Stretching leather boots

[Kevin G]

About 30 years ago, I picked up a pair of RedWing 909 lineman boots at a local shoe store on clearance. I could see they were good quality, the discounted price was very attractive and they were a bit snug but fit.
The soles are smooth made of nitrile-cork, not great for winter wear in Maine.
Over the years, I’ve probably worn them a dozen times, telling myself I would break them in someday. I have made a point of conditioning them every couple years before putting them in the back of the closet again.
For some reason earlier today, I took them out and wore them around the house for a few hours and found them very snug.
Anyone out there have a tried and true method of stretching leather boots a bit?
Thanks, Kevin G


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[pantannojack]

Since my hip replacement, and stiffness bending over to tie laces, I was able to score three pair of Lacrosse Wellington pull on leather boots at 60$ per pair. Altho correct size once on, the leather was very stiff like card board. I doused the first with Redwing Boot Oil, helped some, then the stich came apart. Second pair I sprayed with some Scout Boot Care : Boot Stretch. Says it: Helps Stretch and Relieve Tight Boots. It helped some, then this pair slowly came apart like a Jonny Cash song. Third pair I have rubbed some Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP leather preservative. Probably the best stuff but when I tooth brushed the waxy stuff into the sole weld, the sewing became loose and failed. the whole story has lasted about 6 years over the three pairs and I still can wear the last one. I wore Redwing 899 combat style boots over three decades til they quit making them. Nowdays I don't know where to go. I don't know they know how to make boots in China.

 

[Onomea]

I've had shoe repair guys stretch shoes. Worked pretty well. I would think they could do boots as well.

By the way, one's foot size changes over time. I was 11 1/2 when I graduated high school in 1970, and when I developed a foot problem in the early 1990s, my podiatrist asked my shoe size. I told him 11 1/2. He measured and said, "Nope. You are a size 13 now." A couple of years ago I moved to 13 1/2 or 14, depending on the shoe.

 

[AugieTN]

It's been a while since I needed to stretch boots. Last time I had to do it I used saddle soap on the leather a shoe stretcher on the inside and it worked

Saddle soap and shoe stretcher are available on Amazon

 

[Bekeart]

Two methods I have Heard

#1 Put boots on - Wade in creek - Boots SOAKED - Keep Walking until DRY.

#2 Fill Foot Area with dry rice - Add some small amount of water.
Sounds Messy to me. I think Wet rice would be a sticky mess.

Have heard both methods and they were sworn to work.
No alcohol was involved in telling of the methods.

Bekeart

 

[steelslaver]

A lot depends on how the leather was tanned and treated. A vegetable tanned leather boot (or holster) will stretch if soaked in water or alcohol and kept stretched till dry

 

[StillStanding]

Here’s a way to stretch boots that sounds crazy but works. Since water expands when frozen, put a plastic bag in the boot, fill it with water, then put it in the freezer. As the water turns to ice and expands,so will the boots. Leave them in the freezer a few days and check them out.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In 1974 I bought a very good pair of Florsheim Imperials (ankle boots). After 10 or 15 years I wore through the soles, and had the resoled. The "Cobbler" did them but they were very tight afterwards. In another 10 years I had them resoled, and told the new cobbler to make them more lose! He said it didn't work that way. I said the last guy made them tighter, he probably stitched on a wrong side of the line!

When I got them back, they were at least as large as when new, maybe a letter width wider! Here it is 2025 and they still fit! Quality will last a lifetime if I don't get too fat.

Find a shoe repair guy that speaks English and explain what you want. What have you got to lose?

As to foot size changing: Women have a hormone that loosens Cartlidge, bones and joints, as they get close to childbirth. My wife went to a longer and wider shoe size (men's 10 1/2 D) after having 4 huge babies! Men's feet usually spread a little because of poor supporting tennis shoes, or going barefoot a great deal. If your foot grew; try losing some pounds before throwing expensive shoes away!

Ivan

 

[taz666]

To break them in you've got to wear them. Loosen up the laces and wear them around the house as often as you can and keep them coated with leather conditioner. Red Wing make great boots and they'll last a good while for you.

 

[AJ]

#1 Put boots on - Wade in creek - Boots SOAKED - Keep Walking until DRY.
Bekeart

May sound crude, but it works. Have done that with the old black leather combat boots.

AJ

 

[H Richard]

Our local shoe repair/Western boot company will both stretch or shrink (within limits) shoes and boots, and will also steam and block hats.


They will also stitch leather, a couple of pocket holsters I cut out of a hide I have.

 

[BKLooney]

A good friend of mine taught me this years ago, I initially thought he was just joking me!

Fill a bathtub with enough hot water to go to about the ankles on the boots & stand in it for about 15 minutes. Wear them the rest of the day and at least the next day. You will pretty much be amazed.

Not much fun to do but worth every minute!

I've done this with 4 or 5 pairs of boots over the years and they all fit as if they were handmade for my feet.

 

[Autonomous]

Wet the leather, especially in the tight places, apply tension and time. A plastic bag over heavy or doubled socks will keep them from sucking the moisture out of the boot.
You can buy consumer grade shoe stretchers pretty cheaply.

 

[Ματθιας]

I've used the neatsfoot oil and a black plastic bag left out in the Sun.

As someone posted above, my feet have grown over time. With as much time as I spend on my feet, I've gone up a shoe size - they got wider.

 

[rockquarry]

Years ago I purchased some Red Wing boots. After wearing them a while, I decided they were a little tight. I took them back to the store; they had a machine or some gizmo that they stretched them with though I didn't watch the process.

 

[Marshwheeling]

There is a commercial product called Shoe Stretch that comes in a 2 or 3 oz. red plasic bottle, that sells for something like $4.99. Soak yje leather, wear the shoes for a while or use a shoe stretcher. When it is empty, you can refill it from a bottle of rubbing alcohol, 8 oz for $1.95. Same stuff. i have used it with some success on street shoes, but not yet on heavier boots.

 

[SMSgt]

Size ten feet will never fit comfortably in size nine boots. Buy the correct size.

 

[chief38]

I have tried stretching several times with less than good results. I even let a professional shoemaker have a crack at several pair, but I just gave up after unsatisfactory results and bought the proper size. I hope you have better luck.

 

[crows]

May sound crude, but it works. Have done that with the old black leather combat boots.

AJ

Yep, it works. I've had people knowledgeable in leather work roll their eyes and insist I was doing great damage to them, but I have gotten years out of boots stretched in that manner.

 

[Farmer17]

I usually wear thick socks when trying on shoes and boots and if somehow they feel a tiny bit tight later I just wear thinner socks. I don't ever see myself standing in a stream or bathtub then walking all day till my boots dry out.