How to stretch sneakers in length and width. How to stretch sneakers made of different materials at home Do sneakers wear out?

We often buy sneakers that, at first glance, seem to be the perfect size. But after walking some distance in them, we realize that they are too small for us or in some places do not fit the shape of our feet. Of course, walking in uncomfortable shoes harms your feet, and it is terribly uncomfortable. Therefore, so that you don’t have to go shopping for a new pair or endure constant blisters, because sports shoes are usually used very intensively, let’s look at the solution to this problem. So, how to break in sneakers that are too tight at home?

Working with different materials

If possible, it is better to exchange shoes for a more suitable size. If this is not possible, you can deal with it on your own. Not many people know how to break in sneakers that are too tight at home. But most materials used in production are stretchable. The following methods exist for this:

Genuine Leather. Shoes made of genuine leather can be stretched by wearing them at home for a couple of days. To speed up the process, it is best to do this in damp woolen socks. The process will take 2-3 days.
Suede . Suede shoes are stretched using ice. The material stretches due to the fact that water expands when hardened. For this method you will need a sealed bag with water poured into it. The package must be placed in the shoes. Next, the shoes are placed in the freezer for one day. The bag should be removed after the ice has melted.
Textile. To increase the size of textile shoes, you need to pour boiled water on them. Then immediately put it on and wear it until it dries.
Leatherette. Leatherette products stretch for quite a long time. To do this, you need to put on socks soaked in an alcohol-containing substance, and then put on sneakers.

Important! This procedure should be repeated approximately 10 times, but it all depends on the initial quality and thickness of the material.

other methods

Even the perfect size sneakers can be uncomfortable. This is often due to the fact that they are new. What to do if your sneakers are too tight:

Walk around the house in new sneakers for several days, after lubricating the back with soapy water or alcohol.
Turn on the hair dryer in hot air mode, point it at the area that is pinching your leg, and hold it there for several minutes.
You need to soak cotton socks in warm water, wring them out and put them on. Put shoes on top of them and walk in them until the socks are completely dry.

Important! After this, put several lumps of rolled newspapers in the sneakers so that they absorb the remaining moisture.

Wet the inside of the sneakers heavily with vodka or alcohol and put them on. Then you need to wet the outside and wear them for several hours.
To stretch the sneakers, we need a special spray, which can be bought at any shoe store. To stretch, you need to apply the spray to the inside of the sneakers, you can tap the fabric a little with a hammer in problem areas, and walk in them until it becomes noticeably softer.

Important! Before using the product, you need to check the compatibility of the sneaker material with the spray, applying it to the least visible place.

For this method we will need a hairdryer. We turn on the hot air mode and warm up the area causing inconvenience. Care must be taken in the seam area, as glue may leak when heated.

Form holder

Many people ask questions: what to do if the sneakers are too small, is it possible to stretch the sneakers to fit? In order to stretch shoes to size, you should resort to a radical method - solving the problem mechanically using a form holder.

Important! Form holders are called wooden blocks, with the help of which force tension occurs. They can be purchased at specialized shoe stores.

Form holders are made from various materials:

wood - birch, beech, cedar;
plastic.

Mode of application:

Before using the mold holders, it is necessary to apply a special stretching spray. You can also use alcohol or glass cleaner.
Then you need to insert the pads into the shoes and leave them in this state for a day.
If necessary, repeat the procedure.

Video material

Remember that you need to be more careful when choosing sneakers! It’s better to choose shoes of the right size than to have to worry about breaking them in later. And to do this, go to the store after lunch, be sure to fully step on both feet while trying on, walk around the boutique to understand that you are really comfortable in the new pair.

New clothes bought in a store are not always as comfortable in the gym. Changing the size of the product is quite possible. Fabric sneakers stretch well, but they also change shape quickly. The best way to solve the problem is to go to a shoemaker. To change the length of shoes, a specialist uses lasts. On sale today you can find their analogue - spacers. Use special sprays and creams to expand your sneakers.

If sneakers cause a feeling of discomfort when worn, and ordinary means for stretching shoes do not help, then use proven folk advice.

Winter

If your winter shoes are too tight, use the frozen water method. Fill the bag with water and place it in the product. Leave the product in the freezer for half a day. If it's cold outside, you can leave your sneakers on the balcony. When water freezes, it will expand and stretch the product evenly. Bring your sneakers into a warm room and wait for the weather to melt. Re-wear your shoes to make sure they are not too tight.

New fabric

A fabric product needs delicate care, so take your time choosing a method:

Boiling water. Place the shoes in the bath and pour boiling water over them. Then drain the water, put the product on your socks and wear it until it dries;
Rags. We wet them in water and fill the sneakers with them. We wait until the shoes are completely dry. The rag should be white to prevent streaks from appearing on the product.;
At home. A pair is worn at home until it stretches and takes on the desired size. This will take a lot of time, but will allow you to resolve the issue naturally.

The following methods are suitable for changing the size of fabric shoes:

Newspapers. Shoes must be rinsed in warm water. After this, take sheets of newspaper, roll them up and place them in your sneakers. After 7 days the material will stretch. It is recommended to fill the product with damp newspapers. Wait until the item dries and put it on your foot. Shoes should be comfortable;
Oats. Fill the sneaker with cereal. Moisten it with water in advance and leave it overnight to swell. Shake out the cereal and walk around in your shoes until it dries completely;
Potato . Peel the potatoes and leave them inside the product overnight. The product will not leave any odor. In the morning, take it out and wipe your shoes with a rag.

Every person faces the problem of narrow shoes and boots in the toe, heel and shaft. Unfortunately, such custom-made products are very expensive, and choosing one that immediately fits your leg is difficult and almost impossible.

Most people have to look for ways to stretch their shoes at home, because they don’t want to return their favorite new thing, but they also don’t want to walk around with blisters. Is it possible to stretch shoes or sneakers to size? Can. If you have such a problem, use home methods on how to break in shoes that are too tight.

Water packs

If the couple is too tight, try another interesting life hack - freezing.

As the liquid freezes, it expands in volume, allowing new shoes to break in faster.

To stretch your boots you will need clean distilled water and tightly sealed bags.

How to stretch rubber boots, shoes or sneakers:

Fill 2 large or medium (check by size) zip-L lock bags with water. There should be enough liquid so that they stretch well when frozen. Squeeze all the air out of the bags and seal.
Place them in boots and place them in the freezer for 4-8 hours. During this time, the liquid will have time to freeze.
When the water turns to ice (check the refrigerator sometimes, it may happen much sooner), remove from the freezer, remove the bags and put on your boots.

If necessary, repeat the process to stretch them another size.

Medical alcohol

There are many special sprays available in online stores that help with stretching if your shoes are too tight. But why shell out big bucks when you can get the same results with inexpensive rubbing alcohol?

It can also be used to clean stains.

Alcohol works best on natural fabrics. If you are wondering how to stretch leather shoes at home, then know that this method is one of the best.

Test the alcohol on an inconspicuous area to see if the paint starts to peel off or not. The method is used only once; repeated use of this method is not recommended.

To widen or lengthen narrow shoes you will need rubbing alcohol, a spray bottle or cotton pads.

How to stretch new shoes:

Since the product is easier to spray, transfer it to another bottle. If you don’t have a spray bottle, use a cotton pad or white cotton cloth (do not use a colored one, it may fade).
Spray rubbing alcohol onto tight areas of your boots. Do not spare any money, pour it generously on those places where leather shoes are too tight. The fabric must become damp for the shoes to stretch well.
Put it on your feet and try to trample it. Walk around in it until the alcohol dries. The product works while they are wet.
If the shoes are small after the manipulations done, then how to break the shoes in? The issue is resolved. Soak thick socks in alcohol and put the product back on. Walk in your shoes until the alcohol completely evaporates from your socks.

