How to Use Shoe Stretcher

An excellent pair of shoes will always make you smile. Having feet without blisters and calluses is the ultimate feeling, and you shouldn’t settle for anything less. It is no secret that ill-fitting shoes are common, and you are left limping instead of hopping. Thankfully,  this is not the end of the story. If you have uncomfortable shoes, you can stretch them so that they fit better and restore comfort to your aching feet by using a handy shoe stretcher. If you need to stretch your shoes both widthwise and lengthwise, you should use a 2-way shoe stretcher. Furthermore, it helps treat trouble spots such as bunions,  corns, calluses, and hammertoes.

We sometimes have a tough time finding the perfect shoe for us. There’s a chance I have at least one pair in my closet gathering dust and it’s not because I don’t want to wear them; more likely, it’s because the shoes are uncomfortable. It was obvious they were a bit tight, but you still bought them (and you aren’t the only one, I promise).

When you buy a new pair of shoes, they should be comfortable and fit well. But sometimes your favorite shoes just don’t seem to want to cooperate. This is where the shoe stretcher comes in! The shoe stretcher can help stretch out any tight spots or spaces that might be preventing your feet from feeling their best. In this post, we’ll show you how to use a shoe stretcher easily on your own!

What is a Shoe Stretcher?

A shoe stretcher works better than other home remedies when it comes to stretching shoes out. The device allows you to break in a pair of shoes without hurting your feet. The shoe expanders are made from wood, plastic, and metal and shaped like an actual foot.

By wearing a pair of shoes that are too snug, you can avoid the pain and wait time associated with breaking them in. This also contributes to the alleviation of pressure points around your shoe, which is beneficial for good foot health.

How do Shoe Stretchers Work Best?

There are limitations to shoe stretchers, even though there are ways for us to enhance our comfort. It is more effective on some materials than on others. The maximum effectiveness of stretchers is achieved when using materials such as leather, suede, and other natural materials.

The synthetic materials such as polyurethane, vinyl, and other synthetics do not function very well in stretchers as they return quickly to their original size. If they are made of an artificial material, then the stretchers can still be used, but you must comply with the process every time you put them on.

Types of Shoe Stretchers

Shoes stretchers are available in various types depending on the type of footwear.

One-way shoe stretcher

You can purchase a one-way shoe stretcher that will give you more wiggle room by expanding the toe area only.

Two-way shoe stretcher

The two-way shoe stretcher allows the total shoe to be lengthened and widened by simultaneously stretching and widening the shoe. As a result, the shoes will be perfectly fitted and extremely comfortable.

Specifically designed shoe stretcher

Specifically designed for boots of great length, the boot stretcher comes with an extended handle to allow for greater expansion.

When to Use

A shoe stretcher is useful in a number of situations.

• You probably need a bit more wiggle room in your shoes if your feet are swollen from standing all day or sitting all day-or if you are pregnant. We recommend seeking medical attention if swelling becomes worse or if you experience chronic swelling, as this may be a symptom of an underlying condition.

• If you are between two sizes or suffering from common foot problems, you might want to consider using a shoe stretcher. These issues can be alleviated by using shoe stretchers.

• There are some that target blisters and pinching so they can make changes to those areas. In these types of shoe stretchers, plugged holes are typically built into which the shoe is stretched in the desired spot.

• However, since shoe stretchers provide more flexibility, they are most effective in breaking in footwear made of natural materials (such as suede or leather).

• The purpose of them is also to stretch a shoe that fits well, but is only a little small.

Do Your Shoes Need to Be Stretched?

We will show you how to stretch your shoes in the following article.

Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• There is no need for Stretcher Spray, although it is an option.
• Both right and left shoes can be stretched with a variety of stretchers. The other shoe may need stretching, so you may buy two stretchers, or stretch each individually.
• It works for stretching in width, in length, and for “Spot Stretching” problem areas.

Shoes Stretching Instructions

You can stretch your shoes by following these steps. Reading carefully should avoid mistakes and broken shoes, but you should not worry about being too precise.

