Style Shoes & Accessories How to Stretch Shoes So They Fit Better Than Ever There’s an easy cure for a tight spot or a pinched toe. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 29, 2022 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Getty Images We're all guilty of keeping shoes that are just a tiny bit too narrow along the sides, or ones that pinch our toes a little too much. Fortunately, you don't have to suffer too-tight shoes—as long as you only need a 1/2 inch or less of room, you can try one of these tricks to help stretch your shoes to make them fit your feet like a glove. Of course, if you're trying to squeeze your feet into a shoe three sizes too small, a la Cinderella's stepsisters, you're better off just buying a new pair. Keep in mind that these tips for stretching shoes work better on natural materials such as canvas and leather—shoes made of polyurethane and other synthetic materials tend to shrink back to their original size over time. How to Clean White Shoes How to Stretch Shoes 01 of 04 Apply a little heat To stretch leather shoes, a blow dryer and thick socks are all you need to address too-tight shoes. Put on a thick pair of socks with the shoes, then aim your blow dryer at the tight spots, using medium heat to soften the shoe until it fits comfortably. It usually takes a couple of minutes to stretch the shoe a little more (just keep the hair dryer's nozzle moving to avoid damaging the leather). Tip: Apply a little leather conditioner after you stretch your shoes to help keep the leather in tip-top shape. RELATED: How to Make Any Type of Shoe More Comfortable 02 of 04 Use ice to stretch your shoes Ice can be just as effective as heat for fixing a tight pair of shoes. Partially fill a sandwich bag with water and place it in the area where the shoe is snug. Put the shoe in the freezer. As the water freezes into ice, it'll expand and help stretch the shoe out. 03 of 04 Invest in a shoe stretcher If you regularly have problems with pinching in your shoes, a shoe stretcher may be a wise investment. (High-rated shoe stretchers on Amazon come in around the $20 mark.) Shoe stretchers can be used to stretch the length of your shoes or widen them, and you'll even find specialized stretchers that can stretch out the calf in a boot or that work specifically with heels. To use a shoe stretcher, start by spraying the parts of the shoe you want to stretch with a shoe stretching solution, which can help relax the fibers of the leather or canvas so they can expand. Put the stretcher into the shoe so that it's tight against the toe box. Turn the handle until you see the shoe expand and leave it for six to eight hours. Try it on to see if it fits—if it doesn't, turn the handle a few more times and repeat the process until it does. It may take a few days to get you to the size you need. If you have specific spots that need a bump out (to stop rubbing on a bunion, for instance), most stretchers come with small plugs you can place in with the stretcher to give you a little extra space in just the right spot. 04 of 04 Take it to the pros If it's a particularly expensive or special pair of shoes and you don't quite trust your shoe stretching skills, a professional shoe repair shop can do the adjustments for you. They know exactly how to stretch your shoes so you get the perfect fit. Frequently Asked Questions How much bigger can you stretch a shoe? If your new shoes are too snug, it is possible to stretch them to a half or a whole size bigger. You can do this through various methods, including ones that apply cold or heat. Can you stretch your shoes overnight? While it is possible to stretch some shoes overnight, most shoes take about 24-48 hours to stretch. Can you stretch all types of shoes? While most shoes will stretch and mold to fit your feet over time, many can be manually stretched. Leather shoes are easiest to stretch, but most fabrics and materials can also be stretched. Faux leather and vinyl shoes do not respond as well to stretching due to the make up of the material, which is better at holding its shape. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit