A boot, particularly a pair of leather boots, is one of the most important aspects of your ensemble. Not only should they compliment your style, but they should also be comfortable enough to spend the whole day walking around in them.
When you purchase a boot that is just a little too tight here and there, you may question whether the boot can be stretched a bit to accommodate your feet.
So, do leather boots stretch? Yes, leather boots naturally expand due to regular wear and tear. As you wear the boots, the weight and stress you place on them will gradually force the boots to conform to the shape of your feet and become more comfortable. However, the modification will be minor, and it will not be sufficient to make up for incorrect sizing.
In this guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about why leather shoes stretch, how to stretch leather shoes, and how to prevent having to stretch leather boots in the future.
Why Do Leather Boots Stretch?
Real leather is a natural material that has been designed to expand over time. Leather is naturally supple, and it can stretch and shift when subjected to pressure.
When you walk about in your boots, the pressure from your feet causes the leather to expand naturally, without the need for any additional effort or pressure. Furthermore, leather grows softer and smoother over time as it expands, ultimately taking on a weathered appearance.
Because leather naturally extends, it is best to keep your boot size as close to your shoe size as possible. However, although stretching may not be sufficient to correct size problems, it is sufficient to ensure that a boot that first felt unpleasant gradually becomes properly tailored to the specific form of your foot.
It will take time for the stretching process to complete, and 100 hours of usage is a good general amount to utilize as a break-in period.
How To Make Leather Shoes Stretch
The following instructions will show you how to stretch leather shoes to fit you precisely.
Wear Thick Socks
This strategy has worked for us in the past to break in shoes and prevent our feet from getting blisters, but using thick socks to fill up your shoes may also help soften the leather and allow it to stretch out further.
However, if you’re stretching the leather, then likely, your boots are already too tight, and the sock approach may be more painful since it will make the boot even more restrictive. Although it is difficult to do without causing oneself pain, it is a simple method of stretching the leather to its maximum length.
Warm The Leather
Warming the leather is another way that will allow you to gradually stretch it if you do it before wearing them. To warm up the leather, try putting a heat source, such as a hairdryer, inside the boots and then inserting a shoe form or some balled-up socks inside the boot to keep the shape.
Make certain that whatever you put in the boot will allow the leather to remain somewhat stretched out; that way, when it cools down, it will be more likely to maintain its original size.
Put your boots on while wearing thick socks and use a hairdryer to warm them up from the outside while still wearing your thick socks. Once again, caution should be exercised while using this method, particularly when blowing hot air directly against leather, which might cause damage to the material if the heat is applied too near or too intensely.
Put Them In The Freezer
On the other hand, you can avoid heat entirely by doing the polar opposite and freezing your leather boots. Fill sandwich bags with water and slip them into your boots. After you’ve made sure the bags are well packed to prevent water from damaging the leather, you can place the boots in the freezer. Water expands when it freezes, gradually stretching the leather as a result.
Oil Conditioner Or Stretching Spray
There are sprays and conditioners available for leather boots to lengthen their life span. If you’re using an oil conditioner, you’ll want to massage a small quantity of it over the exterior of the leather and allow it to soak in for a couple of minutes before continuing. This material will aid in the relaxation of the leather, allowing it to stretch a little more.
Similar results may be obtained via stretching spray, though depending on the kind you purchase, it may be necessary to apply it either inside or outside the shoe. Remember to carefully read the directions before using the products to avoid mistakenly damaging the leather.
When it comes to stretching leather, these ingredients are one of the most straightforward methods available. You can even prepare your mixture for this approach by combining alcohol and water and spraying the liquid inside the boot before trying to stretch it. For this, a one-to-one ratio of water to rubbing alcohol should be used.
Get A Boot Stretcher
A boot stretcher is another device that you can readily get online to assist in stretching your leather boots. Boot stretchers are inserts put into the shoe to physically stretch out the leather, particularly in the toe section of the shoe. If you find that you need to extend the ankle or calf of your shoe, another device may be utilized particularly for this portion of the shoe.
To avoid damaging the leather, you will need to be quite cautious if you intend to use this method. Allow for a couple of hours of wear time with the boot stretcher inside the shoe before removing it. To avoid overstretching and damaging your shoes, you can always stretch a bit less than you think you need and then go through the process again.
Soak Them In Water
To use water, you’ll want to fill a container or sink halfway with warm water and completely immerse your boots in the water before starting. Soak the leather in the water for a few minutes to ensure they are thoroughly saturated.
To ensure that they are sufficiently moist, you may keep them in for around 10 minutes. When the leather is wet, it becomes more malleable and flexible. Once the shoe is ready, take it from the water and insert a shoe stretching tool into the shoe (or you can wear them as an alternative).
Using Pressure
Simple pressure and possibly weight on the shoe in the areas where you want the shoe to yield well may be enough to achieve this result. It is possible to stretch the leather by applying pressure on it using a shoe stretching tool or anything else that will fit inside the boot.
Is It Possible To Overstretch Leather Boots?
Yes, leather boots have the potential to become overstretched. Most of the time, this occurs when they are intentionally stretched rather than due to regular usage. It may occur during the stretching process if the leather is left unattended for an extended period or if excessive pressure is applied to it.
Although leather has flexibility, it can be reduced back down to its original size when it is overstretched, but it may not return to its original dimensions. When you overstretch a material, it affects the substance’s chemical composition. It may be tough to shrink the boot back to its previous position.
Over-stretching is one of the risks associated with purchasing old leather footwear. If the boots were originally owned by someone with broader feet than you, they will almost certainly always feel a little tight until you purchase an insert to enhance the fit.
The Best Way To Avoid Having To Stretch Leather Boots
You’ll inevitably need some degree of customization for leather to conform to your foot, but there are a few things you can do to improve comfort right away.
Purchase Custom Shoes
Many high-end boot brands specialize in custom-fit boots. Most of these firms will ask you to email them the unique measurements of your foot, after which they will create the boot using the last mold that suits the form of your foot. Compared to a standard boot purchased off the market, this will make the boot far more comfortable.
Moc Toe Boots
When it comes to working boots, moc-toe work boots may give a little extra toe box room and can be a good answer for those of you who suffer from cramped toes. The fit varies from brand to brand, but purchasing a moc toe work boot is a good choice if you want more toe room.
Use Adjustable Inserts
Some manufacturers may employ adjustable inserts and can be used to assist in altering the boot to the right width for your specific foot size. No, this is not going to be an exact science, and it is recommended that you get a bespoke boot, particularly if you have irritable feet, to ensure the best fit.
Final Thoughts
As a natural material, the leather should be handled gently but firmly, stretching it to provide a better, more tailored fit while maintaining its inherent flexibility. If your boots are a fraction of a size too small in the foot region or the shaft is too tight around your calves, we trust that this guide will show you how to stretch them out so that they are the perfect fit.
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