Boot Stretcher

[Trouser Bark]

Got one you'd recommend? i see there are several cheesy models available on Amazon with common comments about poor durability. Given that the bulk of them probably aren't being used on the grade of boot that several here appreciate then I assume they might give out quick on a full welt construction men's leather boot.

Thought I'd slip in here for a recommendation from the group before I pressed the button on any of Amazon's commodity stuff.

 

[Modified_last_call]

Are you trying to stretch the shaft or instep?

 

[Trouser Bark]

Are you trying to stretch the shaft or instep?

Specifically interested in stretching the width of a power lineman's climbing boot from what used to be a D width to something a little closer to an E width. Primary concern is width at the ball of the foot; the shaft is fine.

 

[Trouser Bark]

This looks like it might do the trick. Available on Amazon under the trade name "Leather Hero" for a hundred bucks.

 

[Trouser Bark]

Looking through the history on this site there hasn't been much talk of this kind of thing. I'll snag one of the above units and post a review once it arrives.

 

[TartuWolf]

https://www.skolyx.com/p/stretcher-for-shoes-and-boots

 

[MrProper]

The question is whether it doesn't make more sense to buy shoes/boots that fit?
I can say that because I've talked myself out of a lot of ill-fitting shoes in my life
But I don't do that any more. I spend too much time in it and it has to be comfortable.

 

[Zoro]

I don't know if I would trust a cheapo off Amazon for something like this. I don't even know if I would trust the real thing, but, when I was a kid, my parents would bring them to the cobbler to stretch in a device as this one that I just do not know its name in English (perhaps stretcher indeed? lol):



Basically they would bring the shoes to the cobbler and leave them like a day in that device. But as there's less and less cobblers around, it might be hard to find one at all.

As said above me, best to buy shoes that fit to begin with.

 

[pillepalle123]

Feet change, boots stay for many years.. So easier said than done to suggest "buy fitting shoes".

https://www.skolyx.com/p/stretcher-for-shoes-and-boots

I have a nearly identically model from Langer&Messmer, works just fine.

I have one of these massive metal ones you find at a cobbler shop as well, but for boots with a higher shaft the model TartuWolf linked works just as good.

BTW: Use shoe stretcher or dilute 99,9% isopropanol alcohol with 50% water as a cheap but just as good alternative.
Do not forgot to apply it to the leather lining as well if there is any.

 

[pillepalle123]

This looks like it might do the trick. Available on Amazon under the trade name "Leather Hero" for a hundred bucks.

I do not like this one, seems as if there are no holes to attach those little knobs that are super useful to apply certain areas. (e.g. for Hallux valgus)

 

[AeroFan_07]

Specifically interested in stretching the width of a power lineman's climbing boot from what used to be a D width to something a little closer to an E width. Primary concern is width at the ball of the foot; the shaft is fine.

If it's rebuildable boot, I would look into having a rebuild done. What you are talking about here (width stretching) is a bit trickier than stretching out the length a bit. Typically, on a rebuild the width and length can be moderately adjusted as you specify.

 

[MrProper]

Feet change, boots stay for many years.. So easier said than done to suggest "buy fitting shoes".

If you always wear the same shoes or wear the same shape, your feet are unlikely to change. Wearing flip flops or barefoot shoes for a long time or shoes that are too big or have a wide toe box will probably change your feet in the long run. I still have dress shoes that are at least 15 years old and still fit exactly as they did when I bought them.
I usually don't like shoes for so long that I run the risk of them no longer fitting me.
It really is best to buy shoes that fit and not make any compromises.

 

[Pandemic]

The question is whether it doesn't make more sense to buy shoes/boots that fit?
I can say that because I've talked myself out of a lot of ill-fitting shoes in my life
But I don't do that any more. I spend too much time in it and it has to be comfortable.

^
This

I’ve spent too much time in narrow boots, trying to convince myself I can make them fit - including paying a cobbler to ‘stretch’ them. In my experience, you really can’t change the width significantly. At best, you might add a little overall volume

 

[AeroFan_07]

^^ And I'm actually the opposite problem. My feet are ideally a B or C width, I can "squeeze" into a D width. Anything more and it's too loose.

Width matters - for sure if its' too wide, it's quite painful (blisters may be forthcoming too). If it's too loose, your footing and stability are greatly compromised. The Nick's Tankers on my feet presently are 13B's - I would be better when 12B's but honestly the 13 is not an issue, provided they are narrow enough (as these are) to prevent side to side roll & slip. That's ankle-in compromise if it is and you take a corner too fast.

