If you have new leather sandals that you’d like to wear, you might want to know how to stretch leather sandals.
The best way to stretch leather sandals is to condition them, wear them regularly, use a sandal stretcher or a stretching spray, stuff newspaper into them, and use heat to stretch them.
Stretching leather sandals is part of the “breaking-in” process of leather sandals since new sandals are typically snug on your feet. See more helpful hints in our comprehensive guide to breaking in leather sandals.
How to Stretch Leather Sandals for Better Fit?
Leather sandals are pervasive and a great accessory that effortlessly matches a wide range of fashion pieces.
We’ve tried the following techniques, and when done properly, they work.
1. Conditioning Leather Sandals
Sandals made of leather that have been condition will be more supple and soft, making it easier for them to conform to the shape of your feet. Its durability can also be improved, and its color and appearance can be restored by applying a conditioning layer.
The conditioner’s natural oils soothe the leather fibers and replenish them with all the essential oils. This provides a layer of protection while also making your leather sandals feel more flexible.
How To Do:
It’s simple to use leather conditioner. Simply dab some high-quality leather conditioner onto a soft, lint-free cloth, and gently rub it into the leather footbed and straps.
Don’t forget to focus on the spot where the soles and straps meet. Buff out any extra conditioner for a glossy finish after the conditioner has dried. To increase the effect, simply wear your leather sandals frequently or choose from the methods below.
2. Wearing Your Leather Sandals
Wearing slide sandals is another effective strategy you can try if you’re wondering how to stretch them. Sandals made of leather will progressively loosen up as they naturally absorb heat and moisture from your feet.
You could relax on your couch while flexing your feet in the sandals and thick socks. To break in the tight sandals and stretch them out even more, be sure to move around in them. After you condition leather sandals, this stretching technique performs better.
How To Do:
You can start out by taking a brief stroll or running errands while wearing your leather sandals. The leather sandals can be stretched out by wearing them for a short while without making your feet develop blisters.
It is best to remove the leather sandals when your feet start to hurt, then go through the process again the following day. It might take a few days, but you’ll soon notice that they start to feel more at ease.
Remember to use a leather conditioner beforehand to soften the fibers if you believe your leather sandals are too tight and aren’t stretching enough.
Also Read: How Should Sandals Fit?
3. Stuffing Newspaper into Leather Sandals
Newspapers are ideal for this because they are simple to crease and fold into any shape you want. They are readily available and common household items. So far in this guide, this technique for stretching leather sandals is the most cost-effective one.
Leather sandals’ uppers can be stretched out and relaxed by stuffing them with newspaper.
How To Do:
Begin by balling up some newspaper and lightly misting or blotting them with water using a paper towel. They should be shaped to stretch and push out the desired areas when they are inside the leather sandal.
The newspaper should be kept in the leather sandals for a few hours. We advise leaving them alone for the night. Keep in mind that too much water can harm leather, so make sure the newspaper is only damp to the touch.
You Might Also Like:
4. Using a Sandal Stretcher
Leather sandals can easily be stretched out using a shoe or sandal stretcher.
How To Do:
The leather sandal upper and straps can be stretched out using the two-way stretching feature. Place the stretcher inside the leather sandal and tighten the straps by turning the widening handle counterclockwise.
You can turn the lengthening wheel counterclockwise until it is snug against your leather sandals to adjust the height and stretch the sandal’s upper. For best results, leave the sandals with the shoe stretcher inside for 6 to 8 hours.
Additionally, the beech tree wood used to make this sandal stretcher can absorb extra moisture from your sandals and prevent mold growth.
5. Using a Stretching Spray
Stretching sprays work to loosen and relax the fibers of leather in a similar way to leather conditioners. Stretching spray softens leather without affecting its texture, in contrast to normal moisture, which stretches leather. So using this technique to stretch leather pants is a great idea as well.
The best stretching sprays are available in nearby shops and work well on a variety of leather types, including suede and nubuck.
How To Do:
You need to shake a leather stretching spray before using it to liberally spray it on your leather sandals’ more constricted areas. For best results, be sure to apply the treatment to both the inside and the outside of your leather sandals.
Wear the thickest socks possible with your leather sandals after application until the leather dries. Your leather sandals will stretch to quickly conform to the shape of your foot if you wear thick socks underneath them.
You can also choose to store a wooden sandal stretcher inside your sandals the night after application. You can stuff your leather sandals with newspaper and leave them overnight if you don’t have access to a stretcher.
6. Heat Leather Sandals
To stretch specific areas of your leather sandals, you can also use a hairdryer. The leather texture can be harmed by excessive heat, so this method is only advised for spot-stretching (stretching specific areas of your sandals).
How To Do:
Wear thick, protective socks with your leather sandals. Then, apply warm air to the areas you want to stretch while using a medium setting on your hairdryer. If you want to stretch the upper when applying heat, try flexing your feet to create a bulge on the surface.
Wear the sandals as usual and flex your feet until the areas that need to be stretched out have cooled down after heating them all. To prevent the leather from becoming too dry, take care to only heat the sandals for 30 seconds at a time and then condition them.
7. Seek a Professional
Professional cobblers have specialized equipment and know-how for safely stretching leather sandals for men or women and shoes.
Bring your men’s or women’s leather sandals to a shoe store in your area for an evaluation and a price quote.
Read More: Do Nike Blazers Stretch Out?
How Often Should I Stretch Leather Sandals?
Stretch your leather sandals as and when you need to. While we advise purchasing sandals in the proper size right away, both feet and leather sandals can swell and contract.
We advise using one of the simple techniques we listed above to stretch your leather sandals if you find that they are a little too tight and compromising your comfort.
Summary: How to Stretch Leather Sandals for Better Fit
Waiting for your leather sandals to loosen up and get comfier can be quite tasking. But there are many tried-and-true methods you can use to lessen the strain on your feet and find shoes that fit more comfortably. So, in this article, I’ve covered how to stretch leather sandals.
Although the techniques for stretching leather footwear found in this article are sure to deliver the results you desire, you may need to repeat each procedure a few times until you are satisfied.
Although leather has its limitations, it is best to keep this in mind. You should think about purchasing new footwear if the existing pair still does not fit after several stretching attempts.
Read More: How to Clean Sandals?
FAQs
How to Stretch Sandals That Are Not Leather?
A potato should be peeled and shaped into the front of your shoe’s toe box. The potato should be dried with a paper towel before being placed inside your shoe for the night. A slight stretch might be possible with this technique.
How Can I Stretch Leather Fast?
If your leather shoes are just a bit too snug, wearing a pair of thick socks or even two can help stretch out leather without damaging it.
How Long Does It Take to Stretch Leather Sandals?
Wear the sandals around for at least 30 minutes as they dry and adjust to the shape of your feet.
