What to do if your boots pinch your toes?

How can you quickly break in your winter boots when they pinch at the toe? Use the same stretching sprays. Apply as instructed, put on your boots or ankle boots and stretch until you can pull the cuffs apart.

How to sunbathe in winter boots

Your new boots or ankle boots are in the hallway waiting for you to put them on. The moment has come, you put on your boots and suddenly realize that they are too tight for you and that you get blisters after just a few steps.... Uncomfortable. You don't want to return the pair and you lose time. It can also happen that used shoes are too tight and can no longer be returned. What can you do? ITAITA explains how to wear tight winter boots.

Tight shoes are not only uncomfortable, but can also cause many other health problems. And it's not just about bubbles. For example, a typical condition of fashionistas who prefer pointed models is a bunion. Yes, a bunion that plagues many girls. The first symptoms are an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe, its redness and swelling, and pain even at rest.

metatarsalgia – Pain between the heel and toe caused by excessive loading of the toe in an improper shoe size.

heel spur - also an unpleasant phenomenon caused by the formation of a lesion on the bone surface.

In order to avoid problems, it is important to choose the right shoes in advance, both in terms of tightness and size. And if the problem has already arisen, and the model in question is too small, then there are secrets for wearing tight winter boots.

Before that, you need to identify the areas that you need to focus on. And the material from which the boots are made must also be considered.

Running in of winter boots made of smooth leather

Smooth leather boots often chafe in certain places. If the problem isn't the shape of your foot or the shoe, but the narrowness of the boot, there are a number of things you can do.

Foam. spray. There are special expansion foams for professional shoe care products. The product is sprayed onto the inside of the shoe and pulled over the tight sock. The use of a hair dryer or heater to speed up the drying process is strongly discouraged. For this reason, it is important to have an extra pair of shoes as a backup.

The shoe lasts. You can buy a device for your own use (these devices are sold in stores) and follow the instructions for stretching the shoes yourself, or you can ask for help from a cobbler who has a wide range of means and can stretch the shoes without losing their quality characteristics and affecting their appearance. The shoes may not grow more than half a size at the heel, otherwise cracks and deformations may occur.

Popular folk stretching methods

There are a number of effective techniques for stretching tight shoes without damaging their original appearance and material. In doing so, the most easily accessible means are used.

Alcohol and liquids containing alcohol

You can stretch tight shoes with pure alcohol or liquids containing alcohol. You will need about 50 ml of spirits, vodka or an alcoholic cologne:

• Pour half of the liquid into the shoe.
• Dampen warm socks with the remaining liquid and pull them over your feet.
• Put your shoes on and walk around the house for a few hours. Usually 1-2 hours is enough for the couple to stretch and get in shape.

socks and warm air

You need warm wool socks and a hair dryer. Stretch like this:

• Put on socks and try to 'slide' your feet into the shoes.
• Heat the toes and particularly stubborn areas with the hot air of a hair dryer for 15-20 seconds.
• Let the shoe cool down completely on the foot.
• Continue this process until the shoe is sufficiently stretched.

Old Newspapers

A method suitable for leather goods. You will need a large amount of old newspapers:

• Tear the newspaper into small pieces.
• Pour the mixture into water and let it swell and soften.
• Fill the shoes with the mixture, as densely as possible.
• Let them dry under natural conditions for a few days.

This is a 'cold' way to stretch shoes that pinch your toes:

• Put plastic bags (new, without holes) in the shoes and carefully spread them out.
• Pour water in, not all the way to the top, but about halfway.
• Tie the bags at water level and place them in the freezer, which is where they should be. When the water turns to ice, it stretches the product. This lasts for about a day.

elongation properties

The choice of stretch properties should be based on the material of the shoe. Let's take a look at the most common options:

natural leather

Natural leather products are much more demanding when it comes to stretching methods as the leather itself tends to dry out and harden after a long period of rest. There are a few things you can do to solve the problem of tight leather shoes:

