For working men and women, having a comfortable pair of work boots is a life-saver. However, no matter how good your new pair is, wearing them might be uncomfortable at first. Because of that, it’s important to know how to stretch work boots.
If your pricey, high-quality work boots seem uncomfortable – don’t worry. It’s completely normal and there’s no reason for you to regret your purchase. Luckily, there are a number of ways for you to stretch your new boots at home, so you’ll start enjoying all their amazing features pretty soon.
Although it might seem like no big deal at first, make sure you don’t force yourself to wear your boots if they’re uncomfortable. Comfort is a necessity if you spend your work days on your feet, so make sure you don’t treat it as something minor.
Don’t get us wrong, you should definitely change your boots if they’re not the right size. However, if they’re simply uncomfortable because they need some stretching, we got you covered.
Together, we’ll go over different ways to stretch your boots, as well as how to prepare them for your little DIY project. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.
Why should you stretch your work boots?
Before answering your question about how to stretch work boots, let’s see why you should do it in the first place. Well, the most logical reason is that you should never experience discomfort while working in your boots, as it can quickly become a living hell.
However, foot aches, scrapping of the nails, and blisters on your toes are just some of the minor issues that uncomfortable boots can cause. Some of the bigger problems you could deal with include bunions, crossover toes, hammertoes, and more.
Unfortunately, your boots won’t stretch as much by simply being on your feet. Because of that, it’s important to learn about different methods how to stretch work boots that can make your life a lot easier, and your job more enjoyable.
How to stretch work boots – 6 easy ways
Although your work boots might stretch a little with use, it’s still good to do it yourself. Not only will it speed up the process, but it will also help you get the best out of them, as simply wearing them usually doesn’t do much.
If you’d like to save some time, and nerves, and avoid painful blisters – we’re here to help you. We’ve prepared 7 easiest ways how to stretch work boots, so foot aches can become a thing of the past.
1. Use a broomstick
Because stretching your boots can be pretty uncomfortable and painful if you wait for them to simply adapt to your feet, people have come up with a brilliant idea – doing it with a broomstick instead.
If your boots are made of leather, the first step should always be applying some leather conditioner. Although this step is optional, it will soften the leather and make the whole process a lot easier for you.
The next thing you should do is insert the end of a broomstick into the boot. Start slowly pressing down on your boot to loosen the leather and stretch it. Don’t worry, this is pretty safe, so push the broomstick hard enough to see the end of the stick poking through the material all around the boot.
Make sure to hold the broom in each position for around 20 seconds. Pay the most attention to the areas of the boot that feel the most uncomfortable on your feet!
After that, bend the sole a little to stretch the boot and break it in even more. Repeat it 2 to 3 times, and try them on. They should feel a lot more comfortable already, but if there’s still some discomfort, you can repeat the process until they fit your feet perfectly.
2. Widen the boot with oil
Using oil is another great way how to stretch work boots, and it’s pretty straightforward. You should simply apply a generous amount of oil or leather conditioner to the outside of your boots. Make sure you do it at night so that your boots become soft enough for you to wear them in the morning.
Before you head to work, make sure you clean the excess oil from your pair. If your boots still feel a bit tight the next day, you can repeat the process until they’re completely stretched out and feel good on your feet.
This method can be applied to any type of leather, including full-grain, split, or corrected grain. And the best thing about it is that it’s completely safe!
3. Freeze your boots
Another cool way to stretch your work boots is by freezing them. I know, it probably seems counter-productive, but trust us with this one. It’s a pretty quick way to achieve ultimate results.
The first thing you should do is fill 2 plastic bags with water and make sure you seal them properly. The bags should be filled up enough to fill in the boot, including the toe part. The best option would be to use freezer-safe bags, as they’re less likely to leak.
Push your quart-sized bags into the boots so that they’re completely filling them in. Be gentle in order not to poke through the bag, and gently push it in. If you’re not sure if the bags are all the way in, tap the toes against a hard surface so that the bags go all the way down.
Next, place your boots in the freezer overnight. Make sure that the heels are propped up. You can do that by placing a book or any other hard item under each of the heels. Leave them in the freezer for about 8 hours.
After that, simply take the bots out of the freezer, thaw them for 20 minutes, and remove the bags. If they’re not stretched out enough, you can safely repeat the process until they feel better.
4. Hairdryer can help you soften the leather
Another great way to stretch your boots is by using a hairdryer. It’s simple, effective, and relatively quick, yet it makes a lot of difference. However, you should approach it with a bit more caution than was the case with other methods we’ve covered.
First, find a pair of thick socks and put them on before you start with the stretching process. Put your shoes on, and apply the heat from your hairdryer to the outside or your work boots.
This is a great way to make the leather on your boots softer. However, make sure your socks are thick enough to protect your feet from the heat. After heating the leather, keep wearing your boots until they completely cool down.
To avoid your leather drying out and looking frayed, make sure you apply a generous amount of leather conditioner. If you don’t have a hairdryer – don’t worry. Hot water can do the trick, just make sure that your work boots are water-resistant.
5. Using a stretching spray
A great and innovative solution to this issue is using a stretching spray. Although this one is pretty logical and not exactly a DIY project, it gets the job done. The spray helps you lose the leather on your boots and widen the area that’s causing you pain and discomfort.
Although this method might be a bit pricier than the ones we’ve mentioned before, it’s probably one of the easiest ways to stretch your boots.
Simply spray your shoes twice on each side until they’re covered evenly. Leave them for about 30 minutes before wearing them to work. If necessary, you can repeat the process until you get the desired effect.
6. Using a steel boot stretcher
When thinking about how to stretch work boots, using a steel boot stretcher is always the safest option. If you’re willing to invest a bit, this handy tool will get the job done in no time.
Start off by spraying your boots with a stretching spray, as it will aid in the process. Make sure you spray both the inside and the outside of your pair, including the insoles.
Next, insert the stretcher inside your boots, stretch it to the maximum limit, and let it stay in that position for a couple of hours. When you’re ready, try on your stretched boots and see how they fit. If they still feel a bit uncomfortable, repeat the process until they fit you perfectly.
Read more: How To Tie Work Boots: 6 Easy Methods That You’ll Love
