Heating the Shoes Adding heat to new leather shoes can help stretch them. However, this method must be used with caution as direct heat can damage shoes. Do not use on vintage leather, as the heat will likely damage the glues or crack the older leather.
Use the Wet-Leather Trick
The ultimate cost-effective way to stretch leather boots is to soak them in warm water for up to an hour, until they are drenched. Once your boots are wet, wear them until they are dry. This will help them stretch to the shape of your feet.
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.
Shoes may shrink in the washing machine if they are washed on a hot water cycle. When washing your shoes, always follow the care instructions. Generally, shoes should be washed on a cold, gentle cycle to prevent shrinking and damage. After washing, air dry your shoes overnight.
You'll need to soak them in water, then put them in the tumble dryer for around 10 to 15 minutes. The heat will help shrink your shoes down. If you don't have a dryer or you'd prefer to use natural heat, you can always leave your shoes in direct sunlight to dry.
Stretching your shoes with shoe stretchers can take anywhere from one night to 48 hours to complete.
A common question is “How long do you leave a shoe stretcher in?” We recommend leaving the shoe stretcher in your shoe for at least 6 to 8 hours. Anything less will not give sufficient time for the material to set in its new stretched form.
They won't work miracles. Stretching won't increase shoes by a whole size. But they work well for making small adjustments that can make a big difference to how your feet feel. So if your new shoes are way too small, don't mess about with shoe stretchers: just return them & get your money back.
Shoes will typically stretch all on their own as you wear them. Leather shoes, whether it be men's dress shoes or women's heels, will fit over time. But if they are too tight and uncomfortable to wear in, try some of these easy hacks to stretch your shoes up to half a size or so to accommodate your feet.
In general, stretching your shoes can add a quarter- to a half-size in space, David Mesquita, owner of The Leather Spa, a leather repair boutique in New York City, tells SELF.
How long do I need to stretch my shoes with ice, and do I need to repeat it every time I wear them? Leave the shoes in the freezer for 6-8 hours or overnight. Repeat as needed for a perfect fit.
Heating the Shoes
Adding heat to new leather shoes can help stretch them. However, this method must be used with caution as direct heat can damage shoes. Do not use on vintage leather, as the heat will likely damage the glues or crack the older leather.
All you need is a thick pair of sports socks, the shoes, and a hair dryer. Use the hair dryer to blow warm air into the shoes first, then stuff your feet in the shoe. Blow more hot air onto the shoes, then walk around until the shoes are cold. After they cool down, the shoes will be broken in to in no time!
Try the sock and blow dryer method
An age-old hack to breaking in a stubborn pair of shoes is to use a little heat. Put on a thick pair of socks (or two) and put the shoes you're trying to break in on. Then, hit them with a little heat from your blow dryer.
The hot water helps to make the shoes flexible, and once they cool, they will set and form to the shape of your foot, making them comfortable.
Even if your leather shoes get wet, you should still keep them away from artificial heat for an extended period of time. Because heat can do severe damage to the appearance as well as the construction of your shoes, it is essential to ensure that they are dried off properly in an area that has adequate ventilation.