After such manipulations, she no longer presses.

Remember that alcohol should not be used if there are wounds on your feet. Or first cover them with a bactericidal adhesive bandage.

Newspapers

If your shoes are too tight, how can you stretch them? This question is really relevant. And it appears after the purchase, when the first calluses have formed on the heels and toes.

Stretching shoes lengthwise using this method is unlikely to succeed, but expanding the material will work.

This method is suitable if the fabric is not natural, but is leatherette. It is also recommended to use it if you need to break in sneakers or stretch suede or patent leather.

How to quickly break in new shoes:

Take a lot of newspapers, or better yet, clean sheets of paper so that the paint does not transfer to the fabric. Wrinkle them up and moisten them with water.
Wring out the sheets well and stuff them tightly into the shoes.
Leave the paper inside until completely dry. It will take the shape of the shoe and stretch it evenly.

Don't overdo it with this method. Even with regular paper, new shoes can become deformed, lose their appearance, or the soles may become detached from the base.

How to increase your shoe size is not a problem, but decreasing it will be impossible.

It's time to use your chemistry lessons and learn how to stretch leather or suede shoes. The thermal method can only be used on these types of products. Another fabric may not stand up to the heat, and your favorite item will end up in the trash.

You will need to wash the products, take a hairdryer and prepare clean socks.

How to break in new shoes:

Wear thick socks. If you feel they are not tight enough, use a second pair. It is necessary that the products fit snugly on the leg. You should also know that the denser the material, the thicker the socks should be.
Wear tight shoes. If your leg is difficult to climb through, use a special spoon.
Turn on the hairdryer to maximum airflow and direct a stream of hot air to the places where your shoes are pinching.
Continue blowing hot air on the areas where your shoes are too small for a few minutes. While blowing, try to wiggle your toes. This makes the shoes stretch faster.
Turn off the hair dryer and continue wearing it out.
Take off your socks and try the product on your bare foot.

As a result, the foot should slide freely inside and not rub bloody calluses.

If it is necessary to stretch the shoes further, the procedure can be repeated.

How to stretch sneakers? Such products are always durable and made of good breathable material. A hairdryer is ideal for stretching sneakers, you just need to warm them up inside and out.

Soap and paraffin

How else to break in tight shoes at home?

Products are quickly enlarged using paraffin or regular soap. Only this method is not suitable if you are looking for how to break in sneakers or how to stretch rubber shoes one size larger.

This method can be used on leather, patent leather or suede items.

How to stretch tight shoes:

Take a regular candle or baby soap.
Rub the product from the inside, sparing no expense.
Leave it overnight.
In the morning, remove any remaining paraffin with a damp cloth and try on the shoes.

Paraffin does not harm natural or artificial leather. This remedy is harmless.

The next method to stretch your shoes is to use steam. The procedure cannot be performed with artificial leather or suede products.

How to break in shoes that are pinching and rubbing?

Use the method first for one shoe, if you can stretch it, you can steam the second one.

Exercise in clean shoes, free from dust and dirt. Otherwise, it will be unpleasant to walk around the house in them.

Boil water and bring the products to the steam. Let the boots sit over the steam for a few minutes.

Taking shoes in at home is not difficult. Just take some time for this process.

Do not use this method many times, otherwise the shoes will be too trampled.

Using this method, you can both quickly break in your sneakers and clean them.

How to stretch narrow shoes if none of the above methods worked, and you don’t want to give up, because you really want to show off in new shoes in the evening?

Use a stretcher. With its help, you can stretch your sneakers in length; it is perfect if your shoes are tight in the toe or if you need to make your shoes a size larger.

There are different stretchers. They are available online and are made for boots, heels, or flat for sneakers, ballet shoes, etc.

How to stretch sneakers at home:

Spray a special product on them. Pay special attention to denser areas. If leatherette products are pinched in only one place, then spray the product only on it.
Insert the stretchers inside and turn the handle to increase your shoe size at home or expand.
Leave her alone for a while. Then remove the stretcher and put it on your legs. If the sneakers are no longer tight, then there was a point in stretching, and the manipulation was a success.

How to wear shoes if they are too tight or chafing?

The problem of uncomfortable shoes is familiar to many. Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular, and without trying on any shoes may simply turn out to be too small. Although fittings don’t always help. Even the perfect sneakers in the store can begin to feel tight over time.

There are many reasons. The most common is swelling of the legs. This is why it is recommended to try on shoes after lunch. Sneakers often feel tight if they haven't been worn for a long time. If you store them incorrectly, they simply dry out and become tight.

Real branded sneakers should be chosen so that they are slightly small. They should stretch during wear and then fit perfectly to the foot. But they can only press in width. It is impossible to stretch the sneakers in length!

When purchasing real brands, a stretch spray is required. They need to spray the inside of the shoes, then put on thick socks and wear them for about an hour. Ideally, it is during this time that the sneakers will become comfortable for the owner, and the problem of discomfort will disappear.

This spray can also be purchased separately. But at the same time, you should carefully study the information on the packaging in order to choose the one that is suitable for the material from which the sneakers are made.

If the shoes have not stretched and there is no way to exchange them for others, you can use other methods of resizing.

Soap and paraffin

How to stretch sneakers made of different materials at home

Before you start changing the size of an item at home, focus on the following factors:

The manufacturing material can be expanded, but only in width.
Fabric items cannot be increased by more than half a size. Only leather products are stretched to size.
Synthetics do not change shape well and can be damaged when stretched.

In length

To change the size of sneakers, use proven popular recommendations:

Leather shoes can be treated with hot water. The material will soften and it will be easier to stretch it. However, this method is not suitable for leatherette. This material involves the use of alcohol on problem areas;
You can change the size of suede sneakers in the freezer. Place bags of water inside the product. Leave the shoes in the refrigerator for 12 hours. This method is not suitable for items made of genuine leather;
To change your sneaker size, use socks. Wet and squeeze them out. Put on your socks and then your shoes. Walk until they dry. If the product does not press much, then do not wet your socks.

Width

The following methods will help you change the width of your shoes:

You can adjust the size of products using newspapers. Hold the item over steam, and then fill it with newspapers soaked in water. Dry naturally. This method is suitable for stretching items that have shrunk after washing.;
Vodka. Treat the item from the inside with it. Put on thick socks and moisten with vodka. You need to walk around the house for two hours in these sneakers;
Hairdryer The most effective method for stretching shoes. Put socks on your feet and then shoes. Use a hair dryer to heat the material. It will take the shape you need. This is ideal for stretching leather sneakers.

Have you ever encountered a situation where sneakers that fit perfectly when you tried them on in a store later turned out to be a little too small? What to do in such a situation? The easiest way to deal with tight sneakers is to return them to the store or change them to a larger size. But what to do if the deadline for returning has expired, and there is no way to sell or exchange them? In this case, you can try stretching your sneakers at home.

Width stretch

To stretch your sneakers wider, you can use both folk remedies and those specially developed by shoe manufacturers. First, let's use what we have at hand. Soak thick wool socks in hot water.

Wait until they cool down a bit. Put on your feet, then put on your sneakers. In order for the shoes to take the shape of the foot and stop pressing from the sides, you need to walk in sneakers and socks for at least an hour. If necessary, repeat the procedure several times.

Vodka is another folk remedy that helps stretch sneakers wide. Wet the inside of the shoes generously and put them on your feet. Now wet the outside of the sneakers. Walk around in them for at least two hours or until the vodka dries completely. This method works best for athletic shoes made from fabric or non-elastic materials.

Length stretch

You can stretch your sneakers to length at home using newspapers and steam. Hold the shoes over boiling water until the material softens slightly. Moisten newspapers with water and stuff them tightly into your sneakers. Don't overdo it, proceed carefully.

