How to Stretch Faux Leather & Other Synthetic Shoes

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Add more give & comfort to your shoes with these expert tips
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Are your favorite shoes pinching your toes? Don’t worry—you don’t have to throw them out! Stretching faux leather or synthetic shoes is possible. While it may take time, you can stretch them enough to make them half a size bigger (in the best-case scenario). We spoke with leather and shoe care specialist Moe Draper to teach you how to stretch your shoes, so keep reading to learn how!

Does faux leather stretch?

Yes, faux leather and other synthetic shoes may stretch up to ½ a size bigger. For faux leather, try a leather-stretching spray or conditioner to relax the material, or place the shoes on a boot tree that’s ½ size bigger. Stretch other shoe materials with a shoe stretcher, thick socks, or a blow dryer.

Section 1 of 3:

Stretching Synthetic Leather

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  1. Read the label on a container of leather-stretching spray to ensure that your spray can be used on faux leather. Then, follow the label’s instructions to apply the spray and stretch the shoes. Typically, you mist the shoes with the spray and wear them or put them in a boot tree to stretch them out. [1]
    • There are shoe-stretching sprays for other types of shoes, but they aren’t great for plastic shoes that are made out of more than one material.

    Warning: Many stretching sprays are designed for real leather only. Read the label on a bottle of leather-stretching spray carefully to ensure that you can use it on faux leather.

  2. A boot tree is a type of shoe stretcher with a bigger heel. Get a boot tree that is half a size bigger than your shoe. Untie the laces and lift the tongue out. Slide the boot tree into the shoe and tie the laces tight.
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  3. Apply leather conditioner to soften the faux leather. Remove the laces from your shoes. Then, use a cotton pad or soft towel to scoop up a pea-sized chunk of conditioner. Work it into the leather using soft, circular motions, reloading the pad or towel as needed. Cover each section of the shoes and let the shoes air dry. [3]
    • If you don’t have leather conditioner, coconut oil is a great alternative; however, it can make the leather darker. [4]
    • Leather conditioner doesn’t technically stretch your shoes, but it does soften the leather up to make stretching easier.
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Section 2 of 3:

Stretching Nylon, Vegan, & Plastic Materials

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  1. If your shoes are new and you can fit them on your feet, throw on a thick pair of comfy socks. [5] Put your shoes on and tie the laces or strap them. Wear them around your home for 15-30 minutes at a time to begin breaking them in. Once your shoes get used to the shape of your feet, they’ll stretch out to comfortably fit your feet.
    • Draper clarifies that plastic-based shoes can only stretch half a size, so take that into account before stretching synthetic plastic shoes. [6]
    • Avoid trying this technique on faux leather, which is a tougher material.
    • Warning: If your shoes start to hurt your feet, take them off. It’s not worth damaging your toes or feet just to stretch your shoes out!
    EXPERT TIP

    Moe Draper

    Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
    Moe Draper is a Shoe Care and Repair Specialist based in Detroit, Michigan. Moe is the Owner of Detroit Shoe Shine and Shoe Repair. With over 20 years of experience as a cobbler, Moe specializes in shoe shining, cosmetic restorations for quality leather goods, and minor/major shoe repair services. Moe and his staff at Detroit Shoe Shine and Repair have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge. In addition to his brick and mortar business, Moe has a mobile shoe repair business where he travels to perform shoe shines for clients. Moe frequently gives back to his community by offering his services to law enforcement officers and other valued patrons. Moe and his business were featured for their work in the community in the Detroit Free Press.
    Moe Draper
    Shoe Care & Repair Specialist

    Plastic shoes can't be stretched too much. Shoes made of plastic materials aren't super stretchable because they are plastic. If you stretch them too much, you risk tearing holes in the shoes.

  2. Put on your shoes, plug in a hair dryer, and turn it to the highest setting. Hold the hair dryer 6–12 in (15–30 cm) away from the fabric of your shoe and turn it on. Move the dryer around your shoe, concentrating on particularly tight areas. Do this for 10-30 minutes at a time to help soften the plastic and stretch your shoes. [7]
    • This can work on faux leather as well.
    • Focus on the tips of your shoes where the toes rest, since this area is the easiest to stretch with heat.
    • If your feet start to get too hot, stop. There are other solutions that you can try!
  3. Draper advises getting a set of shoe stretchers that are slightly larger than your shoes. [8] Untie the shoe laces and pull the tongues up. Insert the stretchers and tie laces as tight as you can to stretch your footwear out while you aren’t wearing the shoes.
    • You may need to apply some force to get the shoe stretchers in at first, but this should get easier over time as you leave the shoe stretchers in.
    • Leave your shoe stretchers in your shoes whenever you aren’t wearing them to continue stretching them over time.
  4. Dampen a few sheets of newspaper, crumple it up, and shove it into each of your shoes. Then, place your shoes inside of the bag and close the zipper ¾ of the way. Force the excess air out of the bag and seal it. Leave your shoes in the freezer overnight to soften them up and stretch them out. [9]
    • Water expands when it freezes. As your shoes freeze, the moisture inside them expands, causing the fabric to expand with it.
    • This method isn’t great for faux leather, which tends to crack and crease when it gets wet and cold.
    EXPERT TIP

