Make sure to hold the steamer about six inches away from your shoes. Also, keep moving the streamer around, so it evenly distributes the steam.
2. Step-2 – Wear gloves and gently massage the shoes in a circular motion. Keep massaging for 5 minutes. This will help the leather to stretch and become more pliable. Allow the shoes to cool for about 10 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
3. Step-3 – Wear your shoes and take a walk around your house. Walk for at least 15 minutes. As you walk, the leather will start to mold and take the shape of your foot.
4. Step-4 – After walking, remove your shoes and wipe them down with a soft cloth or rag. Then, apply a generous amount of leather conditioner all over the surface. This will help to keep the leather supple and prevent it from drying out.

Using steam regularly will damage the leather over time. Damages include cracks, wrinkles, and loss of color. So, use this method sparingly (once a month only). When you do use it, make sure to condition your shoes afterward.

If you don’t have a garment steamer, you can also use a tea kettle. Boil water in the kettle. Wear gloves and hold your shoes on top of the kettle so the steam can reach them. Follow the rest of the steps above.

How to Stretch Leather Shoes With Hair Dryer or Blow Dryer

Materials Required:

• Hair dryer or Blow dryer
• Thick socks
• Leather conditioner

Process:

1. Step 1 – Put on a pair of thick socks and wear your shoes. Now, walk around for 15 minutes.
2. Step 2 – Next, turn on the device and set it to the highest heat setting. While wearing the shoes, direct the hot air towards the toe box and any other tight areas. Keep heating them for roughly 20 seconds. The heat helps to loosen the fibers in the leather and make it more pliable.
3. Step 3 – After heating the shoe, walk around in them. Keep walking until the leather cools off completely. To achieve a better stretch, curl, bend, and wriggle your toes as you walk.
4. Step 4 – Once they’ve cooled, remove your shoes and socks. Then, apply a leather conditioner all over the surface to keep the leather from drying out.

The heating method is very effective but can also damage your shoes if you’re not careful. Be sure to hold the hair dryer or blow dryer at least six inches away from your shoes. Also, don’t heat them for more than 20 seconds at a time.

Here is a video tutorial to help you out – 

How to Stretch Leather Shoes With a Shoe Stretcher

Materials Required:

• Shoe stretcher
• Shoe stretching spray or leather oil

Process:

1. Step 1 – Begin by spraying the shoe stretching spray or applying the leather oil all over the surface of your shoes. Let the shoes sit for about five minutes so the lubricant can penetrate the leather.
2. Step 2 – Next, insert the shoe stretcher into the shoe. Turn the T-Handle and Lengthening Drum to expand the shoe stretcher. Keep turning the handles until you feel resistance.
3. Step 3 – Leave the shoe stretcher for at least 12 hours to work its magic. The lubricant makes the leather flexible, while the shoe stretcher puts pressure on the leather and stretches it out.
4. Step 4 – After 12 hours have passed, remove the shoe stretcher. Immediately wear your shoes and walk around for 10 minutes. You’ll notice that your shoes feel much more comfortable now.

Using shoe stretchers is one of the best methods to stretch leather shoes. It’s gentle, effective, and doesn’t require any special skills or materials. It takes a bit of time for the stretcher to work its magic, but it’s well worth the wait.

You can watch a video tutorial here – 

Use Adjustable Shoe Trees for Stretching Leather Shoes

Materials Required:

• Adjustable shoe trees
• Shoe stretching spray or leather oil

Process:

Using adjustable shoe trees is quite similar to using a shoe stretcher. The only difference is that you’ll need to keep the shoe tree in your shoes for at least 18 hours. Please follow the same detailed instruction as above.

The Freezing Method

Materials Required:

• Water
• Two ziplock bags
• Freezer
• Towel
• Leather conditioner

Process:

1. Step 1 – Begin by filling two ziplock bags with water. Ensure that the ziplock bag has some space for water to expand.
2. Step 2 – Put the water-filled ziplock bags into leather shoes. Push the bags down as far as possible
3. Step 3 – Place your shoes in the freezer and leave them overnight. As water freezes, it expands. This expansion will cause the leather to stretch out slightly.
4. Step 4 – In the morning, take your shoes out of the freezer and remove the ziplock bags. Place them on a towel. Let the shoes thaw for 15 to 30 minutes.
5. Step 5 – Once the leather shoes have thawed, apply leather conditioner all over the surface. Wear the shoes and check the fit.

The freezing method is an unconventional way to stretch leather shoes, but it’s effective. As your footwear is kept in the fridge, it will get wet. Water will damage the leather and ruin it if you use this method too often.

