Q&A for How to Stretch New Shoes

I don't think you're going to have much luck, because there's no give to canvas, no elasticity. Leather shoes have some elasticity that allows them to stretch, but canvas doesn't.

New boots can be stretched using the same methods as new leather shoes, only you're working with a greater surface area. You can use commercial boot or shoe stretching sprays/solutions or homemade methods such as freezing, heating, inserting a boot stretcher or using rubbing alcohol; each of these methods is explained in detail here: How to Stretch Leather Boots .

If the shoes are non-shedding glitter shoes (usually the manufacturer will make this obvious as part of their branding), the glitter should stay intact when the shoes are stretched. The problem is for shoes with exposed, raised and non-sealed glitter that sheds easily, even when handling the shoes. Unfortunately, if movement, handling and wearing such shoes causes glitter to fall off, stretching will probably cause some to fall off too. However, you can try to minimize this by spraying the shoes with hair spray or spray adhesive before stretching, to try to keep most of the glitter in place. Expect some glitter to shed but if the glitter is large, gather up the lost flakes and reapply these large flakes with spray sealant––if you're happy to do some finicky repair work.

Patent leather shoes have a lovely shine that makes the shoe look well-fitted but their neat finish can cause you to think they cannot be stretched. Fortunately, you can stretch a patent leather pair of shoes, by applying a little gentle heat, such as using a hair dryer on medium heat to blast the shoes in small bursts of 20 seconds, all done while wearing the shoes. Or, the shoes can be stretched with a shoe stretching kit. Full details on using either of these methods can be found here: How to Break In Patent Leather Shoes .

Yes, shoe stretchers do work. However, they are best used on leather or suede shoes, as man-made materials do not have much give. There are different types of shoe stretchers matched to different needs; for example, a one-way stretcher is used to widen a shoe at the toe-end, while a two-way stretcher can widen a shoe all the way along; a boot stretcher is used for boots and a high heel stretcher is used for high heels.

Tennis shoes can be stretched with either a shoe-stretching spray or water. If using the spray, be certain it is suitable for tennis shoes/canvas material before proceeding; then, apply to the inside of the tennis shoes following the package instructions. Wearing socks, put the sprayed shoes on and wear them until they feel comfortably stretched, then remove and leave to settle into the new shape. If using water, soak the tennis shoes in a bucket or tub of water for 24 hours, then insert suitably sized shoe stretchers and leave until dried; try them on and see if the shoes are more comfortable. Always be careful to note how the stitching is coping with the stretching and avoid over-stretching them or the seams will burst.

Leather shoes can be widened in a variety of ways. One standard method is to stuff them with paper or some other suitable object and leave for a short time to stretch. Other methods to stretch shoes include gently heating or wetting or freezing or steaming them. Each of these methods requires following various steps, which you'll find detailed in: How to Widen Leather Shoes .

The usual methods for stretching suede shoes is to use either a suede-approved stretching spray or to use a shoe stretcher of a size suited to the shoes. For detailed steps on stretching suede shoes, see: How to Stretch Suede Shoes .

Neatsfoot Oil is great if they are leather. It's a type of leather conditioning/treating oil, not a brand name.

You can do this by using the freezer stretching technique in the article above.

No because it will leave a staining residue and your shoes will just contain too much moisture

Leave the newspaper in the shoe overnight. If you feel overnight didn’t do the job, leave it in longer for better results.

Using a shoe tree would be your best option. The pinewood will help stretch the balm of the shoe.

No. It will conform to the shape of the shoe, as opposed to stretching it. It also may leave staining residue.

Take some socks and press them into the shoes against the straps. Keep adding more socks until you can't add anymore. Heat the straps with a hairdryer for 30 seconds and do this again and again until the straps are stretched.

Wear low socks. Going barefoot with converse makes them smell way worse, and can cause a lot of blisters. They should get more comfortable the longer you wear them.

Get a refund! If they are different sizes, return them for a refund! If your daughter has differently sized feet, that's a different challenge.

Stuff newspapers and other stuff in the toe area and leave them in till you wear them. Then you can take them out to wear them, and put it back in when you are done wearing them.

Sometimes wearing the shoe and breaking it in will stretch it a little. If that doesn't work, it would be best to just go up a size.

Freezing fabric shoes will not harm them as long as you keep all moisture from soaking into the shoes. Wrap in a plastic bag to help prevent this from happening.

You can do this by using the freezer stretching technique in the article above.

Just use the ice method. Put the bag at the very top and they'll stretch. This method is great for these situations.