    Carroll Kelly

    Shoe Care Specialist
    Carroll Kelly is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Owner of Austin Shoe Hospital in Austin, Texas. With over 37 years of experience, Carroll specializes in sustainable shoes, boots, belts, handbags, and luggage repair. Carroll graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. Austin Shoe Hospital is a family-run business that started over 105 years ago from a single horse-drawn carriage. Today they are the largest and most recognized shoe repair company in the world.
    Carroll Kelly
    Shoe Care Specialist

    When in doubt, go to a shoe repair shop! If you're having trouble stretching your shoes, head to a shoe repair shop to have it professionally done. These stores may be harder to find, but the expertise is worth it.

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Section 3 of 3:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    Will synthetic leather stretch? While it may be difficult, synthetic leather can stretch. Draper explains that faux leather has “a little more elasticity to be able to be stretched, but again, you should be careful in stretching” the material too much. [10] Stretching synthetic or fake leather too much can cause it to tear and crack.
  2. 2
    How stretchy is faux leather? Faux leather is less stretchy than real leather. Real leather doesn’t have much give, and fake leather isn’t much different. While the synthetic material is stretchier than the real stuff, the plastic in it and the chemical treatment it takes to form it prevents it from being super malleable. [11]
  3. 3
    Should you size up in faux leather? Sizing up in faux leather garments and shoes may make the fit more comfortable. While it’s not necessary, sizing up when purchasing fake leather items may be a good idea if you’re not looking for a super tight fit. Faux leather has limited stretch and breathability, which can make garments and shoes smaller than their true size. [12]
  4. 4
    How much do synthetic shoes stretch? “[Stretching synthetic shoes] may cause the shoe size to increase by up to half a size,” says Draper.[v161760_b01]. 5 April 2021 While most synthetic shoes don’t have much give, if stretched properly and gradually, they can become slightly roomier.
  5. 5
    How do you find the material of your shoes? Inspect the shoe and tags to identify the material. Loosen the laces and pull the tongue up. If there is a label under the tongue, it may list the materials used to make your shoe. If there is no tag or it doesn’t list the materials, look your brand up online to search for the material used to make it.
    • Nylon, PVC, acrylic, polyurethane, and microfiber are all types of plastic that can be stretched using heat, cold, or shoe stretchers.
    • Plastic-based materials are some of the most popular materials for shoe manufacturers. Even textile and leather shoes typically contain some plastic.
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Join the Discussion...

How do you stretch shoes without damaging them?
WikiLynxWatcher304
WikiLynxWatcher304
My wife bought me these shoes when she was on vacation and she really likes the way they look on me. The problem is that they’re like half a size too small. I can’t actually tell if it’s a length or a width thing, to be honest. In any case, I can’t go back to where she bought them in Costa Rica to exchange them for a better fit, so I’ve resorted to trying to stretch them out. Any tips here? I think the shoes are leather, but they could be some kind of synthetic material, I’m not sure.
Carroll Kelly
Shoe Care Specialist
Shoe repair shops have a specially formulated shoe stretch solution that's safe for leather and doesn't discolor it. While the solution is wet, they put a wood shoe stretcher in the shoe and turn it and then crank it up till you know stretch it to the correct width. As that solution dries, the leather will stay in the new stretched position.
Moe Draper
Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
To stretch out leather shoes that are too tight, purchase your own wooden shoe stretcher and hand-crank them to the appropriate tension to stretch them. In order to get a good stretch, stretch them for at least three days, and you should wear them for the remainder of the day to ensure that the stretch lasts. To further maintain the stretch, use a cedar shoe tree to hold the stretch when you are not wearing your shoes.

If this is too difficult, you can always google your local shoe repair or shoe cobbler and take them in to have them professionally stretched.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://beauty.onehowto.com/article/how-to-stretch-leather-and-synthetic-shoes-2515.html
      2. ↑ Moe Draper. Shoe Care & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ http://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-leather-care-protectors-cleaners-conditioners.html
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/dUZu19C3tUU?t=36
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/LaI4yh6KPnA?t=378
      6. ↑ Moe Draper. Shoe Care & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/how-to-stretch-shoes-that-are-too-small
      8. ↑ Moe Draper. Shoe Care & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://beauty.onehowto.com/article/how-to-stretch-leather-and-synthetic-shoes-2515.html
      1. ↑ Moe Draper. Shoe Care & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://www.leathercult.com/blog/what-is-faux-leather/
      3. ↑ https://www.leathercult.com/blog/what-is-faux-leather/

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