Make sure that the sneakers do not become deformed or lose their shape. Leave the softened and newspaper-stuffed shoes to dry at room temperature. Do not speed up the drying process or place your sneakers near heating devices or in direct sunlight. After the shoes are dry, try them on.

If one stretch is not enough, repeat the procedure again.

Sometimes discomfort can be caused by a hard heel or a tight sock. Try softening them with steam, and then knead the problem areas with your hands. Particularly hard material can be lightly beaten with a smooth hammer head. Do this carefully. Otherwise, the appearance and shape of the sneakers will suffer.

Leather and suede

Leather and suede products are the easiest to stretch and take the desired shape. It is enough to wet your shoes with water, put on a thick sock, put on sneakers and walk around in them for a couple of hours. 2-3 such procedures are enough to obtain optimal results.

You can also achieve a pleasant shoe width if you use professional stretchers from well-known brands Salton and Salamander. These products are sprayed onto the problem area, soften it and ensure a comfortable fit for the shoes.

One of the folk remedies that allow you to increase your sneakers size is ice. Place a thick plastic bag inside your shoes and fill it with water. Tie tightly and place in the freezer overnight.

Remove the water containers and dry the shoes at room temperature.

The opposite method is no less effective - stretching natural leather sneakers with hot water. Pour boiling water over the inside of the shoes. After 10 minutes, put on your sneakers and walk for 30-40 minutes. It is advisable not just to walk, but to perform active actions (squats, jumping, etc.). In this case, the load on the softened skin will be greater, which means it will quickly take the desired shape.

You can also use a hairdryer and vegetable oil. Hold the shoes under the hot air for a few minutes. After the sneakers have softened sufficiently, grease them with sunflower oil and put them on thick socks. Walk around for an hour. Remove any remaining oil with a napkin.

Textile

Stretching textile sports shoes should be done very carefully and carefully. The most effective result when stretching such shoes can be achieved using boiling water. Place the sneakers in the bath. Pour boiling water over it. While the sneakers are cooling, put on thick socks. Put on your shoes and walk until your shoes are dry. If necessary, repeat the described steps again.

Using paper and rags also helps a lot in stretching tight textile shoes. Soak them in water and stuff the sneakers tightly. Wait until completely dry and remove the padding. Don't use newspapers. They can leave streaks and ruin the appearance of the shoes.

Leatherette

Shoes made from leather substitutes do not withstand shape changes well. Leatherette sneakers should never be exposed to temperature changes, nor should boiling water, ice or steam be used to stretch them. Is it even possible to stretch such capricious and unreliable material at home? Yes, you can. And alcohol-containing products, such as cologne, will help with this.

If you have tried all the methods described and still cannot stretch your shoes, try taking out the insoles and walking around for a while without them.

Here are a few more products that can be used to treat leatherette sneakers to effectively soften them:

3% vinegar solution - soak a cotton swab in it and saturate the inner surface of the products;
kerosene - applied to the inside of the shoe;
glass washing liquid - applied liberally to the inside and outside of the products.

If you have tried all the methods described and still cannot stretch your shoes, try taking out the insoles and walking around for a while without them. The legs will not be very comfortable in such conditions, but they will gain a few necessary millimeters.

Using the methods described above allows you to increase the length and width of shoes by half a size or even a size. Sneakers made of leather, suede and textiles can be stretched under the influence of steam and boiling water.

It is better to soften leatherette and leatherette with chemicals: kerosene, vinegar, cologne and glass washing liquid.

How to stretch sneakers or sneakers at home

Many of us have encountered the problem of tight shoes. It is distracting, painful and harmful to health. If we are talking about sports shoes, then the problem only gets worse. After all, the main purpose of sneakers and trainers is to be comfortable and not restrict movement. Is it possible to cope with the problem and stretch sports shoes at home?

1 Is it possible to stretch sneakers or sneakers that are too small?
2 Professional means to increase shoe size

3 How to increase the length and width of shoes at home
4 Correct ways to stretch children's shoes

Before you start changing the size of sports shoes yourself, consider the factors that influence the result.

The materials from which sports shoes are made can be stretched, but mainly in width.

You should not expect to lengthen textile shoes by more than half a size. Only leather products can be stretched one size.

The fastening seams on the shoes do not stretch.

Synthetic rigid materials are difficult to deform and are easily damaged when stretched.

If after purchasing you realize that the shoes are too small and too tight for you, the best solution to the problem is to contact the store and request an exchange or return.

If for some reason you cannot return tight sneakers or sneakers to the store, use professional stretching products. Shoe repair shops use:

surface treatment liquid;
lasts on which shoes that require stretching are pulled.

Manufacturers offer special sprays and stretching foams as a liquid that helps increase the length of shoes. When purchasing them, pay attention to the purpose. If the spray is labeled “for all types of natural leather,” then it will be ineffective for textile sneakers.

Before using stretching agents, test on an inconspicuous area of the shoe.

Mode of application.

Shake the expansion foam canister.

Apply the contents evenly to problem areas from the inside and outside.

Wear wet shoes with thick wool or terry socks.

Walk around in it until the spray dries completely.

Repeat the procedure several times to completely eliminate discomfort.

What tools can be used

“Stretching” sprays have appeared on the market relatively recently, but the methods proposed below have been used for many years. Some may seem a little strange, but they actually work. Just don't try everything at once. If one does not help, let at least a week pass before the next attempt.

Ice "therapy"

This method works in 90 cases out of 100. The explanation is that water expands when it freezes. You need to take thick bags, insert them into your sneakers and fill them with water. Tie tightly and put the shoes in the freezer for a day.

After this time, take it out, let it “warm up” for about 20 minutes, remove the bags from the sneakers, put them on and wear them for several hours.

The bags must be very strong so that water does not spill.

This way to stretch shoes involves using boiling water. If the shoes are made of genuine leather, you can safely pour it inside and leave for 10-15 minutes. You can use steam rather than water. It is enough to hold tight sneakers over it for a few minutes, and then wear them for a couple of hours so that they “sit” on your feet.

This method is not suitable for other materials. If the sneakers are made of leatherette, they will simply “creep”.

Sneakers are stretched using regular newspapers. It is enough to slightly moisten them and stuff them tightly inside. When drying under natural conditions, the shoes should stretch. However, it is strictly forbidden to place it on or near the battery. This method is physical, but there are several chemical options:

Wipe the inside of the sneakers with a cotton pad or gauze, after moistening them in a 3% solution of ordinary vinegar. This softens the material and helps stretch it;
treat the sole with castor oil or drying oil. It also improves the elasticity of the shoe;

Wipe the inside with medical alcohol and the outside with laundry soap. The chemical reaction will allow the shoes to stretch;
lubricate the inside of the sneakers with kerosene, then wear for a couple of hours;
Spray the inside and outside of the shoes with glass cleaner and wear for two hours, wearing warm socks.

Using socks

The easiest way to break in sneakers is with socks. To do this, you need to wet them in warm water, put on tight shoes and wear them until completely dry. You should wear thick socks. It is advisable to use cotton ones.

When the socks are dry, the sneakers should be tightly stuffed with newspaper. They will absorb any remaining moisture.

Alcohol method

To stretch shoes, you can use vodka, moonshine or regular medical alcohol diluted in half with water. You should wet the inside of the sneakers well with alcohol, then put them on with a thick sock, spray them on the outside and wear them for at least two hours.

This method helps increase the size and soften the hard parts that rub the foot.

Table vinegar can stretch shoes by 1-2 mm in just an hour. It is enough to moisten the cotton pads, place them from the inside in the part that presses the most, and then put on your shoes and walk around in them.

Spacers

This method is called radical, but there is nothing criminal in it. It consists in purchasing special spacers. With their help, a mechanical effect is exerted on the sneakers. The lasts are equipped with a screw, when turned, they move apart and thereby stretch the shoes one size larger.

