It was a gorgeous summer day, and I couldn’t wait to show off my new leather heels. Walking around town, I noticed an uncomfortable tightness in my feet. The tightness increased with each step – eventually, I had to halt and remove my shoes.
Heels made from various leather types are a classic fashion choice; from simple pumps to sky-high stilettos, leather shoes are ideal for expressing yourself and your style. However, tight leather heels are uncomfortable, causing more than just aching feet and painful blisters.
Thus, knowing how to stretch leather heels would help break in your new shoes and make tight footwear fit better. I’ll walk you through every step from start to finish ensuring your leather heels fit perfectly. So let’s get this party started!
4 Simple Ways of Stretching Leather Heels
As stated earlier, leather heels are unique fashion pieces; pairing a classy cone heel with leather pants would give a classy appearance. But, you must ensure that your leather footwear fits snugly to avoid discomfort. If your leather shoe fits tight, you can loosen it up and get it stretched without damaging it.
Stretching leather heels can be challenging, especially if you need help knowing where to begin. So, here’s how to stretch shoes overnight without damaging them.
Method 1: Use Heat
Using heat to stretch leather items is quite adequate, as it helps loosen the material’s fibers and makes it easier to fit better. If you are wondering how to stretch shoes wider at home, use this method.
- First, put on several socks and wear the tight-fitting leather heel.
- Then, hold a hair dryer on the lowest setting 3 to 4 inches away from the heel of the shoe.
- Move the hair dryer in a circular motion up and down the length of the heel.
- As the hair dryer begins to heat up, move it around the heel of the shoe.
- Remove the shoe, gently stretch the heated area with your hands, and allow it to cool completely.
- If need be, you should get this process repeated to achieve the desired result.
Method 2: Stretching with Ice
Another effective technique for fixing tight leather heels is using ice. This method has been effective for stretching leather sandals and works exceptionally well for fake and suede leather heels.
- Fill two resealable plastic bags or sandwich bags halfway with water.
- Then, stuff these bags inside the footwear; ensure the water bags are evenly distributed inside the toes of the leather heels.
- Put the shoe in a bigger bag and place it in the freezer overnight.
- In the morning, take the leather heels out of the freezer and let them get thawed for a few minutes.
- Dry the shoe with a soft, dry cloth.
- Put on the heels, and walk around for a few minutes to see how they fit.
- Repeat the process as necessary until the desired fit is achieved.
Method 3: Get a Shoe Stretcher
Using a shoe stretcher is a way out if you want to stretch out heels fast. I have found shoe stretchers to be an outstanding investment, as they help stretch the lengths and widths of my leather boots, flats, and heels.
This stretching tool comes in various sizes and designs, but you can find specialized options that work perfectly for your heels. For a better result, you should also get a shoe stretch spray and follow the steps below:
- Begin by removing the shoe laces and any ot