• vegetable oil or petroleum jelly. Use a cotton swab drizzled with a small amount of petroleum jelly or oil to wipe the product on all sides. If the shoe only stings in the toe area, you can only treat the problem area to avoid smearing the entire shoe.
• Vinegar. Rub the inside of the shoe with 3% vinegar and let it dry.
• muesli or cereal. As described above, any grain or grain that swells when wet can be used. Fill the product with the raw material, and then add water. Leave the product overnight, take out the 'fungus' in the morning and wipe down your shoes.

suede

Suede shoes should be handled with care as it is a delicate shoe material that requires special care. So it's better to resort to the 'natural' method of stretching - putting on a new pair and walking around the house for an hour or two every day. In this way, the shoes eventually take on the right shape.

If you're short on time and want to put on a new pair right away, you can try beer. Simply wet the inside of the shoes with the drink, throw on thick socks, and wear them for a couple of hours. Then air them out thoroughly.

Cloth and artificial materials

Any of the methods described above can be used for shoes made from artificial materials, but be careful with textile products. Such shoes can only be stretched with water. You can use two techniques:

Master's Opinion.

If you bought smaller shoes, it is better not to try to stretch them. Even 1 cm stretch is not good for leather. First it stretches and then it can easily tear. Make sure you don't do it like the wolf in the cartoon 'Wait!' doing stretching his skates on the paws so they got 3 sizes bigger.

Most repairs stretch the width of the shoe or the ankle, but not always the length, and when they do, it's only by millimeters, not centimeters. That is the reason why. If you stretch the upper part of your shoe by 1 cm or more, stretch it over the sole. Put simply, your sole is a size 37 and you want to stretch the upper to a size 38. It appears to grow beyond the sole and the lifespan of a shoe stretched in this way will be less. Masters recommend stretching the shoe to a maximum length of 2-3 mm. They use special pads of a precise length to do this, rather than randomly pulling in different directions. It's a little easier to stretch the shoe to the width: This way the laces don't tear. In this case, you should aim for about half a size.

Now let's move on to an overview of the most popular methods you can try at home.

Top 6 best methods to do at home

We carefully studied forums and reviews to tell you exactly the methods you can use to effectively stretch leather shoes at home.

• I tried on my patent leather shoes in the shop - they fit perfectly. I wanted to show them off at home and found out: they are too tight! I didn't want to change them and they pinched at one spot in the big toe area. I burned the inside of the shoes with a kettle of boiling water. I put on my wool socks, put on my shoes, which had cooled by now, and started walking around the room. Patience!!! Then I took them off, rested and did it again. I thought they were too expensive. No - they were spot on. I managed to take them apart. What I'm saying is that the boiled water ones that were painted stretched 5mm, more like 3mm.

Professional methods of stretching shoes.

To make sure you don't ruin your new pair and add that coveted millimeter of volume or length, trust the pros. They know exactly how to stretch tight shoes without compromising on quality.

Shoe stores have special devices and products that passively loosen a pair without dangerous pressure. The sprays and foams from the professionals are often available in different concentrations because only experienced craftsmen know how to use them correctly.

In a shoe repair shop, a professional can use shims to not only add a few millimeters to the length of the shoe, but also the width, for example by stretching the cuff of a shoe that is too tight. However, be prepared that this process will not be quick. Only efficient stretching can avoid negative consequences for the shoe. So stock up on a spare pair and leave the shoes that are too tight to the pros.

How do you stretch your shoes at home?

Those who want to save money and simply do not have time to go to a shoe repair shop, search the Internet for tips on how to stretch shoes at home. Some tips are self-evident, others are better left out so as not to ruin your new shoes and boots.

Let's see what the experimenters advise.

· alcohol. Make a solution with water or take cologne and treat a tight product inside and out, wipe the entire product, or treat only specific areas. Apply the slightly damp product to your feet in thick socks and walk around the apartment until the steam has dissipated.

Everything is fine, but you can't get rid of the smell of alcohol, let alone the smell of cologne. The shoes will give off the smell. Therefore, this method is only suitable for those who like the smell of alcohol and are willing to enjoy its vapors throughout the day.