It is better to buy wooden blocks. The most reliable are those made of cedar, birch or beech. They are more expensive than their plastic counterparts, but they will last several times longer.

Usage is simple. Shoes should be wetted with alcohol, window cleaner or special stretching sprays, inserted inside the lasts and pulled apart. The result can be assessed in about a day.

An effective folk way to stretch sports shoes, including fabric sneakers or leather sneakers, is to use potatoes. To do this, peel the potatoes, place one tuber at a time in the nose parts of the products and leave overnight. Potato juice softens the material, making it elastic, flexible and pliable. As a result, the shoes will stretch;
Take table vinegar 3% and treat the inside of the products with a cotton pad. Vinegar will soften the material, which will make it easier and faster to break in shoes;
The insides of the soles, toes and rear areas can be treated with hot drying oil or castor oil. This will not only stretch the material, but also protect the products from moisture penetrating inside and getting your sneakers or sneakers wet;
Wipe the inside of the pair with medical alcohol, and then rub with laundry soap with a fat content of over 72%. Treat especially carefully the areas that cause the greatest discomfort during use;
The inside of the sneakers can be moistened with kerosene, then put on a warm and thick woolen or terry sock and worn for 30-60 minutes;
The surface of the sneaker, outside and inside, can be sprayed with glass or window cleaner. Then also put on thick-toed shoes and walk like this for one to two hours;
Leather sneakers should be dried with a hot hairdryer for one to two minutes, then lubricated with vegetable oil, put on thick socks and walk for 30-40 minutes. The remaining oil should be blotted with a paper towel or napkins.

When you bought your sneakers, you thought they were the right size for you, but after wearing them for the first time, calluses appeared? It happens. If it is not possible to exchange shoes, you can try using improvised means. They may be able to cope with the task of making sneakers a size larger.

Popular home method - shoe softening. For this, products such as alcohol, cologne, castor or regular sunflower oil are used. One of the products is to lubricate the sneakers outside and inside, either completely or only in problem areas. Then you need to wear the pair wearing warm socks.
If you have to put on your shoes immediately after purchasing them, you can use alcohol spray for tight areas. This can also be a solution to the problem of breaking in sneakers at home.

Please note that a lot depends on the material. Here are the recommendations given by experts on this matter:

Leather sneakers You can try treating it with boiling water. It will soften the shoes and make them easier to wear.
For shoes made from natural materials, fabric or rubber, you can try to use the method of lengthening and expanding shoes, familiar to our grandmothers, using newspapers. First you need to hold the sneakers over the steam, then stuff them with wet newspapers. It is important to dry the products naturally to prevent their deformation.
If the sneakers are suede, you can try to hide their tightness using the freezer. You need to place a plastic bag or even a simple balloon inside the shoe, pour cold water and leave it in the freezer overnight. This even solves the problem of stretching sneakers to fit. But do not resort to this method for shoes made of genuine leather, as they will simply “shrink”.
Synthetic materials they stretch extremely poorly, and not all home methods are safe for them. But you can still slightly increase their width. To do this, you need to put on wet, bulky socks and wear your shoes in them.

How to stretch your sneakers in length and width yourself - ways

Use professional products to stretch your sneakers.

Cosmetics are applied to problem areas or over the entire surface, then shoes are put on and walked in them for an hour.

The procedure is repeated until the desired result is achieved.

Pads and spacers for stretching products are available on sale today. Focus on those products that change both the length and width of the product. Spray a special aerosol inside and wet the surface with water. Insert the structure and leave it for one day. If the shoes are tight in the heel area, use stickers on the heels, which can be found in the shoe department.

Having returned from the shoe store with new clothes, we often find that the shoes do not fit as well as we would like. In the store it seemed that everything was chosen perfectly, but at home it turns out that either the width is tight, or the fingers are too resting in front. There can be many reasons for this. Therefore, it is important to be able to stretch your sneakers or shoes yourself.

Difficulties in choosing

It often happens that a person may have various deformities and bone growths on his foot.

For example, a valgus deformity of the first toe can be so severe that the second toe bends under the first, and the first metatarsophalangeal joint is sharply hypertrophied and dislocated, protruding strongly in the medial direction.

There may also be heel spurs, and simply features of the bone structure that do not fit into the average characteristics.

A very common problem is flat feet, which can be longitudinal or transverse.

With flat feet, it is necessary to be very careful when choosing a last, which should reproduce the physiological curves of a normal foot in order to compensate for the lack of shock absorption associated with the physiological defect.

It is especially bad for choosing shoes to have transverse flat feet, since in this case the transverse ligament of the foot is very loose and the metatarsal bones spread to the side, significantly expanding the foot.

There are companies that fundamentally produce ultra-comfortable shoes (Rieker), however, even they are not able to take into account all possible variations in pathological foot deformation and physiological characteristics.

Sports shoes are often bought by people who have nothing to do with professional sports, but who want to go jogging in the morning or take out a subscription to a fitness center. It also happens that a person simply loves sneakers as an option for very comfortable shoes. There is a huge selection of sneakers made from a wide variety of materials:

genuine leather;
leatherette;
textiles;
suede;
nubuck, etc.

Often, having bought sneakers, people are faced with the problem that they are not entirely comfortable during prolonged wear. And then they wonder: how to break in sneakers? To break in sneakers that are too tight, you must first determine the material from which they are made.

You can take your sneakers to a workshop where a master will work on them. Here their fate is approximately the following: the leather from which the sneakers are made is treated with foam, liquid or a special composition intended for this purpose.

Then special pads are inserted into the sneakers and left alone for a day, during which they stretch. The pads come in different widths and lengths.

The client first discusses with the master the problem that worries him.

If the client has protruding bones on the foot, then the master can use special pads that will take this feature into account: in this case, the selected area is generously moistened with spray and locally stretched so that there is no feeling of pressure in the area of the hypertrophied bone. The whole procedure takes a day, after which the client comes for a fitting: if necessary, the process is repeated.

Methods of breaking in

You can do approximately the same thing at home by purchasing a special stretching product: spray, liquid, foam, pads. However, we must remember that in the case of patent leather shoes, foam is not used to avoid cracking.

How to stretch shoes using improvised means at home, without the help of a professional. Folk wisdom has invented a lot of ways. However, it should be noted that you most likely won’t be able to increase the length of your sneakers by a size larger on your own, especially when it comes to artificial leather: it can all end in unraveling or cracking.

Some craftsmen have adapted to using oats and other grains that swell strongly in water to make shoes bigger. To do this, cereal is poured inside to the top, then water is poured on top until it is equal to the top layer of cereal. The shoes are left overnight, during which the grass swells greatly, absorbing water. This causes the shoe to expand.

This method is quite gentle and is also suitable for shoes made of textiles and artificial leather.

Another radical method suggests pouring boiling water into new shoes for 2-3 seconds, then pouring it out, putting it on and breaking it in. You should not perform this trick with artificial materials. They might just burst.

When dealing with faux leather, you should say goodbye to the idea of stretching your sneakers to fit. Most likely this won't happen. In the case of artificial skin, one can only hope for a slight increase in width and adaptation to the bony features of the foot.

Shoes made from artificial materials should initially be comfortable.

Castor oil is a good help in breaking in. To do this, you need to lubricate your shoes with oil, both inside and outside. Then wear it in thick socks. The oil helps stretch the skin.

Textile sneakers should be worn in more carefully. Large temperature changes are unacceptable. The easiest way is to walk in sneakers in the rain, and when you return home, continue to break them in. You can steam them with an iron, and then put them on and walk around in them for a few days at home.

It is also appropriate to stuff your sneakers with wet newspaper and leave them that way. As the newspaper dries, it stretches. All manipulations should be carried out very carefully to avoid unsticking. Textile shoes are perhaps the most sensitive to stretching and it is important not to damage them.

