Got Tight Shoes - How to stretch with steam and a broom handle 

Makes so much sense to have shoes the shape of a foot. But fashion and trendy looking shoes make sales I guess.

You're looking for "barefoot shoes". There's a whole market on that. But I tell you, once you go there you're never going back to conventional shoes

They should make feet shaped like shoes

@@ShakaShinePressureWashing wear conventional shoes long enough and your feet will be deformed into shoe shaped

Not very elegant, as you will see

Winning!

Good skills, you'll be happy face now! Not nice when shoes hurt all day eh!

Did the shoes become wide so your fingers doesn't hurr anymore?

Did it work?

Happy to help!

Good skills, you can now walk without thought of your tight shoes!

Good on yer, Cobbler!😄@@shanesshoerepairs

Thanks Lori!

Updates?

You should wear thicker socks it helps a lot as well as either getting a shoe stretched or buying a shoe stretcher

works a treat for pinky toe

@@shanesshoerepairs excellent

bench mounted shoe stretching machines like in these photos shanes.co.nz/products/stretching search for your local cobbler and ask if they have one.

Works great with leather footwear that also has either a leather insole board or at least not a cardboard insole board. Even some cheaper tramping boots have the cardboard insole board.

Works best with leather. Best to use a shoe stretcher for synthetic or textiles.

It will stretch them ok. There is risk of staining light colours if the moisture soaks through. If they are new or valuable you will be best to take to a cobbler for advice and stretching. Is the insole removable? This might give you room until they give and fit better.

@shanebarrshoerepairs Thank you. I'll take the insole out and wear them in for a bit more and if there's not much of a change by then I'll take them to a cobbler and see what they can do

Carefully. WIth a shoe stretcher. Focus on the spots that are tight using the bumps on the stretcher, rather than making the entire shoe bigger. Also consider stretching spray.

Take care and yes this may do it.

Sure can

Yes it’s better than no heat.

you can work on the sides of the shoe to get some width. Else find a cobbler with machines like these shanes.co.nz/products/stretching?_pos=1&_psq=stretc&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Works best with leather and take care not to rip lining. If in doubt take to cobbler to stretch

@@shanesshoerepairs I haven’t seen or heard the word cobbler in decades. Thanks for actually using it

@@Obiamajoyisrmd Cheers I get in some trouble for using it as people have varying understanding of what it means.

@@shanesshoerepairs You’re talking cobblers. 😂 Joke.

@@JAY1892 you’ll enjoy Adam Sandlers movie the cobbler 😂

yes and take care with lighter colours ... don't need a water stain.

Better to use shoe stretcher machine on synthetics.

Yes any area you can get the broom at. Take care and good plan to try on an old not so favorite pair to get used to it.

Stretcher machine best, else jam a tin of beans or a strong glass jar - be careful.

Works best with leather and take care not to rip lining. If in doubt take to cobbler to stretch

Take it easy with light or delicate leathers, good to practice on an old pair.

worth a go

Would this work for the width of a shoe as well

Yes ... you could steam then wear them or steam and insert a strong jar that is a tight fit.@@jessicaedwards9336

Worth a try, else onto a shoe stretcher machine. Or jam a can or sturdy glass jar in there.

Tea hee 😂

Nice shoes, ideally take to your cobbler and get them stretched on machine. And yes I'm sure it will work with the steam and broom method. Practice on your old shoes first.

@@shanesshoerepairs thank you I’ve read that it’s easier to stretch a shoe wider but it’s often harder and you risk damaging the shoe if you stretch it length wise I’m only looking to get them stretched a few cm length wise is this doable you think without changing the look of the shoe

@@deenerpeener Unlikely to stretch a shoe "a few cm length wise" better to sell while all is good and buy some that fit.

@@shanesshoerepairs thanks man!

Somewhat, take care, practice on an old pair.

Jam a strong jar or can of beans in there … carefully. Else take to cobbler for stretch on machine.

Thank you I will try that@@shanesshoerepairs

difficult. Cobbler on machine may help. Also try thinner insole or remove existing to test.

@@shanesshoerepairs yeah right, i'll just try the ice solution thanks sir

good plan, love to hear how it goes.@@gads994

No, the rubber shrinks back

Better to use a shoe stretching machine

@@shanesshoerepairs oh thanks for the response! I’d like to get a pair of astronaut boots but the 6 is big and wide - they fit ok with a super thick insole and thick socks but quite clunky when walking, plus they’ll stretch a bit more 🥲 the size 5 is too small but I’m worried it won’t stretch enough and will remain small 🥲 so I’m quite torn. I have the same problem with dr martens

@@thebabymomo2709 yeah it's tough to not buy something when you like them. But it's better to not spend the money if they don't fit. I've spent a few dollars on shoes too big and too small. Not nice to wear.