We do not recommend using this method on new shoes. Use this method only as a last resort.

Here is a video to help you out – 

Use Oats, Grains, or Rice

Materials Required:

• Oats, grains, or rice (any ingredient that can swell by absorbing water)
• Two ziplock bags
• Water

Process:

1. Step 1 – Fill two ziplock bags with your chosen ingredient. Add enough water such that the ingredient is fully submerged. Seal the bags.
2. Step 2 – Place the ziplock bags in your shoes. Leave them overnight. Make sure to tuck the bag as far into the toe box as you can. If your shoes have laces, tighten them. The ingredient in the bag will absorb water and swell up. This expansion will put pressure on the leather and eventually stretch it.
3. Step 3 – In the morning, remove the ziplock bags. Dump out the ingredients. Let your shoes air out for 10 minutes. Now, wear your shoes to check the fit.

Utilizing oats, grains, or rice is an old-fashioned way to stretch leather shoes. Please remember to store grain-filled shoes in an area where insects or rodents can’t get to them.

Stretch Leather Shoes With a Soap 

Materials Required:

• Soap
• Plastic wrap

Process:

1. Step 1 – Wrap a soap bar in plastic wrap. Make sure the soap is well-covered so that no residue is left inside.
2. Step 2 – Insert the soap bar. Make sure to push it towards the toe end of the shoe. Tighten the shoe laces. Leave the soap inside for at least 8 hours. Soap has an elongated shape which will help to stretch the width of your shoes.
3. Step 3 – After removing the soap, wear your shoes. Walk around for at least 15 minutes. Doing this will help set the new shape of your shoes. Repeat the process twice for the best results.

Use a Tennis Ball

Materials Required:

• Tennis ball
• Knife

Process:

• Step 1 – Cut a tennis ball in half using a knife.
• Step 2 – Take one-half of the tennis ball and place it inside your shoe. Push it as far back as you can towards the toe end. Leave it inside for 24 hours.

How to Stretch Leather Shoes With Newspaper

Materials Required:

• Old newspapers

Process:

1. Step 1 – Ball up some old newspapers.
2. Step 2 – Fill the shoe with newspapers. Make sure to stuff them tightly such that no space is left inside.
3. Step 3 – Leave the newspapers inside for 24 hours. After that, take them out and wear your shoes.

Newspapers can also be substituted with socks, paper towels, or cloth.

The Potato Hack

Materials Required:

• Large potato
• Paper towel
• Plastic wrap
• Knife

Process:

1. Step 1 – Wash the potato thoroughly and pat dry it. Make sure the potato’s shape matches the opening of the shoe. If not, cut the potato accordingly.
2. Step 2 – Wrap the potato in plastic wrap.
3. Step 3 – Place the wrapped potato inside. Leave it for 12 hours.
4. Step 4 – In the morning, take out the potato. Wear your shoes and check the fit.

Effects of Stretching Leather Shoes

Stretching leather shoes will have some adverse effects. Some of them are listed below:

• Shoes might lose their shape.
• They might not provide the same level of support.
• Development of cracks and wrinkles.
• Causes change in color, especially with heating methods.
• Reduce the lifespan of the shoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens if You Wear Tight Leather Shoes? 

As per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons wearing tight leather shoes can cause blisters, corns, and calluses. It can also lead to ingrown toenails, hammertoes, and bunions.

Can You Use Alcohol to Stretch Leather Shoes? 

No, alcohol should not be used to stretch leather shoes. Alcohol causes leather to dry out, resulting in cracks, wrinkling, and peeling of leather.

How to Stretch Leather Shoe’s Toe Box? 

You can stretch the toe box using –

• Hairdryer or blowdryer
• Freezer or ice
• Oats, grains, or rice
• Soap
• Newspapers
• Potato

How to Stretch Leather Shoe’s Instep?

The best way to stretch instep is using a Vamp and Instep Raiser. Other methods include using –

• Hairdryer or blow dryer
• Garment steamer
• Shoe stretch spray
• Leather oil

The Bottom Line

There are several ways to stretch leather. We have outlined the most effective methods.

Remember to be patient and take your time when stretching your footwear. Rushing the process will only damage your shoes. If all else fails, remember that professional shoe repair shops are always an option.

We have a very detailed guide on how to stretch shoes for wide feet. This guide covers ways to stretch a variety of shoes.

Now, if you have the opposite problem – your shoes are a size or two bigger – read our guide on how to make big shoes fit.

We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you learn how to stretch leather shoes. If you have any questions or would like to share your stretching methods, please leave a comment below.

Happy Stretching!