To avoid this, it is best to entrust your shoes to professionals and take them to a workshop.

The easiest home method is to lubricate the inside of the sneakers with 50% ethyl alcohol or vodka (or vinegar), then put on very thick socks and sneakers treated with alcohol on top. You should walk with shoes on for 1-2 hours.

Don't try to walk outside as it will be very uncomfortable. You can repeat this action several times until the sneakers begin to feel right to you.

If you used vinegar, you can remove the smell with soapy water or lemon peel.

If you have problems with the back of the shoe (the heel rubs), you can tap the heel with a hammer: it will become flatter and will not injure the skin as much. Alternatively, you can wet the backdrop with a thick soap solution or alcohol and wear it at home.

If you urgently need to put on new shoes and there is no time to stretch them, then you should cover with adhesive tape those areas of the foot that rub most often. As a rule, everyone knows their weak points.

A more exotic way to stretch your sneakers in width and length is to use raw potatoes as an alternative to lasts. And this method has some advantages.

Stretching can be done at any time, sometimes changing the potatoes to suit the new sensations.

There are very extreme methods of stretching: take two sealed bags, fill them with water, leaving some air on top.

The bags are placed inside the sneakers and placed in the refrigerator for a day. During this time, the water freezes, expanding along the way (that’s why we need an air supply) and gradually stretches the sneakers.

However, remember that this number will only work with leather products. Leatherette is likely to burst.

The easiest way: put on your shoes, wet them with water, and heat them with a hairdryer for 30 seconds. Under the influence of heat, the shoes will become more stretchable and pliable. Subsequent wearing for 1-2 hours in an apartment will lead to some increase in volume. This method can be repeated many times.

You can wear very thick socks and warm up your sneakers a little with a hairdryer. Continued stay in them should help. You should be careful about excessive temperature exposure, as this can lead to unsticking along the adhesive seam and cracking.

When buying another pair of shoes, you should consider how problematic (or problem-free) your feet are. If you have arthrosis, flat feet and other pathological conditions, then you should tune in to high-comfort shoes and choose the appropriate models. Maybe in your case it’s even worth having your shoes made to order.

Any shoes should be purchased in the afternoon. Many people experience swelling in their lower extremities at this time, even if they do not visually notice it. In this case, the width of the foot can vary. It is also worth considering the material from which the sneakers or shoes are made. The leather stretches more easily and fits well to the leg, adapting to the shape of the foot.

Stretching faux leather sneakers to length is an impossible task. Therefore, immediately buy comfortable shoes made of artificial leather, without the expectation that you will then adjust them to suit you.

How to stretch genuine leather shoes

Genuine leather becomes elastic when heated and exposed to alcohol. High-quality leather sneakers will stretch the first time. There is just a risk of discoloration, so before using any method with chemicals, you need to do a small test on an inconspicuous area of the sneakers.

For dermantine, it is dangerous to use any stretching methods other than wet socks and newspapers. Heating, freezing, and chemicals can immediately render such sneakers unusable.

Sneakers should be comfortable! If your shoes feel a little tight and you can’t break them in, use the suggested methods. We are sure that these recommendations will be useful to you, and you will be able to stretch your sneakers to size at home.

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Sometimes it happens that in a store we buy sneakers that, as it seems to us, fit well on our feet and do not pinch at all. But after walking in them a little more time, we begin to understand that the shoes are tight and bring significant discomfort. But wearing tight shoes, and especially training in them, is not only uncomfortable, but also completely unsafe for the feet. In this case, many begin to look for ways to stretch their sneakers on their own.

How to break in sneakers at home

If you still have a receipt and have the opportunity to exchange the purchased sneakers for a larger pair, then be sure to take advantage of it. If this is not possible, you can try to resolve this difficulty yourself.

Experts say that this is quite possible, since many materials that are used today in the production of sneakers lend themselves well to the stretching process. The width of the sneakers stretches quite easily. To do this, just use a special spray. But is it possible to stretch the product in length - it is possible, but not more than one size.

Even shoes of your size can cause discomfort and put pressure on your feet.. Sometimes it happens that all the inconvenience arises due to the newness of the shoes. In this case, dealing with the problem will be very simple. To do this, you just need to continue walking around the apartment in shoes for a few days. Before putting on, you need to lubricate the back of the sneakers with soapy water or special alcohol, which will help reduce the risk of calluses.

If the shoes begin to pinch in a certain place, for example, where the thumb or little finger touches the wall of the shoe, then you can try using a simple hair dryer, since we know that during the heating process the object can expand. Turn on the hot air and direct it to the problem area, continue to hold for two to three minutes. This will help widen the shoe a little.

What to consider

Before you start changing the size of sports shoes yourself, you need to consider factors that will affect the final result:

The material from which sports shoes are made can be easily stretched, but only in width.
You should not expect your shoes to increase in width by more than half a size. Only leather products can be stretched one size.
The fastening seams on the shoes do not stretch.
Rigid and synthetic materials are difficult to deform and are quickly damaged when stretched.

If, after purchasing shoes, you realize that they are not the right size for you and are tight in certain places, you need to contact the store with a request to exchange or return the purchase.

Professional ways to increase size

If for some specific reason you are unable to return your tight sneakers back to the store, then use professional stretching products. In workshops for repairing sneakers, it is customary to use:

surface treatment fluids;
pads on which the shoes themselves are pulled, requiring stretching.

Manufacturers advise using sprays and stretching foams. When purchasing them, you need to pay special attention to the features of use. If the spray is marked “for all types of natural leather,” then it will not be suitable for textile sneakers at all.

Method of use:

Shake the balloon filled with stretch foam.
Apply the contents of the product evenly and efficiently to problem areas from the inside as well as the outside.
Wear wet shoes with terry or wool socks.
Walk in it until the applied product dries completely.
Repeat the procedure several more times to completely get rid of discomfort.

Before using foam or spray, you need to test the effect of such a product on an inconspicuous area of the sneaker.

An analogue of a professional last will be a mechanical device: shoe spacers, special mechanical stretchers, mold holders. Usually they are completely universal and are suitable for several sizes and different thicknesses at once. The spacers include a special screw mechanism that provides good tension. Also included are plastic pads for the protrusions in the foot. Such devices cost a lot, but they can be used more than once.

Methods of using mechanical spacer for shoe products:

Sneakers should be treated with a special stretching spray or moistened with water.
You need to install a mechanical spacer inside the sneakers or sneakers, having previously installed plastic linings on it.
Using a screw mechanism, you need to give the shoe the desired tension. This should be done carefully so as not to accidentally damage the material.
Leave until completely dry.
If necessary, the procedure must be repeated.

If you cannot get rid of the problem yourself, then you need to entrust your shoes to a specialist. A specialist will be able to accurately fit the shoes to the desired size and characteristics of the foot, while fully maintaining the quality of the product and its appearance.

Increasing length at home

A simple method of stretching by putting tight shoes on wet socks made of wool material is very time-consuming and unpleasant.. Once will only be enough for shoes made of natural material. For other material, you will have to repeat this procedure several more times.

Instead of water, you can use alcohol or alcohol-containing solutions. Under their influence, the material quickly softens and becomes more pliable to change its shape.

Alcohol is good for stretching sneakers from the back and front:

You need to treat the rubber with a special cotton pad soaked in an alcohol solution.
You can apply mechanical force to a still wet surface: use a stretch block or put on sneakers with thick socks and continue walking in them until the applied product dries completely.

The use of an alcohol-containing method of stretching shoes made of genuine leather negatively affects its quality and time of use.

Ice expansion method

This method is based on a property of liquid that is known from school courses: water, at the moment of transition to a solid state, expands noticeably and increases in total volume. This creates special pressure on the surface of the shoe, after which it actively stretches.

