Shoes Too Tight? Try These 8 Stretching Techniques!

SHOP THE VIDEO:

GUIDES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

Discover a world of knowledge and learn with our curated playlist!

Gentleman's Gazette - Join Us!

VIDEO CREDITS:
→ Script: Jack Collins
→ Camera: Graham Zima
→ Editing: Jonathan Oster
→ Visual Supervisor: Jack Collins & Preston Schlueter
→ Workmanship
→ Orion Pictures
→ Warner Bros.

IMAGE CREDITS:
→ Crockett and Jones
→ Lowe's
→ Tealsprairie
→ LA Weekly
→ The Key Cobbler


00:00 Stretching Shoes Introduction

Have you ever felt your shoes nipping your toes or pinching your heels? Well, there are ways you can deal with this discomfort by stretching your shoes.

00:14 Are Your Shoes Too Tight?

Even a high-quality pair of leather shoes has the possibility to feel too tight, especially at first. Don’t forget, humans are asymmetric, but shoes are made to be mirror images of each other unless you go bespoke!

01:26 A Quick Disclaimer

Bear in mind, approach any attempt to stretch shoes with caution! There are other methods we’re aware of that include water, steam, rubbing alcohol solutions, and even freezing your shoes!

Leather shoes are not designed to be subjected to large amounts of moisture, let alone potentially stripping the natural properties and colored dye with alcohol solutions.

01:28 Tips to Stretch Your Shoes: 1. Understanding Your Leather
03:44 2. Use A Quality Conditioner
05:08 3. Wear Your Shoes At Night
06:18 4. Wear Thick Socks
07:04 5. Get Creative with Shoe Trees
08:52 5a. Use a Shoe Stretcher
09:57 6. Apply Heat
11:34 7. Know Your Limits
13:13 8. Go To a Professional

We hope you’ve gained some confidence to stretch that pair of shoes that’s been giving you grief! Utilizing one or several of today’s methods, you should be able to enjoy a more comfortable experience in your shoes.

14:57 Outfit Rundown

#shoes #mensshoes #menswear #mensfashion

Your dapper dose of classic men’s style, hands-on tips, & reviews. 🎩

The GENTLEMAN'S GAZETTE is your go-to ONLINE MAGAZINE and SHOP for timeless men's clothing, luxurious accessories, craftsmanship, men's style, & savoir vivre.

Prepare to embark on a sartorial journey like no other, where we unlock the secrets to help men look their best, covering every facet of the modern gentleman's living.

Dive into our treasure trove of How-To Guides, Primers, Reviews, and hands-on advice. We're here to equip you with the knowledge to not only look your best but also become more successful in every facet of your life.

We're your style mentors, teaching you everything from tying a bow tie in 4 different ways to in-depth guides on polo shirts, collar pins, scarves, pocket squares, gloves, socks, & much more!

Our videos are the culmination of over 5 years of expertise and 700+ articles, all meticulously compressed and presented to you in a simple format by our founder, Sven Raphael Schneider.

[kevin-jgnq]

I followed my podiatrist’s advice and started wearing thinner socks and not tying my shoes as tightly. It’s definitely made a difference.

[benjaminschell]

I have this problem right now. Excellent video.

[davestevens]

Drill a hole in the shoe stretcher where you you need to stretch, then apply accessory.

[joanneschoen]

You look fantastic
It’s wonderful to see that you put so much thought and care into your outfit like I do
Now I don’t feel like a freak
Thanks for validating my wardrobe habits
You are fantastic!

[madhattersc]

I’ve used isopropyl diluted with water sprayed *inside* the shoe to a point where it is saturated, but not dripping wet. Then use normal shoe stretchers, I’ve used both instep and widening stretchers. It works, but I found it won’t move much more than maybe a half size at best. The best method is the hardest but truest… just wear them and have some bandaids and blister covers at the ready.

[darksabzero]

The beards fits really well Preston, especially the moustache!

[albertvalenzuela]

Another thing that doesn't get talked about to much for the protection and longevity of your leather shoes or boots is socks
The best socks are made of merino wool
It absorbs the moisture from your feet instead of the leather
There are many brand you can choose
Darn tough, farm to feet, camel city mill, bombas, and many more

[silverjohn]

The best way to break in any pair of leather boots or shoes is to wear them. Leather has a good "memory" as it will crease and stretch and hold those changes better than synthetics.

As for soaking in water to stretch them I can speak to doing this with leather (not synthetic) military boots. If they have removable insoles take those out then fill them from the inside with water but only let them sit for a few minutes at most! Once you empty out the water put in some crumpled up paper towels or newspaper pages for fifteen minutes or so to soak up the extra moisture. Remove the paper, return the insoles then you have to use them while the leather is still wet (a half hour or hour walk should do it). Wearing a good pair of wool work socks while doing this would be a good idea as they should protect you from the worst effects of any lingering water.

[josephthorpe]

I have used a shoe stretch spray product that worked incredibly well. I found out about it because my local cobbler uses it

[iMac]

Preston, looking really good with the beard! My tassel loafers from Meermin give me blisters in the heels, hopefully something in this video will help

[becomingunhuman]

The beard looks awesome man! I wear a beard myself, fairly long compared to most and I wear a suit most of the time in my line of work and people often compliment the combination. Thank you for the video!
-Jesse

[nilsbachellery]

I used to stretch the heel with a pair of plyers, previously wrapped in a cloth towel.
Don't worry that pair of finsbury's is doing just fine and it solved my problem

[TheoTheTimeTravelingMagician]

Wow! Preston with a beard?! Lookin good! Love it!

Haven't watched the channel in a bit, and dang I'm liking Preston's beard!

[gradientO]

I think wearing tight shoes as a kid may be the primary cause of my ingrown toenails

[Camrographer]

I have a pair of Allen Edmonds croc loafers which are narrow in the toe. Do you think croc can stretch?
Ps, good choice on the facial hair definitely balances your face out makes you look more distinguished.

[Dallen]

Preston: The beard works, you'll need to keep trimming the peach fuzz areas but you look sharp with that low trimmed beard. I can see you having a cup of coffee or tea in your finest wears and still look like a proper well groomed Gentleman.

[SpamMouse]

Had a great pair of light brown shoes with a highly polished finish, but the heels were too narrow and made wearing them impossible. Left in a half-bucket of water for three days to allow the leather to completely soften then packed out with newspaper and a can of beans in the heel. Left to dry during the summer with packing in place, there was NO staining of the leather or water mark whatsoever. Removed the packing to allow to fully dry inside and out, no marks on the leather and a perfect fit. Don't be scared about taking drastic action.

[peterhess]

When I was a kid baseball gloves were made of high grade leathers. They were very stiff when brand new. The Rawlings company were, and still are, the premiere gloves. It was suggested to rub the glove pocket with neatsfoot oil when breaking the glove in. Of course, using the glove as often as possible with the oil was the best way to get the glove soft. I still have my glove I purchased almost fifty years ago. The process of rubbing conditioner in conjunction with stretchers worked well for me. I managed a half size that made a big difference.

[williambarabanitz]

Great episode - good humor. I have very wide feet and some structural issues. Any gentlemen have personal experience with you bespoke cobblers in the southwestern Pennsylvania area?