HOW DO YOU STRETCH YOUR SHOES WITHOUT HURTING YOUR FEET?

How many haven't tried buying a new pair of shoes. You put them on and try to break them in quickly, but it just ends with sores and blisters. It can seem impossible to widen shoes, and you just get more and more frustrated. You lose the desire to wear your new shoes.

If this sounds a bit too familiar to you, then there is good news in this blog post. Read on to find out how to widen your shoes and which tool you should use.Widening shoes is a topic not many talk about. Many who buy new shoes from us buy leather shoes, such as Adidas Forum and Superstars. That means many have problems widening their shoes, widening shoes in width, and breaking them in quickly.

And we understand your frustration. You want to wear your new shoes, and preferably now. Here's what you need to do.

You need a shoe stretcher

Use a shoe stretcher to widen shoes

What is it? A tool for stretching shoes that you put inside the shoe. You may have seen shoe stretchers lying in stores before. It is used to widen shoes in width and to make them more comfortable to walk in, without having to break them in.

Shoe stretchers are probably the most effective tool to widen your shoes. Stretching shoes is also not difficult. You might want to watch a quick video on YouTube before using a shoe stretcher.

Which shoes can you use a shoe stretcher on?

Technically, you can use shoe stretchers on all shoes and sneakers, but it doesn't have an effect on all shoes. Leather shoes are a good example where you can use shoe stretchers. Leather is a living material. Often leather shoes feel tight and uncomfortable the first time you wear them. A shoe stretcher helps with that.

Can stretching shoes damage my leather shoes?

There are many different ways, some better than others, to widen shoes. Stretching shoes is one of the most natural and harmless methods.

Shoe stretchers are a simple tool made specifically for widening shoes. You won't find a method that is safer and more tested.

Can you do it wrong?

Yes, you actually can, but if your shoes get damaged or break, then you haven't paid attention to how the tool should be used at all. I am tempted to say that you can only ruin your shoes with a shoe stretcher if you really want to.

Before you use a shoe stretcher

If you've never used one before, we recommend you go through these points to learn how to do it and what not to do.

Research:

There are many different types of shoe stretchers, all suited for different uses.

Make sure you choose the right shoe stretcher for your shoes.

Test it out:

If you just bought a new pair of shoes and need to widen them, make sure to try the tool first. Many of our shoes are rare and sometimes expensive. It would be a shame to ruin your new shoes because you didn't take the time to test your shoe stretcher first.

Use your shoe stretcher on a pair of your other shoes first. Learn how to adjust the tool. When you feel confident, you can use it on your new shoes.

Ask for advice:

If necessary, you can always ask others for advice on how to widen your shoes with shoe stretchers.

There are videos on YouTube, and you can always ask at your local shoe store.

Hey, you can even give us a call if you want

Benefits of using shoe stretchers

Shoe stretchers, sometimes called shoe trees, are not only good for widening your shoes.

There are different types of shoe stretchers and shoe trees, each with different functions.

Avoid creases and cracks

Besides widening your shoes, you can also use shoe stretchers to avoid creases and cracks in your leather shoes.

Imagine this. You walk around in your shoes all day. They expand and stretch. The material gives.

But what happens when the material is allowed to relax? When the expansion fades, creases and cracks can appear in the leather. A bit like if you pull hard on a t-shirt. It never quite becomes the same again.

You can avoid this by putting shoe stretchers in your shoes when you're not wearing them. This way, your shoe and its materials remain in the position they are made to be in. You avoid the material cracking because the shoe stays slightly expanded, as if there was a foot in them.

Avoid moisture and odor

Shoe stretchers made of wood can help your shoes have a longer and healthier life.

Wood is a living and breathable material. When you put shoe trees in your shoes after a long and active day, the wood helps your shoes dry out.

You ensure your shoes have a good living environment and avoid them developing odors.

Your shoes last longer

By having shoe stretchers in your shoes when you're not using them, you ensure your new shoes have a much longer life than they normally would.

Mainly for the reasons mentioned above.

Shoe stretchers are therefore not only good for widening your shoes and making them comfortable to walk in - they are also made to give the shoe a longer and nicer life.

Other methods to widen shoes

Besides shoe stretchers, you will find many other methods and tips to widen your shoes.

For example, all kinds of methods using heat, or even boiling water, something with potatoes, etc.

We do not recommend you try those. We recommend you use the tool designed for widening shoes, not home remedies you can't control as well.

Heat exposure and too much moisture over a long time can damage your shoes if you don't dry them properly - don't try it.

Besides shoe stretchers, you can get spray for widening shoes, but the easiest and safest method will always be a shoe stretcher.

Does a shoe stretcher not work?

If you've tried using a shoe stretcher before without effect, it might be that you bought shoes that are too small.

Most brands vary in their sizes. That means an Adidas size 43 feels different than a Nike size 43.

Check a size guide before buying new shoes - you can find size guides for all the shoes we sell under "frequently asked questions" here.

Ask Sneakerzone

If you ever have doubts about how to take care of your shoes, how to widen them, or which size to choose, you can always reach out to us.

We are ready and happy to answer all your questions about sneakers. Thanks for reading.