Procedure:

This method is well suited for both natural and artificial high-density materials.

Thermal stretching method

The principle of operation of this method is to treat sneakers with a hairdryer.:

wear sneakers or sneakers over thick woolen socks;
warm the problem area with a hairdryer for 20-30 minutes;
Continue walking in your shoes until they cool completely.

This method is effective and does not degrade the original quality.

Application of newspaper

There is another well-known method - newspaper. What to do if your sneakers are too tight - just use a newspaper. For stretching, wet newspapers are used to tightly stuff the shoes until they dry..

In this case, the wet compacted paper begins to dry naturally after no less than two or three days, the insoles and surface of the shoes become very wet and, as a result, become deformed. This method has more disadvantages than advantages, so today it definitely cannot be considered effective.

To accurately determine which method to choose, compare the price of the shoes and the cost of adjusting them. Professionals say that the closer the chosen stretching method is to a professional one, the better and faster the overall effect.

Use of a hammer

An old, but no less effective method that requires only minimal handling of a hammer.

Basic actions:

dampen a soft cloth with water;
attach it to the back section from the inside;
position the shoes so that the heel area is on a hard surface;
tap it a little with the flat side of the hammer.

Your own hands

If the backdrop is made of hard leather or rubber, then you can achieve a softening effect using your own fingers. To do this, you need to carefully knead the problem area until it becomes softer.

A hard back, as a rule, can be easily kneaded with your hands, since it is made of simple dense croton. To save your time, the backdrop can be held over steam for a while before stretching with your fingers - this will make the material more pliable for further manipulation. Many people are interested in how to break in suede sneakers - in this case, you can use the same methods as for shoes made of other materials.

How to properly stretch a child's shoes

The best solution would be to return uncomfortable children's sneakers to the store or use the services of a specialist. If you still decide to fix the problem yourself, you need to use some tips:

use only those methods in which the shoes will not stretch on the baby’s feet;
from folk remedies you can use the ice method;
buy special stretch pads.

It is necessary to remember that shoes for a child should completely fit the size of his feet and not restrict him in any way.

How to properly stretch in width

There are many more methods to increase the width of sneakers than lengthening methods..

Savvy sneaker users have come up with one simple and effective way to free up space for your feet - removing the insole. If you can’t do without it, then you can replace the thick insole with a thinner and more comfortable one. What to do if the sneakers are large - in this case, on the contrary, the insole needs to be padded.

Laundry soap and alcohol

A combination of alcohol and fat is good for leather shoes.. For this:

alcohol is poured into sneakers;
the inside of the product is rubbed with slightly melted laundry soap;
Allow the shoes to dry completely.

If the lining fabric is made of poor quality material, then a characteristic odor may appear in the sneakers, which will be very difficult to eliminate.

Kerosene is considered a good alternative to alcohol and fat.. To do this, the inside of the shoes is moistened with the product, put on the feet and worn for forty minutes. The interesting thing is that in this case, as in the past, a special smell may arise.

Window cleaner

You can widen your sneakers without any major consequences by using a glass cleaner that contains alcohol.

Instructions for use:

Spray the shoes inside and out with the product;
We put on thick woolen socks on top, after which we continue to walk in the treated shoes for about two hours.

This interesting method has been tested by not a single sneaker lover. It's perfect for any pair of leatherette sneakers.

There are many ways to increase your sneaker size. Which one you will use is up to you to decide.

Attention, TODAY only!

Choosing the wrong shoe size is not uncommon. The problem is especially relevant when ordering shoes online, when the buyer is deprived of the opportunity to try on the pair he likes. But in tight shoes, even just walking is uncomfortable, let alone playing sports. What can you do if your sneakers are mercilessly pinching?

Is it possible to stretch sneakers?

You need to understand that when making sports shoes, manufacturers deliberately create models that hold their shape well and do not stretch during physical activity. For this purpose, the cut details are duplicated with fixing materials that prevent stretching. Therefore, you definitely shouldn’t count on a significant increase in size. The manufacturer makes sports shoes in such a way that they fit snugly on the foot and fix the foot under load.

What to pay attention to

Before trying to increase the size of sneakers by breaking them in and stretching them, you should pay attention to the appropriateness of the actions, taking into account the characteristics of the problem, the size and material of the shoes.

Factors to keep in mind:

the width of the sneakers can be worn out quite easily, but increasing the length of the products is much more difficult and is not always possible;
You can increase the internal space of the sneaker by simply removing the insole or replacing it with a thinner one;
The thick heel of new sneakers sometimes creates a tight-fitting effect. The large volume of the rear part is achieved due to foam elements. After 10–14 days of intense training, the material becomes denser and decreases in volume. And if there are no other complaints about the shoe size, the problem will be resolved naturally;
sneakers made from textile materials can be increased by half a size;
Keep in mind that the synthetic threads used to stitch the parts of sports shoes do not stretch at all;
Natural leather and suede, due to the characteristics of the material, stretch well. If both the outer and inner parts are made of natural materials, then you can try to stretch the shoes by 1–1.5 sizes. When sealing parts with inextensible materials, this figure will be significantly lower;
artificial leather has practically no stretch, but is easily deformed. If you try to increase your shoe size, you can hopelessly ruin the material.

Stretching your shoes yourself is not the best solution. The material from which the sneakers are made can become deformed, lose their shape and attractive appearance, and the desired size may be unattainable.

What you can do:

During the first 14 days after purchase, sneakers can be returned to the seller. At the same time, the external presentation and components, including packaging, must be intact. Contact the retailer with an offer to replace the purchased sneakers with a similar pair, but in a larger size. If such an exchange is not possible, the legislation of the Russian Federation provides for a refund of the amount in full.
If you have already gone out in your new sneakers and they show signs of wear, you will not be able to return them to the retailer. But you can sell it yourself to friends or through specialized sites (for example, Avito, Youla, irr and others), and with the proceeds buy a new pair of shoes of the right size.
go to a shoe repair shop. The master will take the necessary measurements and, with the help of professional tools and means, will stretch the shoes to the required size exactly in those places where it is necessary. Or it will inform you that it is impossible to increase the size. In this case, you will know for sure that the sneakers cannot be stretched, which means you will not waste time trying to make them bigger.

A professional shoe workshop has equipment for stretching shoes.

How to stretch sneakers at home

There are several ways to increase shoe size that you can do yourself without using the services of professional craftsmen. From among them, you can choose one, the most acceptable, or use a combination of different methods.

To effectively stretch a shoe material, two components are needed:

a product that, when applied to the surface of shoes, will make the material more elastic and stretchable;
an object on which a product can be placed so that it stretches.

Traditional methods

From time immemorial, many recipes of folk wisdom have come down to the present day, helping in various everyday situations. The undeniable advantages of traditional methods:

efficiency (confirmed many times over many years of use);
accessibility (many methods are based on available or low-cost means).

But there are also disadvantages:

discomfort (shoes wear out on your own feet, and this is not a pleasant pleasure);
duration of procedures (the entire process can take up to two weeks).

Thick socks

The method is that the “foot size” is artificially increased by adding an extra pair of thick socks, and the shoes worn on top gradually stretch to the shape of the “new foot”, becoming larger in size. Essentially, the human foot is used as an object to stretch the shoe.
Thick wool socks will increase the volume of the foot

What to do:

Put on two pairs of socks: first thin ones (the ones you usually wear), and then thick woolen ones.
Pull on your sneakers. This won't be easy considering they were tight to begin with. To make putting it on easier, undo the laces completely. Also, use a shoe horn to avoid bruising your heels.
It is recommended to spend 2 hours in this “vice” (or as long as you can stand it), not sitting or lying down, but actively moving, imitating walking and the natural movements of the foot during sports. You can do a home workout to your advantage: do squats, work out on a treadmill or exercise bike.
If you want to go to the gym or go for a run outside, be sure to take a spare pair of shoes with you. Over time and distance, slightly tight sneakers can become painfully tight, making it difficult to get home.
Repeat the procedure until you feel that the sneakers fit without the wool sock.