Step 1: Set Up the Stretcher

• The shoe stretcher must be fully closed in order for it to fit into your shoe!
• For this, you should turn the metal “T” handle against the clock. After that, we will close the Toe Block.
• By spinning the Lengthening Drum clockwise, push the Heel Block against the Toe Block. If you don’t do this, inserting the heel block will be hard.
• When stretching a specific area of your shoe, insert a Bunion Plug at the point where the problem is located

Step 2:. Insertion of the Stretcher

• Push the toe block outward after you’ve placed it in your shoe. Ideally, you should be able to feel the leather of the shoes, as well as the plugs that are attached.
• Then press the stretcher towards your laces and insert the heel block into your shoe.
• As you gently wiggle and push the heel of your shoe, you must be mindful not to damage it.

Step 3: Stretch That Puppy

• Any time you stretch, you should move your heel block to the back of your shoe as far as possible. Otherwise, stretching will be ineffective.
• Simply turn the Lengthening Drum counterclockwise a little further to lengthen your shoe from front to back. There will be a feeling of tightness. Don’t be too tight.
• The metal “T” handle should be rotated counterclockwise to stretch the width. The toe block of the stretcher is then opened up allowing you to extend the width of your shoe.
• Give your shoe a few extra cranks whenever it feels snug at the toe block. Additionally, this step will also push the bunion plugs attached to the side of your shoes.
• Do not overstretch. By stretching too fast and hard, you can damage or tear shoes.

Step 4: Wait and Release

• In your shoes with a stretcher, at least eight hours should pass.
• Once again, you’ll need to close up the stretcher and wiggle it out.
• To remove the stretcher, first wiggle out the heel block.

Step 5: Wear Your Newly Strengthened Shoe

Do you think it fits? Does that feel much better? Is it too tight? Do you need to stretch it out a little more? Do we need to focus on another problem area? Whenever necessary, repeat the process.

When you have finished with only one side shoe (the right shoe), it is now time for the left shoe.

Benefits of a Shoe Stretcher

We put a lot of strain on our feet throughout the day, don’t you think they deserve to be well taken care of? Just because they look good, why make them suffer by wearing ill-fitting boots and shoes?

Having a shoe stretcher available is beneficial in my opinion, so here are a few reasons why you should keep one on hand.

1. Buying expensive shoes or boots that don’t fit well is a waste of money. All that money goes to waste if you keep them in the closet. Rather than regretting your purchase of those boots, use a shoe stretcher to fit them perfectly to your feet.
2. The process of breaking in new boots can take several weeks until you are completely pain-free in them. As you won’t need to break into the shoes yourself, a shoe stretcher can help relieve the pain.
3. In addition to saving you time and energy, shoe stretchers will also prevent you from having to try to expand your boots by other methods, which may or may not always work.
4. Shoe stretchers are equipped with a special spot-stretching plug that relieves the pain of corns, calluses, bunions, and blisters resulting from wearing boots and shoes that don’t fit.

FAQ

How long does it take for a shoe stretcher to work?

5-8 full turns are necessary to turn the heel block completely back into the shoe. After 6 – 8 hours, check the stretcher to make sure it fits. The stretcher can be put back in if you require further stretching. A perfect fit may take one to two days.

How do wooden shoe stretchers work?

Place the toe block first in your shoe and then push it outward. If you attached any plugs to it, and feel it through the shoe leather, you are ready to go. While swiveling the heel block downward in your shoe, push the stretcher up to the laces.

Does shoe stretch spray really work?

In other words, they can, but they will not increase your shoes by completely a size. In other words, you will gain up to a half-inch of space and relief from pressure points. Depending on how much room you need at the toes or how wide you’d like your boot to be, you can stretch the boot length or width.

Are wooden shoe stretchers better than plastic?

A wooden shoe stretcher is most common. From a quality standpoint, wood stretchers are preferred. The plastic shoe stretchers, however, are generally cheaper than a good wooden shoe stretcher, and many of them are available in pairs.

Conclusion

The shoe stretcher is a relatively simple tool that can help stretch out tight spots in your favorite shoes so they’ll be more comfortable for you to wear. In this post, we’ve talked about how to use a shoe stretcher. We hope you find it helpful and informative!