How to Break in Patent Leather Shoes
Does patent leather stretch
How to stretch patent leather shoes – With their characteristic shimmer, patent leather shoes are a stunning and exciting complement to any ensemble. Modern patent leather shoes obtain their gleam from a tiny layer of plastic applied to the leather. Unfortunately, the plastic coating on patent leather shoes makes them stiff and impossible to extend. Reduce the need for breaking in by purchasing shoes that fit properly and following a few simple precautions to safeguard your feet. With mild heat from a hair dryer or a shoe stretching kit, you can stretch your too-tight patent leather shoes a little bit.
Making New Shoes More Comfortable


1. Purchase shoes that are well-fitting. By purchasing patent leather shoes that are already a suitable fit for you, you may reduce the need for stretching or breaking in. Because patent leather is rigid and uncompromising, you won’t be able to modify the fit much – maybe a quarter of a shoe size at most. Get fitted for shoes at the shop and try on a few pairs before purchasing. When trying on patent leather shoes, keep the following in mind:
- Check that your toes are not being squashed or crushed.
- Choose a shoe with a comfortable heel. When you walk, the rear of your shoe should not grind on your heel or slide off.
- Take notice of how the shoe feels around your foot’s ball. Because the ball of your foot is the broadest area of your foot, seek for a shoe that enables it to sit comfortably.
- Try on the shoes with the socks that you would regularly wear with them. Check that they fit comfortably with your regular socks.
- When you’re a bit more fatigued at the end of the day, try on the shoes. That way, you’ll get a better notion of how it’ll feel to be on your feet for an extended period of time while wearing the shoes.


2. Gradually increase the wear duration by 10-minute increments. You may be tempted to wear your new shoes out on the town right away, but this is a formula for sore feet. Purchase your patent leather shoes ahead of time, and spend a few days wearing them for brief amounts of time at home or at work. Begin by wearing them for 10 minutes at a time, then add another 10 minutes to your wear time. Continue doing this for a few days until you’re comfortable wearing (and walking about in) the shoes for an hour.
- The entire break-in period will be determined by a variety of variables, including the kind of material used for the sole and how well the shoes fit to begin with.
- It may take a few days to a few weeks for your shoes to feel comfy. Leather-soled shoes take longer to break in than rubber-soled shoes.
- When you initially put your shoes on, aim to limit your wear duration to no more than 2-3 hours.


3. For a few days, wear your shoes with thick socks for 1-2 hours every day. Thick socks may expand your shoes while also protecting your feet from pinching and blisters while they conform to your foot (and vice versa). Wear your shoes about the home with thick socks for a couple of hours every day. With ordinary socks or stockings on, the shoes should eventually expand and feel more comfortable.


4. To avoid blisters and agony, apply a bandage to the affected regions. While you and your shoes are getting used to each other, you may reduce your pain by placing protective covers on sensitive areas like your heels and any corns or bunions. Check your local pharmacy or shoe shop for goods that will meet your requirements, such as:
- Cushions for blisters
- Pads for bunions
- Bandages with adhesive
- Tape used in surgery


5. Reduce friction by hydrating your feet. Shoes rubbing on your feet generate a lot of shoe-related pain. Apply a little amount of lotion, petroleum jelly, or antiperspirant to your feet before sliding on your shoes to reduce blisters and friction-related discomfort. Concentrate on the areas that are prone to irritation.


6. If your feet begin to pain, take a rest. Allow your feet to recover if they begin to pain or develop blisters before wearing the shoes again. If you need to wear your patent leather shoes for an extended amount of time throughout the break-in phase, carry a comfortable pair of shoes to change into.
It’s also a good idea to carry adhesive bandages and blister cushions on hand in case you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have a spare pair of shoes.


7. Keep your shoes in shape by storing them on a shoe tree. Put your shoes on a shoe tree whenever you are not wearing them. A shoe tree, like a shoe stretcher, is a foot-shaped device. When not in use, the shoe tree will assist keep your shoe’s form, which is especially useful during the break-in phase.
- Shoe trees vary in price and style, but typically range from $10 USD to $35 USD.
- Some shoe trees may also be used as shoe stretchers.
Stretching Your Shoes with a Hair Dryer


1. Put on some heavy socks. Layer on some hefty thermal socks or a couple pairs of normal cotton crew socks. As you extend your shoe, the thick socks will assist drive it open a bit further.


2. Put on your leather patent shoes. Squeeze your feet into the shoes you want to stretch after you’ve put on the socks. This may require some effort, but the thick socks will keep your feet from rubbing and pinching.


3. Blow hot air into your shoe in 20-second bursts using a blow dryer. Pass hot air from a hair dryer over the tight portions of your shoe while wearing your shoes and socks. Turn the dryer on to medium heat. Do not do this for more than 20 seconds at a time, since excessive heat might harm the leather and finish. Allow your shoes to cool before going over them again. Aim for a total heating duration of two to three minutes.


4. As you heat your shoes, move and extend your feet. Flex your feet within the shoes while you’re applying heat. Getting the leather moving will help it soften and become more supple.


5. Allow your shoes to cool on your feet. Don’t pull your shoes off as soon as you finish blasting them with hot air. Allowing the shoes to cool while still wearing them will allow them to adjust to the size and shape of your foot. Walking around in your shoes as they cool might help relax the leather and adapt it to your foot.