Wearing tight shoes for a long time not only causes discomfort, but can also cause serious harm to health. Be careful and do not overuse the methods of breaking in shoes on your own feet.

Alcohol

Medical alcohol effectively softens the material, and in combination with the previous method speeds up the process of breaking in tight shoes.

If medical alcohol is not available, you can use alcohol-containing liquids: vodka, cologne, alcohol-based window cleaners, etc.

Rubbing alcohol is an effective shoe softener

How to use:

Wipe the outside of the sneakers with alcohol and wet the inside generously. This can be done, for example, using a cotton pad.
Put on your sneakers and walk around in them. The movements of the feet place additional pressure on the softened shoe material, causing it to stretch.

Once I had a chance to watch how the owner of the “Perfume on Tap” outlet was wearing out leather shoes. He received the goods in large glass containers with ordinary screw caps. And apparently, the shoes he put on for the first time pinched his feet so much that, unable to bear it, he first took off one shoe, generously poured the contents into it from a container intended for sale, swirled it around, pouring the alcohol liquid over the inner surface, and put it on his foot. Then he repeated the same with the other shoe. It is not known exactly how quickly the shoes stretched out, but two days later the enterprising seller was wearing the same shoes and without visible signs of discomfort.

Video: stretching shoes at home

Hairdryer

To increase the elasticity of the material from which the sneakers are made, you can use a hair dryer.

If you don’t have a hairdryer, you can soften the material by holding the sneakers over a container of hot water for a few minutes.

To stretch the sneakers more, you need to put them on over thick socks and warm them up with a hairdryer

Procedure:

The hairdryer must be turned on and directed warm air onto the inner surface of the shoe. If you need to increase the length of the product, you should warm up the back and socks thoroughly by inserting a hair dryer inside each sneaker in turn.
Put on your sneakers. The best result will be if you use a thick sock.
Use a hairdryer to warm up the outside of the sneakers, paying special attention to seams, folds and problem areas. Under the influence of warm air, the material will become more susceptible to stretching.
After 5-7 minutes, turn off the hair dryer, but do not rush to take off your shoes. Walk around the room in sneakers while they are warm.
Try the sneakers on with regular socks. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

Video: stretching sneakers with a hairdryer

You can quickly and effectively warm up fabric sneakers using a little trick:

To work, in addition to a hair dryer, you will need a cardboard box in which you need to cut a hole to fit the size of the device nozzle. This is easy to do: place the hair dryer nozzle on the box and trace the outline with a pencil, then cut a hole with scissors.
Place the sneakers inside the box and close it tightly to prevent warm air from escaping. If necessary, tape can be used as a fastening element.
Turn on the hair dryer at maximum power and insert it into the opening of the box. Warm up your sneakers in this way for 15–20 minutes.
Then turn off the hair dryer and open the box. The sneakers will be very hot. To avoid getting burned, remove them using a cloth pot holder or towel.
First put on thick socks (in addition to increasing the volume, they serve a protective function against hot material), and then sneakers.
Walk around the house until your shoes are completely cool.

Video: how to stretch sneakers using a hairdryer and a box

Ice

You can stretch fabric and leather sneakers using the property of liquid expansion when freezing.

How the process works:

One (for reliability, two) durable bags are inserted inside each sneaker, previously checked for integrity. The bags are distributed along the inner surface so that they reach the toe, if this area needs stretching.
A bag of water should be placed in the sneaker so that the liquid fills the shoe evenly
Water is poured inside the bags. Its level should reach the outer rim of the shoe. After this, the bags are tied.
Sneakers with water are placed in the freezer for about a day. During this time, the water freezes, and the resulting ice increases in volume. As it expands, it presses from the inside on the walls of the shoe and the material gradually stretches.
When the water freezes, the resulting ice will be larger in volume and stretch the sneakers
Then the sneakers with ice are taken out of the freezer and allowed to stand for 10-15 minutes at room temperature so that the ice melts a little and the bags can be easily removed.

The method cannot be called absolutely safe. Ice expands uncontrollably, which means the result may not meet expectations. For example, sneakers may stretch more in width than in length. To make matters worse, the material may deform, cracks and tears may appear. This outcome is very likely when experimenting with leatherette products.

Video: how to stretch shoes with ice

Are folk remedies effective?

You can find a lot of different tips on the Internet about stretching shoes. Some suggest stuffing the insides of sneakers with wet crumpled newspapers, assuring that this is grandma’s best way, others - treat with kerosene. There is also a “wonderful cowboy method”: you need to pour grain, for example, wheat, into your sneakers and fill it with water. And after the grain swells, the sneakers will have no choice but to stretch. Once upon a time all these methods were actually used. But shoes were different at that time. And the requirements for appearance too. Whether you should experiment with potentially dangerous methods today is up to you to decide. But you should know that even clean water (without printing ink from newspapers and kerosene) is not good for shoes and can ruin their appearance. Therefore, it is better to refrain from using such methods.

Do not use wet newspapers to stretch sneakers, as printing ink can ruin the appearance of the shoes.

Professional methods

Today, in hardware and shoe stores, as well as on specialized websites, you can purchase special tools and devices for comfortable stretching of shoes at home.

Advantages of professional tools and devices:

efficiency (declared by manufacturers and confirmed by numerous reviews of product consumers);
When using mechanical stretchers, there is no need to wear the sneakers on your own feet, which means there will be no pain during the process.

The only drawback is the price. By purchasing professional means for stretching shoes, the final cost of sneakers will increase.

Shoe stretcher

A special device for stretching shoes is a screw mechanism that is inserted inside the product and expanded both in length and width. With its help, you can adjust the size and fullness of shoes, taking into account the individual characteristics of the foot.
A shoe stretcher from the German company Nico can be purchased on Yandex.Market for 2,600 rubles

The surface of the device is equipped with special holes into which you can insert plastic attachments of different sizes, included in the kit. They allow shoes to stretch in specific places, which is especially convenient for people with non-standard sizes (for example, with a protruding bone or after injuries with fractures).

Video: how to stretch shoes using wooden blocks

Shoe stretchers

Foams and stretching sprays are small-volume cylinders (from 50 to 150 ml), the composition of which is designed to soften and stretch tight shoes. On average, one cylinder (100 ml) is enough to treat five pairs of shoes.

How to use:

Shake the bottle of product so that the ingredients are evenly mixed.
Apply foam to problem areas of shoes from the inside and outside. The foam is absorbed in 1–2 minutes. The shoe material remains damp for some time after this. It is at this time that it is most elastic and easily stretchable.
Insert a mechanical shoe stretcher inside each shoe and use the screw mechanism to adjust the length and width. When the sneaker is already noticeably well tensioned on the spacer, you should turn the screws, increasing the tension, carefully, a little at a time, so as not to deform the material.
Shoes stretched on stretchers can be left for 2-3 days, periodically slightly tightening the screw mechanisms.

You can stretch the spray-treated sneakers on your feet, after wearing thick socks. Manufacturers of stretching agents guarantee excellent softening of the material and painless removal of tight spots. To do this, after treating the surface of the sneakers with a professional composition, you need to walk in them for at least 30 minutes. And if necessary, repeat the procedure.

The Tarrago Expander stretcher for sneakers effectively softens the material and ensures that the shoe fits the shape of the foot.