– vegetable oil. Apply to the inside or outside of the perspiration, leave vigorously for two to three hours and wipe off the residue with a paper towel.

Remove the residue with a napkin? That's quite a task. Vegetable oil that has seeped into the inner lining of shoes, especially if they are made of baize or wool, can no longer be removed. Socks and tights will always be soaked with residues of the substance, so detachment during a visit is unlikely, let alone damaged stockings. You should remove this method from your bucket list.

- Hot water. What's easier - pour very hot water into the boots, drain the liquid, apply the product to tight socks and walk around the house.

Above all, the product could only splash; the manufacturers could hardly have foreseen that someone would want to use fashionable boots and ankle boots as paraphernalia…. They just don't survive such ordeal with boiling water.

Second, even if the boot doesn't shatter, it loses its properties; once dried in boiling water, the product can lose its elasticity and tear quickly, allowing moisture to penetrate inside.

How to increase the size of a shoe

If your shoes, boots and ankle boots are a little tight at the toes, you can make them bigger. Not much, of course, but 4-5 millimeters is enough to feel comfortable. Using the methods mentioned, you can stretch shoes made of natural leather, artificial leather or suede. These are plastic materials that change when exposed to heat. We recommend three methods:

• Pour boiling water into the shoe for 2-3 seconds. This time is enough for the material to become soft and flexible. Wipe off the moisture with a dry cloth, paper towels, or napkins. When the shoes have cooled, put them on and walk around in them until the inner lining is dry.
• Stretch the stretched leather shoes with ice. Fill the bags ¼ full with water and place them in the shoes. Put the complex structure in the freezer and let it stand for a couple of hours. Then take it out, wait for the ice to melt and take the bags out of the shoe. Be warned that this 'sharp' method may not work for every couple. Suede shoes should not be stretched this way.
• Vodka or pure alcohol work well as home remedies for stretching. Wet the inside of the shoes, put them on and walk around in them for a few hours until they feel comfortable on your foot. You can put on thick socks to stretch your boots faster.

These methods are well suited for boots with a fur lining in the mid-season, autumn and winter. Be careful not to get the fur too wet and dry it thoroughly after treatment.

What to do if the cuff is too tight?

Have you ever caught yourself wearing boots that fit like a glove? But the problem is that the cuff is a bit tight and cannot be closed completely. That's a pity, of course, but not hopeless. Before you stretch the cuffs of your boots, measure how many inches you need to add volume so you don't overstretch. Note that patent leather can tear during the stretching process. Do not carry out this procedure at home, but contact a professional. Leather and suede shoes can be stretched by 2-3 centimeters at the cuff using simple recipes:

• The quickest and cheapest way is to use purchased funds. Apply foam or spray to the cuff, button it up immediately, and walk in your shoes for 30-40 minutes.
• You can also use the freezer. The principle is the same, but to avoid the shoe stretching to size, put a crumpled newspaper inside. Fill the cuffs with water using a bag.
• Stuff the cuffs tightly with paper or newspaper. Moisten them with hot or boiling water. Alternatively, you can put on the wet shoes and walk around in them until the material dries. The shoes fit and keep their shape during the drying process.
• Suede shoes can be straightened with a hot iron. Iron the cuffs through a damp cloth on both sides. Put the boots on immediately and wait for them to cool down on the foot.
• If you need to stretch winter boots with fur insulation, then the above methods are not suitable. You will then need a hair dryer and thick socks or tights. Put on your boots and button them up as much as you can. Then blow the leather at maximum temperature. It will slowly stretch and you will gradually buckle everything. Walk for 2-3 hours until the leather molds to your foot.

Professional products for tight shoes

Tight shoes can be corrected with special products sold in shoe stores. Sprays and aerosols are currently available for this purpose. They contain chemicals that soften the leather. The spray is applied from the inside to the area to be stretched. Then you put on your shoes and walk around in them for a while.

How the spray will behave on artificial leather is difficult to say in advance. Therefore, you should try the product on a small, inconspicuous piece of leather.

