When you’ve got boots that fit just right, they’re some of the most comfortable and versatile shoes you’ll own, suitable for daily wear and sometimes even special occasions. But if the fit is even slightly off, you’ll be cursing the day you bought them. To alleviate the pressure of too-tight shoes, you need to enlist the help of a boot stretcher. FootFitter boot stretchers save you money by making it easy to stretch shoes at home – no cobbler necessary.
To begin, select a boot stretcher that meets your needs.
Types of boot stretchers:
- Basic boot stretcher – Stretches the width of the toe box to reduce boot break-in period.
- Boot vamp stretcher (typically combined with an instep boot stretcher) – Frees up space in the vamp and instep area. Great for people with high arches.
- Calf stretcher (also known as a shaft stretcher) – Frees up space in the shaft of the boot.
- Western boot stretcher – Specially designed for cowboy boots, the Western boot stretcher frees up space in the toe box.
Today we’ll be covering the basic boot stretcher.
A few things to note before we start:
- The basic boot stretcher works for both the right and left shoe.
- Boot stretchers stretch shoes, but they are not miracle workers. If you need to go a half size to a full size up, a boot stretcher will get you there. But if your shoes are 2 sizes too big, consider purchasing a new pair of shoes.
- Boot stretchers work best on natural materials like leather and canvas. While the boot stretcher will stretch synthetic materials, you may need to repeat the process again in the future to retain the stretch. Synthetic materials like polyurethane tend to revert back to their original size over time.
How to use a boot stretcher:
- Prepare your boot for stretching by first spraying the inside and outside with the FootFitter Shoe Stretch Spray. Concentrate on areas that are particularly tight.
- Insert spot stretching plugs where you need pressure point relief.
- Place the boot stretcher into the shoe. Ensure the toe block is fully closed and that it touches the end of the toe box.
- Turn the handle to ensure the fit is snug. Rotate the handle clockwise to make the toe box wider. It’ll take 2 – 3 full turns before you can see the boot expanding.
- Leave the stretcher in for 6 – 8 hours, and then check for fit. If you need additional stretching, put the stretcher back in and wait another 8 hours. It may take 1 – 2 days to achieve the right fit.
- To remove the shoe stretcher, turn the handle counterclockwise.
CAUTION: Do not leave your shoe stretcher in your boots for too long, as overstretching shoes will make them too loose.
Check out our full line of FootFitter boot stretchers at FootFitter.com.
