Steel-toed boots are the ideal option when considering footwear for work that is both comfortable and sturdy. Once you purchase the proper boots, however, you will face the difficulty of ensuring a suitable fit.
Rather than breaking in steel-toed boots by wearing them and incurring severe blisters, you may stretch them out beforehand. Fortunately, in this article, you will find some of the best ways to stretch your footwear.
6 Easy Methods to Stretch Steel Toe, Work Boots
1. Use Hairdryer
The most efficient method is to use a hairdryer. Before putting on the shoe, wear a thick set of socks and begin the stretching procedure. Distribute the hairdryer’s heat just to the exterior of the steel-toed work boots.
The leather of the footwear will become much softer, and the heat will not harm your feet since they will be covered in thick socks.
Continue wearing the shoes until they have totally cooled down, and then apply a good leather conditioner to ensure that the leather does not seem ragged.
If you do not have access to a hair dryer, you may use hot water if the footwear is water-resistant.
2. Use Oil
While some individuals may be able to get by with a narrower pair of steel-toed boots, you may need a slightly wider couple.
Applying the oil you choose on your boots is an excellent method to lengthen them. 2-3 drops should suffice for a substantial change.
To simplify this method, you only require a paintbrush or cotton ball and a few essential oils, like peppermint or lavender, to relieve tension in the ankle and foot regions that cause discomfort in tight boots.
3. Use Stretching Spray
The spray is supposed to assist in leather stretching and shoe width expansion. Start by spraying your new work boots with high-quality, water-based lubrication; also, ensure they are suitable for your skin and have no harsh chemicals or additions.
Then, wear them and, after a while, try to create a fist. You should be capable of doing this without much effort.
The purpose is that your feet will help stretch out the boots, resulting in the steel-toe boots fitting your foot perfectly. Just ensure that they are clean before putting them on.
4. Rubbing With Alcohol
Generally, rubbing alcohol will aid in stretching your boots. Ensure that you are wearing your shoes before applying alcohol. Additionally, avoid wearing boots in the bathroom since specific cleaning solutions contain toxic substances.
The ideal approach to use alcohol is by putting a cotton ball into the liquid and then applying it to the strained or about-to-stretch sections of your boots. Continue this process for about ten minutes or until all the liquid has been extracted from your shoes.
5. Use a Steel Boot Stretcher
Turn the extending wheel till the stretcher fits snugly in the steel toe boot, then repeat with the second stretcher in the opposite boot. Similarly, modify the width.
Turn the extending and expanding wheels on each stretcher three times once the stretchers are tight in the boots. It will aid in ensuring that the boot is stretched correctly.
Retain the stretcher in place for at least twenty-four hours. Even if the boots look the correct size, you should wait a while before removing them. A shoe stretcher applies significant force to your boot, but prematurely detaching the stretcher might cause the leather to return to its previous size.
6. Wear Thick Layers of Socks for a Few Days
The purpose of doing this is that your feet will expand the work boots, resulting in the steel-toe boots fitting your foot perfectly. You may also apply petroleum jelly to make it simpler for your feet to glide into the shoes.
How Can I Make My Steel Toe Boots Fit Better?
Bending, Walking, and standing in them will aid in softening and stretching the material in all appropriate locations. It is undoubtedly the most effective approach for breaking in shoes since it enables the boot to bend and flex in a manner that is comfortable for your body.
How Can I Slightly Enlarge My Boots?
Aim a blow dryer around 6 inches away from your footwear at the most constricted areas of the shoe (usually the toe and heel area).
Maintain each position for approximately 30 seconds. For enhanced stretching, bend, curl, and wriggle your toes throughout this procedure. Wear the shoes until they have cooled so they can adjust to the form of your feet.
Final Thoughts
Any method mentioned above for stretching steel-toed work boots is effective and will alleviate the pain associated with wearing too-tight work boots.
Affordability is always a problem, but other factors will influence whether or not you get excellent footwear. Obtaining a pair of steel-toe boots that can endure for decades is possible if you have the proper knowledge.