Table: overview of popular and effective sprays for stretching shoes

Video: stretching tight shoes using Twist stretch foam

Shoes that pinch are a nuisance, but tight sports shoes that require active movement are a real punishment. But you won’t have to suffer if you use one of the life hacks on how to stretch sneakers or sneakers to fit the size and fullness of your feet. You just need to choose a method that matches the material from which the pair is made, and be patient. And then after a couple of days you will be able to wear shoes with pleasure, and not hide your tears because of the pain because your feet seemed to be in a vice.

Is it really possible to improve the situation?

Everyone has encountered the situation when, when trying on sneakers or sneakers, it seemed that this was the ideal pair of shoes for you. Just like with the fact that when you come home or put on new clothes for training, you feel that your legs are shackled in pads that squeeze everywhere.

That’s when you have to look for ways to “plant” the couple on their feet. This can be done, but!

lengthening a sneaker or sneaker by one size is unrealistic, maximum by half a size;
fabric shoes stretch faster, but are also deformed more easily, so you should not experiment with methods of expanding or lengthening shoes for leather, setting out to adjust the size of suede sneakers.

A few words about consumer rights

The best option to stop tormenting yourself with uncomfortable shoes is to return them under warranty. In our country, there is a “Right of 14 days” - this is the period during which you can return the purchased pair by presenting a cash receipt (or a copy thereof), a warranty card and your passport.

In this case, the item returned must

have no signs of being worn outdoors or indoors;
be free from scuffs or creases;
be in the original configuration (with insoles, inlays, etc.).

Trust a professional

This is the best way to adjust sports shoes to your feet if you can’t return a pair. The master, firstly, will choose the most appropriate option for widening the sneakers or sneakers, and secondly, he will be able to vouch for the result. If the problem is increasing the length of a pair, then a special design is usually used - something like a last with screws, which can move apart and stretch the material from which the shoes are made.

The same method is also suitable for expanding models - only the nozzle changes. In addition, craftsmen use professional sprays, creams or powders, which, by acting on the fibers of the material, can solve the problem of tight and uncomfortable shoes.

What does success depend on?

When choosing a way to adjust shoes to size, you should rely on the material from which the pair is made - we have already mentioned this. In addition, an important role is played

what raw material the sole is made of (for example, you should not pour boiling water on shoes with rubber soles or toes);
shape (for example, if the sneakers are high and cover the ankles, then when working with a pair it is important not to break the heel).

Thus, only after carefully weighing all the subtleties of the issue can one begin to make corrections.

How to properly stretch in length at home?

Of course, it is impossible even for higher powers to guarantee that your fingers bent in half after using one or another option for increasing the pair’s length will be able to fully straighten and feel comfortable. But it’s quite possible to make sure your nails don’t catch on the top of the sock. Next, we will look at options for how to fit shoes to your feet if discomfort occurs in the toe area.

Sneakers

Please note that only leather sneakers can be lengthened with a predictable result. Suede needs to be worn for some time so that it “lengthens”, but it is better to give leatherette sneakers to someone who will fit them in size, since you can do anything with such material, but it is impossible to foresee how it will end.

Steam and paper

This is the most successful and least expensive option for stretching leather sneakers.

Instructions:

We hold the sneakers above the steam.
We stuff it with crumpled newspapers without deforming the model.
Dry at room temperature until the paper is dry.

This is interesting. Drying near heating devices, a hairdryer or in the sun is strictly prohibited: the sports pair will become deformed and lose its presentation.

Vinegar

If you moisten a cotton pad with vinegar, apply it to the inside of the sneakers, put on a pair and walk for 1-2 hours, then the shoes can be lengthened by 1-2 millimeters.

Spacers

Shoe stores sell lasts to widen or lengthen a pair. Before using them, the inner surface of the shoe must be moistened with alcohol or stretching spray. Then you can set the desired length with a screw and place the last inside the sneaker.

This is interesting. This method is not suitable for textile shoes.

Video. How to increase the size of sneakers using ice?

Ways to expand small sneakers

Water

Instructions:

We put wet sneakers on our socks.
We lace tightly.
We actively move (run, jump) until the pair dries completely.

This is interesting. As the foot dries, it may become hot. In this case, you can carefully pour cold water over the rubber sole.

If your butt presses

It's time to talk about what to do if unpleasant sensations arise in the heel area, that is, pinching in the heel.

For sneakers and sneakers, the methods for solving the problem will be the same.

Hammer to the rescue

An old, but no less effective option, it will require you to have minimal experience with a hammer.

Instructions:

Wet a soft cloth with water.
We apply it to the backdrop from the inside.
We position the sneaker so that the heel area is on a hard surface.
Lightly tap it with the flat side of the hammer.

Dexterity of hands, or rather fingers

If the backdrop is made of rubber or hard leather, then you can soften it using... your own fingers. You need to gently knead the problem area until it becomes softer.

This is interesting. To save time in both cases, the backdrop can be held over steam for a couple of minutes - this will make the material more pliable for further manipulation.

How to make narrow sports shoes wider?

There are many more ways to increase the width of sneakers than there are options to lengthen them.

The most important thing is the use of special sprays, creams, and impregnations to expand the skin, which are produced by leading brands associated with the production of shoe care products. You can purchase these products at household chemical stores or retail outlets that sell slippers.

This is interesting. Before you begin to expand leather shoes, the pair must be lubricated with a special compound for natural material, for example, castor oil (or any other leather protectant).

Sneakers

Resourceful lovers of sports shoes have come up with a very effective option for increasing the free space for your feet: you just need to pull out the insole.

If you really can’t live without it, then you can replace the standard “sneaker” (thick) one with a regular thin one.

Alcohol and laundry soap

For a leather pair, a combination of alcohol and fat will be effective.

Instructions:

Pour alcohol into sneakers.
Rub the inside with slightly melted laundry soap.
Let it dry.

This is interesting. If the lining fabric is made of poor quality material, then the sneakers may develop an odor that will be difficult to get rid of.

Kerosene

An alternative to alcohol and fat can be kerosene.

We wet the shoes from the inside and walk around the house for about 40 minutes.

This is interesting. As in the previous option, a smell may appear.

Glass cleaner

You can widen your sneakers without any consequences by using an alcohol-containing glass cleaner.

Instructions:

Spray the steam generously outside and inside.
We put on thick woolen socks and walk in treated shoes for 2 hours.

This is interesting. This unusual method has been tested by not a single sports shoe lover. Moreover, it is suitable for both a leather pair and leatherette sneakers.

Steam

This is interesting. This method can only be used for leather shoes.

You can expand the sports pair by holding it over a pan of boiling water. After steaming, we put sneakers on our feet and walk around the house for 2-3 hours.

Boiling water

This is interesting. Genuine leather can withstand exposure to boiling water up to 300 degrees.

This option will require some courage from you, because you need to pour boiling water into the sneakers, leave for 10 minutes, and then patiently wait until they dry completely at room temperature.

Sneakers

Moisture

Converses are quite easy to expand. And in a completely simple way: wet a pair, put on thick socks and walk around the house. If the sneakers are made of thin textiles, then it is enough to wear wet socks, and do not expose the shoes themselves to water.

Ice

Instructions:

We fill bags made of dense polyethylene with water.
We put them in sneakers.
Place the pair in the freezer.
After the water freezes, we take out a prototype and wait for the ice to thaw.
We remove the bags and dry the insole.

This is interesting. You can stretch suede sports shoes in the same way.

Video. How to stretch sneakers using a hair dryer, cardboard box, tape and wool socks?

How can you stretch or expand children's shoes?

There are no special rules for children's sports shoes. There are only a number of important recommendations.

Since the skin of a child is more sensitive than that of an adult, you should not use steam to treat

kerosene;
cologne;
alcohol, etc.

It is better to focus on methods based on the use of water (in different states of aggregation) and mechanical options (special pads or a hammer to soften the backdrop). And, of course, it is advisable that the toddler’s legs do not take part in the procedure when it comes to putting on wet shoes or socks.