Shoes

[Texasmouse]

I have a pair of leather western boots that are too tight in the toe box area and would like to know if anyone has successfully stretched shoes/boots, enough to make a difference in the fit.

I've read of methods using heat, ice, shoe stretchers and even raw potatoes but if none of these are particularly effective (not that I'm going to try them all) I'll just have them stretched professionally at a cobbler.

I don't have a boot stretcher (I do have a shoe stretcher) and I don't really want to buy one. TIA!

[Redshoes07]

I have shoe stretchers that work very well. I've had to stretch several pairs of shoes and boots and they did stretch them enough for me to wear them without hurting. My shoe stretchers are made from wood and I've had them for years, I think I bought them from Amazon.

[PA Mom-mom]

@Texasmouse  I had great Acme "cowboy" boots I used for riding and throughout college. They were very tight to begin with,  but I wore them every day for a few hours until they shaped themselves to my feet. It took MONTHS, but it was worth it. They were the most comfortable boots I ever had. I think that's how it works.

[Texasmouse]

@PA Mom-mom thanks but I guess I don't have the patience (nor the tolerance for pain) to have it take that long. 🤷‍♀️

[PickyPicky3]

I think the toe box is the most difficult area to stretch, so I would definitely take them to a professional.

[kate2357]

For the authentic cowboy boots I have owned, I did have to break them in slowly. These boots were for actual riding and not just wearing as a regular shoe/boot. It was a pain. Literally a pain.

[Desertdi]

I buy boots ½ size larger...because I wear heavy socks with them

[Kachina624]

I've had many pairs of Western-style boots and would question whether their sturdier leather could be adequately stretch enough to make them comfortable.

@Texasmouse. If you just bought them new, I'd return them and look elsewhere.

[cosmic1]

I have some boots that were too tight in the calves and I used a stretcher spray and wore them at home until they fit. However, I don’t know how that would work with the toe box area. You might need a different style; I know I cannot wear the pointy toed style.

[Texasmouse]

---

@Kachina624 wrote:

I've had many pairs of Western-style boots and would question whether their sturdier leather could be adequately stretch enough to make them comfortable.

@Texasmouse. If you just bought them new, I'd return them and look elsewhere.

---

@Kachina624 these are western "style", not actually western boots. They're not lined and are not particularly thick. They used to fit when I bought them, about 17 years ago, but my feet have increased by half a size and have become a tad bit wider. These boots are a 6M. Now, when I buy new shoes, I get a 6.5W, if I can. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll be able to be stretched enough to where, even if they're not perfect, they are not painful to wear.