Greetings from New Zealand :-) you would be better off with a mechanical shoe stretcher that you can leave your shoes on overnight. Some shoe shops have them out back and most cobblers or shoe repairers have them. Here's what shoe stretchers may look like shanes.co.nz/products/stretching Common shoe stretching questions 1. Does shoe stretching really work? Yes it does. Works best on unlined leather. Works best when placed on a shoe stretcher for 4 -24 hours. Even better if you can heat and wet them (not a great plan for light leathers that may stain). Also tightening the stretcher several time while the shoes are on them. 2. How much does it cost to have your shoes stretched? Varies widely. Some shoe retailer shops do it as a service for free on shoes bought in their store. Repairers tend to know the ones that give trouble ... soles come off or seams split. And so they charge more for certain ones because extra care and time is taken. As a very rough guide $25 - $50 per pair. 3. How long does it take to stretch shoes? 4 - 24 hours. Depends on 3 things. How much stretch it needed. Material or leather type. Stretcher type. If you only need a slight easing on a bunion, 15 mins may well do it. If they are hard leather work boots with lots of seams a stitching and you need more then half a size ... you may never get enough room! Any way hope that helps Shane 🙂

@@shanesshoerepairs thank you very much although I doubt I would find those here I live. I ll I've In a small town without much access to this kind of tech. Is there any diy technique to do it ?? My shoes are a bit tight around the toes and causing my feet to heat up

@@saipranav88 Try a strong jar, a tin of fruit etc. And try the broom handle idea with or with out team. Just make sure the end is smooth. Don't want to roughen up the lining. And triy taking the insoles out to make more room.

@@shanesshoerepairs thank you 🙏🙏

I see no reason why not from here.

@@shanesshoerepairs ok. I was worried it would ruin the dye. Thanks

How’s a great time to try a bigger size? If the insole is removable do they feel better? Else take it easy and make sure end of broom is smooth.

⁠​⁠@@shanesshoerepairssize up was huge on me :/ guess i will try this

Shoe stretcher machine will work better on those. You could try them with the insole out.

Worth a try. It's likely the heel stiffener that is giving issue and once that cools down it will be hard again. Getting the boot on a pipe and tapping the seams and any lumps may also help.

the first time I saw this done was in Live Footage Tauranga and I was buying some $320 Clarkes ... that I still wear. I mentioned they were tight on my right big toe and Quentin showed me the trick and I put them back on and bought them. About 16 years ago.

It may work if you only need a little stretch ... let us know how it goes

Better to use stretching machine

Sounds like you did a good save!

Try slipping the insole out, if that helps replace it with a thin leather one.

Few reasons it does work in a certain pair of shoes. Not leather? Not enough steam? Not enough force. Also some shoes have avery well reinforced toe box and this makes stretching the toe area really tricky. Might be time to get your tight shoes onto a proper bench mounted shoe stretching machine. Hope yo solve it, lifes too short for tight shoes and sore feet.

Good news, bad news! 😃

Better to use stretching machine as air forces have a few layers and rows of stitching.

Also be careful with steam and applying heat to air forces because although the stitching is visible, there is quite a bit of glue composite in air forces that weakens with heat

Best to discuss with your cobbler and get them stretched on the proper machine. I'll find a video about taking shoes to be stretched and load it to youtube.

Have a quick watch of this before going to cobbler. ru-vid.comqe2e8AyB7T8

Not ideal on PVC. Better to use a mechanical stretcher. They do shrink back a bit afterwards. Can you remove the insole?

Try Para rubber if you need the EVA or take to cobbler if you want the job done. www.shanes.co.nz/store/p228/Shoe-Raise.html#/

Sorry to hear. Best to test gently.

@@shanesshoerepairs yeah my mistake

Yes ... but not much. Try the fit with the insole removed ... if it is easily removed. Else try bigger size.

Send a pic and note of where they are tight to shane@shanes.co.nz and I'll see what I can come up with. Heres's machines we have plus a couple that get inserted into long boots www.shanes.co.nz/blog/shoe-stretching#/

Yes good idea and I've added bumps to big toe tip and little toe. doesn't look elegant but works ok.

Hi, I’m a repair guy. No shoe making for me.

Huh ... maybe the answer is in your question? Dr Martens are for on your feet! Yes you can try this on your DM's. If no luck take to your cobbler to get them put on the stretching machines. Take a look in the pictures at this link and you'll see the silver lasts that go in shoes to help stretch. The holes in them can hold bumps to help stretch local areas like you big toe ... or thumb :-). Good luck.