Don't expect miracles from the spray! It is used for easy stretching; You will not be able to resize it.

When working with sprays, observe safety rules. The spray bottle should be shaken before use. It is better to work with gloves in a well-ventilated room.

How to wear shoes with folk remedies?

Various folk remedies can be found on the Internet to help wear shoes or ensure that the sock or heel does not pinch.

A laundry soap mixed with water can be applied to the inside of worn shoes and left on for at least six hours. The mixture should be gently rinsed off and the damp pair dressed and worn until dry.

We know from physics that matter expands when exposed to heat. A hair dryer can help increase the width of faux leather shoes. Put on your shoes and use the hair dryer to heat up exactly the area where it pinches or pinches. Wear the warm shoes until they cool down. A tumble dryer can also be used instead of a hair dryer.

Freezing works the same way. Seal bags of water tightly and place in shoes or boots. Then send the boots in the freezer. Keep the shoes in the cold for at least 12 hours.

Important: Particularly sensitive or varnished imitation leather must not be cooled or heated.

Alcohol solution can also be used to loosen faux leather. Proceed in the same way as with the soap. Mix the alcohol with water and apply to the inside of the shoe to stretch the heel or ankle area. The wet shoes should be put on and worn until they are dry.

Oily products also help stretch leather shoes. Vaseline can be applied to the inside of the shoe where it pinches or causes discomfort. Then put on tight socks and wear the shoes at home for 2 to 3 hours.

Some tips for choosing the right shoes

Tight shoes can be caused by a variety of fit issues, such as: B:

1. The sock is too tight
2. the instep is not high enough
3. the overall length of the shoe is too short,
4. The shape of the shoe does not fit your foot,
5. the height of the heel puts stress on your toes or other parts of your foot.

If you have any doubts about the comfort and fit of your shoes, it's always better to throw them away. An ill-fitting pair can cause damage and deformity to your feet and joints over time. You can always find better-fitting sneakers, sports shoes, low shoes or boots elsewhere.

Signs that your shoes don't fit you

• Your toes appear to be clenched or overlapped.
• The sole is injured or chafed when walking.
• Your toes are not pointing straight.
• Her big toe rests against the toe of the shoe.

When the shoe fits properly, there is space between the toes and the toes point straight ahead and are not turned to one side.

In the video you can see how some of the above techniques are performed by professionals:

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How do you quickly put on new shoes that stiffen?

Even the most comfortable sneaker can fail at the wrong time and leave a callus on the heel. It is often not due to the size or fullness of the foot, but to the individual characteristics of the foot, which cannot be taken into account when manufacturing the shoes.
Therefore, before deciding on a new pair, you should take precautions: try on the shoes at home or nearby, because a burning pain in the heels and toes when traveling can thoroughly spoil your mood and the joy of walking . In this article you will learn how to stretch your shoes at home.

Even if a pair of shoes seemed comfortable when you tried them on, after a few hours of wearing them, they can start to pinch. The best solution for a model that is too tight is to contact a shoe repairer. They often have special devices that allow you to lengthen or widen your shoes or sneakers without damaging your new shoe or sneaker.
If you don't have access to a shoe repair shop, there are tips on how to break in your shoes at home.

1. Special impregnation.
   There are products on the market that can be used to effectively stretch a new pair of natural or eco-leather shoes in the toe and heel areas. It is important to choose the right preparation, since different impregnating agents are suitable for different types of materials.
   Alcohol is used as the main ingredient. Emulsions, oils or chemical additives can also be added to make the leather shoe soft and supple without damaging it. Waterproofing agents come in the form of sprays, ointments, foams or simple liquids. They are first applied to a cotton swab or sponge, and then to the material. The product may only be used inside the shoe. Lubricate the chafing area, put on a sock, and then wear the pair around the apartment for an hour or two.
2. pads
   These can be purchased at workshops or shoe stores. This method is less comfortable because universal insoles do not take into account the individual anatomy of the foot. They are often used in combination with leather shoes.
3. wool socks.
   This method can also be used in combination with special plasticizers. Wear thick socks, wear shoes at home, walk around the apartment. At first you will feel uncomfortable, but after a few hours, when you try on the shoes, you will notice that walking in the shoes has become more comfortable. This method allows you to stretch your shoes up to half a size in width and length.

