Finding a pair of sneakers is easy for the average person, but the situation is completely different for people with wide feet. If you also have wide feet, I really know how it feels when you get your favorite sneakers and find out they are tight.
However, before the situation goes too far, let me tell you that you can easily stretch your sneakers. Moreover, you can do it at home. Wondering how to stretch sneakers for wide feet?
Well, there are many techniques that you can follow to stretch your sneakers, including
- Wearing your sneakers at home
- Stretching your sneakers through the ice bag
- Make use of the hairdryer.
- You can utilize shoe stretchers.
- Stretching by using alcohol
- Use rice, oats, grains, or a potato
These are some of the ways that you can apply to stretch your sneakers to get rid of tight-fitting issues. However, if you want to know about all techniques in detail, follow this article for guidance.
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Do Stretching Sneakers Actually Work?
Before I go deep into the sneaker stretching process, let’s clear up any confusion about whether the stretching method is worth it. Fortunately, the answer is YES, and stretching your sneakers actually works.
And if you have wide feet and don’t want to encounter pain or blister issues with your favorite sneakers, then stretching them is a must. You will be happy to know that most sneakers are made of material that can be easily stretched.
So, if you get a pair of sneakers and end up finding them quite tight, just follow the stretching method. The most interesting fact is that you can easily stretch sneakers or any type of shoe at home.
How To Stretch Sneakers For Wide Feet
Here is the essential part: how to stretch sneakers for wide feet. There are a lot of techniques available that you can follow, but not all of them are effective. Here are some of the most effective ways to stretch your sneakers at home.
1. Wear Your Sneakers At Home
The most basic and old-fashioned but effective method that you can follow to stretch your sneakers is to wear them at home. This process may take a couple of days, but it’s quite effective.
Put on thick socks and walk home in your new sneakers. Try doing this in the evening and walk until your feet start to hurt. Doing it for 5 to 7 days will give you your actual result.
2. Stretch Your Sneakers Through An Ice Bag
Taking help from an ice bag is another effective method that you can follow to stretch your new sneakers. Here are the steps you need to follow to do so:
- Step 1: First, take two freezable plastic bags and fill one-third of them with water.
- Step 2: Seal the bags and put them inside the sneakers, ensuring they fit properly.
- Step 3: Now place the sneakers in the freeze for 8 to 10 hours.
When you put them in the freezer, the cold water and atmosphere will perfectly stretch the sneakers. After a certain time, remove them from the freezer, remove the ice bags, and try them.
3. Use A Hair Dryer
When you don’t want to try the ice bag process, then using a hair dryer can be another great option. Here is how you can use a hair dryer to stretch your sneakers:
- Step 1: Wear your new sneakers with thick socks and fasten them comfortably.
- Step 2: Then plug in the hair dryer and turn it on.
- Step 3: Now apply the blowing air to the areas that you feel tight.
When using air blowers, use only medium heat and do not blow air for more than 20–30 seconds on a surface. Now walk around and see the results. If you’re not satisfied with the output, follow the same procedure again.
4. You Can Use A Shoe Stretcher
If you don’t want to apply any of the methods mentioned above and are looking for something professional, this section is for you. Here, you have to use a shoe stretcher that comes with a stretcher tool and liquid or spray. Alternatively, stretching liquid can be obtained from anywhere.
Once you’ve obtained the liquid and the professional stretcher tool, proceed as follows:
- Step 1: At the beginning, spray the inside area with the stretching liquid spray.
- Step 2: Then put the stretcher tool inside the sneakers and twist it a couple of times.
- Step 3: Now leave the tool inside the sneakers for 24 hours.
After a certain time, detach the stretcher and check the fitting. If you’re not satisfied with the result, repeat the whole process again.
5. Use Alcohol Spray
Using an alcohol-mixing spray can be another excellent way to stretch your new sneakers. And to perform this stretching method, you have to put 50% water and 50% alcohol in a spray bottle and mix them together.
Once you’ve mixed the alcohol spray, it’s time to apply the mixture to your sneakers. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Step 1: At first, start spraying the mixture inside your new sneakers.
- Step 2: Now wear a pair of socks and then put on your new sneakers.
Try wearing the new pair for a few hours; It’ll help to stretch the sneakers effortlessly. However, make sure to never overspray the inside of the shoe, as this can damage the material.
Also Read: Can You Spray Paint Shoes?
6. Use Rice, Oats, Cereal, Or Potatoes
Last but certainly not least, you can take help from food items like rice, cereal, oats, or potatoes. Using all of them may seem a little unusual, but their results will surprise you.
Here I’m going to use the potato for sneaker stretching. Check out the section below to learn the process:
- Step 1: First, get two potatoes, then peel and mold them into your toe box shape
- Step 2: After that, wipe the potatoes with a towel and then put them into your sneakers
- Step 3: Make sure the potatoes perfectly fit inside and then leave them overnight
After the recommended time, take out the potatoes and see how this method turns out. It’s a proven method and can give you a modest amount of stretch in your new sneakers. Using potatoes can also help eliminate any kind of pungent smell from your pair.
Note: These are some of the effective methods that you can follow if you have wide feet and want to stretch your sneakers. Simply apply any of the methods that you feel comfortable with.
Why You Should Stretch Your Sneakers If You Have Wide Feet?
If you get a new pair, and they are too tight, you will most likely replace them. How about when the replacement option is not available? Should you wear them without caring that they can cause blisters, aches, and chafing issues?
Well, probably not, and the stretching method keeps you safe from all types of painful conditions. Just follow the guidelines I’ve provided throughout this article and enjoy the sneakers you bought or received as a gift the way you want them to.
Proper stretching methods can also protect you from irritating bunions, instability, tripping over yourself, and so on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions in your mind regarding stretching sneakers for wide feet? If so, follow this FAQ section. Here I’ve included some of the most commonly asked questions with their answers.
Can You Stretch Shoes A Half Size?
Fortunately, stretching can easily add a quarter to half size to the space of your pair. Moreover, you can also add one full size through stretching. However, different shoe materials offer different stretching levels, and leather and plastic shoes can stretch more easily than other materials.
Are Wide Feet Healthy?
Wide feet are neither healthy nor unhealthy; they are simply a genetically physical condition that can occur for a variety of reasons. Basically, genetic factors usually cause wide feet issues; thus, they are hereditary. Obesity can also cause wide feet issues. And the fact that wearing a proper pair of shoes can help reduce the problem of wide feet.
How To Tell If Your Sneakers Need Stretching?
It’s common to wonder, “How can I tell if my new sneakers are tight and need stretching?” Well, there are many ways to learn about it and some of them are included below:
- You’ll feel super uncomfortable after wearing those sneakers.
- The toe box area is super narrow and also doesn’t have enough height or length.
- Your sneakers’ overall length is short.
These are some of the simple methods that will let you easily determine whether your new pair requires stretching work or not.
Closing Thoughts
It’s time to stop thinking about wide feet as a curse when you can’t wear your favorite sneakers as now you know how to stretch sneakers for wide feet. Throughout this article, I have shown multiple ways that you can follow to get rid of tight footwear issues.
All the included solutions are equally effective and will surely impress you with the result. So, don’t be upset if you just got a new pair of sneakers and find that they are too tight for you.
However, among all the methods, wearing the new pair at home or using a shoe stretcher could be the best solution. Follow whatever you want to follow, and don’t forget to let me know which one you’ve tried and how it turns out.