 

[Faux59]

One of my boots was slightly tight at the pinky toe. Right boot only. I used a cedar shoe tree with strips of leather taped to the side and left it in for a week then added a few more strips and left it for another week. it did the trick.

 

[Trouser Bark]

Interesting comments and much appreciated. I"ll likely try your trick, Faux59. I'd like to be able to buy perfectly fitting shoes but my lifestyle doesn't lend itself to that and at 66 I'm unlikely to learn new tricks soon. The boots I'm wearing at the moment were made in the prior century and probably 1/2 of my other favorites as well so for me I'll need to be able to adjust them at least a little even if just to turn back the effects of time.

...and Zoro, I found on eBay several large older machines similar to what you posted. None came up as "boot stretcher" but using the search term cobler tool several populated. The first looks most interesting to me. Looks stout enough to stretch a car tire; I bet it works pretty well.

 

[Jasonissm]

If you always wear the same shoes or wear the same shape, your feet are unlikely to change. Wearing flip flops or barefoot shoes for a long time or shoes that are too big or have a wide toe box will probably change your feet in the long run. I still have dress shoes that are at least 15 years old and still fit exactly as they did when I bought them.
I usually don't like shoes for so long that I run the risk of them no longer fitting me.
It really is best to buy shoes that fit and not make any compromises.

I've heard some people feet get wider as they age, also depending on some activities such as running and your arches may collapse over time leading to your feet becoming wider or longer heel to ball measurement.

I've only been running for about 2 years so I haven't experienced any of this year but I am wary of it maybe changing my foot anatomy a bit in the future.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I've heard some people feet get wider as they age, also depending on some activities such as running and your arches may collapse over time leading to your feet becoming wider or longer heel to ball measurement.

I've only been running for about 2 years so I haven't experienced any of this year but I am wary of it maybe changing my foot anatomy a bit in the future.

Losing weight especially, but also increasing exercise can make your feet less fat or chubby, even though the bones and etc are no different. So the same shoes can feel a bit looser if that happens. And vice versa, of course. I used to wear heavy dress shoes several times a week but now they're too snug on me for comfort, mainly because I stopped wearing them for several years and switched to boat shoes all the time, and my feet have broadened out a bit, especially in the toes. Plus age is a factor too. Everyone has seen their family member's bodies change, usually quite significantly, over time as they age, so of course their feet change too!!

There was a guy on Styleforum who went out and bought a dozen Alden longwing brogues in cordovan and had them all lined up in his apartment or somewhere. I remember thinking, dude you're going to wear two pairs of those, then you're going to hit middle age, your weight is going to increase, your feet are going to get a bit bigger, and most of those pairs of shoes you spent hundred of $$ buying will be unwearable. There is no such thing as lifetime shoes.

As for stretching, I can't imagine it having any meaningful, long-term effect. It risks tearing the shoes apart if done carelessly, or distorting them. I don't believe for one moment you can go from a D to an E. That's a big jump. Especially since "width" is actually a measurement of girth, i.e. circumference (and therefore volume), rather than just a linear measurement in one plane. It's like saying I want to make my car roomier inside. You can find a firm that will stretch your car, making it longer, but they can't make it wider and taller.

 

[Zoro]

Losing weight especially, but also increasing exercise can make your feet less fat or chubby, even though the bones and etc are no different

Apparently it's rare, but it did happen to me a few years ago as I lost quite a lot of weight, I basically went down half a size. Still could wear my old shoes but buying new ones half size down simply fit perfectly.

 

[TartuWolf]

Note that taste in fit changes as well. I used to think cramped footwear was fine as that's how I grew up I guess. But after finding out about barefoot style footwear (mainly in terms of toe box width) and trying some I finally understood that I've been wearing shoes that were too small all my life. So I sold off all of my 8.5D boots and replaced them with 9D ones. The toe boxes are usually more cramped than I would like with most lasts anyway, but it's still a step in the right direction. Only Munson style wide toe box lasts for me from now on if I consider purchasing something. Much better for long term health.
And in this case the main point of stretching shoes/boots for me is to increase to space, especially at the pinky location. In this scenario a boot stretching with those little location specific knobs works very well!
In terms of stretching the whole boot a width up - I also don't think that it can be done without serious danger to the integrity of the boot.