How to stretch shoes from natural and artificial leather at home

Natural and faux leather shoes need to be stretched more and more often, and the wrong remedy can ruin a new pair forever. Here's how to avoid grease stains, scratches and wrinkles.

natural leather

This material has many advantages: the breathable raw material prevents the foot from sweating and the high durability ensures long-lasting comfort. Depending on the species, it can be waterproof, flexible or rigid. If you choose a tight pair of leather shoes, they can wear out faster than other materials.
What to do if the shoes become stiff:

1. The wool sock method.
   Put on a pair or pairs of socks, put on the shoe, and then walk around for two hours. This option is ideal, since leather shoes and boots are very flexible.
2. Method with alcohol solution.
   Particularly suitable for stretching the material in the toes of the shoes. If leather or patent leather shoes become stiff at the toe, use a spray gun or cotton swab to apply alcohol mixed with water in a 1:2 ratio to the inside of the lining. Put on socks or rubber boots and walk in the pair until dry.
3. Method using frozen cotton pads.
   With this unconventional but effective method you can stretch the leather pair from the inside in width and length as well as in the toe area. To do this, follow a few steps:

• Put thick, whole sacks in the shoes;
• fill them with water and tie them up;
• Put them in the freezer for 8 hours.

Then take off the leather pair and remove the pouches once the ice has thawed a bit. At low temperatures, the water molecules expand and turn into ice. This method affects the vapor from within, causing it to gain volume.
This trick only works on real leather or high quality oilcloth.

Stretch shoes at home

To stretch your shoes at home, all you need to do is put on thick socks, walk around the apartment and do chores to wait for the moment when your new clothes are looser. However, this method requires time and patience. There are also cases when the discomfort is so great that it is difficult to stay in a bad couple even a minute longer. To solve the problem, you can resort to time-tested folk remedies.

Here are three great methods, tried and tested by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers, that require no special effort or financial expense:

• Dampen the insides of your shoes with vodka, put on a pair, and wear until the material dries. Vodka evaporates quite quickly, so the method does not take long. However, do not stretch the suede in this way - there is a high risk of damaging the material.
• With 3%iger Vinegar. Soak your socks with it on the inside and then put on your shoes or boots. This method allows you to stretch the bottom of a tight shoe and give your toes more freedom.
• You can easily stretch your favorite shoes or boots with newspaper. The shoe should be steamed for a few minutes. Then stuff the bottom part carefully and fairly densely with newspaper or old paper so that the stuffing repeats the shape and the shoe gets a little wider. The treated couple is then left to dry under natural conditions – without heating or radiant heaters. By the way, you can also try to stretch leather products with newspaper.

Breaking in of winter boots

All well and good, you might say, but how do you wear winter boots with fur? The fur layer makes penetration difficult, and the skin is not easy to reach. In such cases, plain water and a plastic bag can help.

Take the pouch, put it in your boot, spread it gently with your hand to fit the entire inner surface of the garment - and pour water in, then tie the pouch shut. If you only want to stretch the soil, limit the amount of water by pouring a certain volume. If stretching requires a stick, you'll need to stuff the bottom with newspaper to keep the bag from slipping out.

After filling, place the product in the freezer for about 8 hours. The water will expand as it freezes, stretching the shoe. When the time is up, take out the product and wait for the water to dissolve a little. This way you can take out the bag without damaging the material.

• What to do if the sneakers pinch in the heel?.
• How to break in a stiff heel.
• What to do if the back of the shoe rubs against the heel?.
• What to do if your shoes hurt?.
• What to do if your shoes pinch from the inside?.
• If the leather on your shoes is cracked.
• Rubbing heel in shoes.
• The socks on the big toe are torn.