stretching boots?

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iwannadie · Tue Aug 09, 2005 10:55 pm

i got a pair of boots ages ago but i cant wear them because they are too tight. they are the right size and fit fine except on the top of my foot the boots are way tight. like where the first lace eye is seems to be the most narrow spot. whats the best way to stretch them other than wearing them alot. ive worked in them many nights and worn them around wet hoping that would help. but i just put them on now and they are tight as ever.

do they sell something to put in and stretch just that top part somehow, or should i wedge something in there and let them sit over night? or something to treat the leather with to let it stretch?

Mintbread · #2 Unread post by **Mintbread** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 2:23 am

Place the boots in the sink/bath and run hot water straight out of the faucet into them for a few minutes each. While they are still hot shove a hand into the boot and work the leather till they cool down. Repeat several times until desired effect is achieved.
I spent a few years in the Australian Army, and used this trick on many pairs of boots.

iwannadie · #3 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 2:49 am

Mintbread wrote:Place the boots in the sink/bath and run hot water straight out of the faucet into them for a few minutes each. While they are still hot shove a hand into the boot and work the leather till they cool down. Repeat several times until desired effect is achieved.
I spent a few years in the Australian Army, and used this trick on many pairs of boots.

man that sounds like a pain though. the spot on the boot im having problems with is Very thick leather, its right where the tongue attaches to the boot between the laces. i soaked them in water for a bit them wedged something in that spot and am letting them dry like that, it seems to be helping so far. ill try your method next

#4 Unread post by **cb360** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:04 am

You have an old-fashioned shoe repair shop around there? Those dudes can stretch them any way you want - they got special tools for it. Also, a boot shop would probably have a stretcher in there. Also, this might sound stupid, but can you get a claw hammer in there? like a trim hammer, not a framing hammer with the waffle-face that might mess up the bottoms. I use to stick a hammer down inside my old Red Wing boots to stretch them. Sounds funny bit it worked. The claw makes a perfect lever for pushing up on the top of the boot.

Edited

I forgot to say do it slow - like tie it up and let it sit for hours. That'll do more good than brute force. Sounds like you're on the right track already.

iwannadie · #5 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 3:14 pm

well i soaked them and let them sit all day(in front of a fan) with a 10pound round weight wedge in where i want to stretch them. it lookd like it was Really stretching how i wanted it, but i just put them on and it feels like no thing has changed.

#6 Unread post by **cb360** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:12 pm

I can see the rationale behind soaking them but I bet they draw up again as they dry - maybe try stretching them dry?

I hate boots that don't fit. I bought some boots mail-order recently and they were at the door when I got off the plane and got home. Couldn't even think about getting my feet in them so I put them aside to mail back the next day. I woke up the next morning and saw them and couldn't believe I had the size that wrong so I tried them again just for the hell of it... and they fit perfectly. I'd heard your extremities swell when you fly but I had no idea it was that bad.

Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:50 pm

Saddle soap or mink oil will make the leather softer and easier to work with.

iwannadie · #8 Unread post by **iwannadie** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:02 pm

cb360 wrote:I can see the rationale behind soaking them but I bet they draw up again as they dry - maybe try stretching them dry?

I hate boots that don't fit. I bought some boots mail-order recently and they were at the door when I got off the plane and got home. Couldn't even think about getting my feet in them so I put them aside to mail back the next day. I woke up the next morning and saw them and couldn't believe I had the size that wrong so I tried them again just for the hell of it... and they fit perfectly. I'd heard your extremities swell when you fly but I had no idea it was that bad.

yea i thought the leather was easier to stretch while wet(i Really wedge the weight in while its at its most stretchable point). then i figure when it dries it shrinks which Should stretch more against the weight still wedged in them. so far while they are wet they fit fine, soon as the dry its like they are brand new again. they are really nice boots too i hope i can get them to fit. they are caterpillar, seem like really great quality... obviously the leather wont stretch lol

BuzZz · #9 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 8:00 pm

Cat boots, you say..... I don't know how they would work for riding, but I had 2 different pairs as work boots, and the both sucked for toughness. 2 months use killed both pairs. I won't ever waste my money on them again..... I replaced them with a cheap pair of Dakota's and they are over a year old now(but are about done now).

iwannadie · Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:58 am

BuzZz wrote:Cat boots, you say..... I don't know how they would work for riding, but I had 2 different pairs as work boots, and the both sucked for toughness. 2 months use killed both pairs. I won't ever waste my money on them again..... I replaced them with a cheap pair of Dakota's and they are over a year old now(but are about done now).

hmm interesting, these are work boots(i wouldnt ride in them). they seem durable to me really nice quality leather. maybe they ship the knock off cats up to canada ; p

i do like redwing but went for these cats last time.