6. After your shoes have cooled, try them on with ordinary socks. After blasting your shoes with heat a few times and allowing them to cool, remove your shoes and remove the extra thick socks. Try on your shoes again with your regular socks or stockings and see how they fit. If they are still too tight, repeat the heat treatment. It is possible that you may need 2-3 sessions to observe an improvement.
Using a Shoe Stretcher


1. Use a ball-and-ring stretcher to target trouble locations. A ball-and-ring stretcher, which resembles a huge pair of pliers, provides a focused stretch on one specific region of the shoe (e.g., over a bunion). To preserve the finish of your shoe, place a plastic sandwich bag over it. Insert the stretcher’s ball into the shoe at the spot where you wish to stretch it out, then squeeze the stretcher shut. Tighten the clamps on the handles to keep it in place, then leave it overnight.
- Because patent leather shoes are rather stiff, you may need to repeat this step multiple times to get enough flexibility.
- After you get off the stretcher, you’ll feel a lump on your shoe. This hump will ultimately diminish as you wear the shoe.
- Ball-and-ring stretchers may be costly, with lower-priced variants beginning at approximately $40 USD and higher-priced ones starting at around $70 USD.


2. A 2-way shoe stretcher may be used to add length and breadth. Two-way shoe stretchers are designed to fit inside your shoe like a foot and may be enlarged in length and breadth. Insert the shoe stretcher into your shoe and spin the crank gently to extend the stretcher within the shoe. Once the stretcher has been opened to the proper length and breadth, keep it in the shoe for 24-48 hours. Repeat as necessary.
- If you stretch your shoe too much or too soon, you risk damaging it.
- Increase the stretch gradually by extending the stretcher with one full turn of the crank every 8 hours.
- Two-way shoe stretchers are available in a number of forms, and some are available with “pressure release pods” to target trouble areas. Lower-end versions start about $10 USD, while higher-end ones start at $50 USD.


3. For a gentler stretch, use a sock or some newspaper. If you’re concerned that a shoe extender will be too harsh on your beautiful patent leathers, gradually expand the inside of your shoe by inserting a rolled-up sock, wadded-up newspaper, or even a foot-sized potato into the toe and leaving it overnight.


4. Shoe stretching sprays should be used with care. Shoe-stretching sprays and treatments are available to condition leather and make it easier to stretch. The particular plastic finish of patent leather shoes, on the other hand, may impede the efficiency of this treatment. If you decide to use shoe stretching spray, ensure sure the product is suitable for use on patent leather.


5. If you’re concerned about your shoes, leave it to the specialists. If you are unsure about stretching your shoes without hurting them, take them to a shoe repair specialist. Someone who has handled delicate and costly shoes before may have a better notion of how much stretching your shoes can withstand and what procedures will work best to get the desired outcome.
How to Stretch Patent Leather Shoes – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Make Leather Shoes INSTANTLY COMFORTABLE – How to stretch patent leather shoes
3 Ways to Stretch Your Shoes at Home – How to stretch patent leather shoes
The Cool Way to Stretch Out Tight Shoes – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Is it possible to stretch patent leather shoes – How to stretch patent leather shoes
You can stretch your too-tight patent leather shoes a little bit with gentle heat from a hair dryer or with a shoe stretching kit.
How do you stretch synthetic patent shoes – How to stretch patent leather shoes
To stretch synthetic plastic shoes, wear them at home with thick socks to break them in. Use a blow dryer while wearing them to shape the shoes to your feet. For faux leather, use a leather-stretching spray or conditioning oil to soften the fabric and stretch them out.
Do patent leather shoes crack – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Patent leather is completely waterproof. Over time, it becomes cull and tends to crack. This step softens the patent leather’s surface and restores its shine.
How do Dr Martens stretch patents – How to stretch patent leather shoes
If you want to accelerate your timeline for stretching out your Doc Marten boots, try wearing an extra thick pair of socks and wearing them for 10 minutes at a at a time, 3 times a day.
How do you stretch designer shoes – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Wearing multiple pairs of socks and the shoes in question, hold a hairdryer up to the parts of the shoe that are tightest whilst flexing or moving your feet. This will help stretch them. Just be sure to let the shoes cool with your feet still in them.
Can rubbing alcohol stretch shoes – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Rubbing alcohol is another common household item that can be used to stretch tight shoes. If that new pair of shoes is giving your feet a hard time, you can more easily break them in and give them a stretch with rubbing alcohol.
Are patent leather shoes comfortable – How to stretch patent leather shoes
“The stiffer the material, the less forgiving the shoe will feel over time. For example, patent leather, while beautiful, is one of the worst offenders when it comes to comfort. That is why you will not find any uppers in the Benincasa line in full patent leather.”
How do you widen shoes that are too narrow – How to stretch patent leather shoes
7 ways to stretch out your shoes
Wear them in the evening. If your shoes are just a little uncomfortable, try wearing them around the house. …
Thick socks and a blow dryer. …
Frozen zip-close bag. …
The peeled potato trick. …
Adjustable shoe trees. …
Shoe stretch sprays and liquids. …
Find a shoe repair professional.
How do you soften faux leather – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Vinyl conditioner is typically recommended to soften faux leather, and should be applied with a soft cloth in small circular motions. Excess conditioner should then be removed with a clean cloth before leaving the product to dry. The process can be repeated until the level of softness desired is achieved.
Can you stretch synthetic climbing shoes – How to stretch patent leather shoes
While synthetic climbing shoes stretch less than leather climbing shoes, they do stretch a little bit. The best way to stretch them out is to climb in them for 2-3 weeks.
How long does it take for leather shoes to stretch – How to stretch patent leather shoes
A common question is “How long do you leave a shoe stretcher in?” We recommend leaving the shoe stretcher in your shoe for at least 6 to 8 hours. Anything less will not give sufficient time for the material to set in its new stretched form. Slip on thick socks – two pairs if you can manage it – and put on your shoes.
How do you stretch leather shoes with wet newspaper – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Another easy way to make those tight shoes roomier is with wet newspaper. Scrunch wet newspaper into your shoes and leave to dry. The paper will expand as it does, and your shoes should have more give.
Does freezing water in shoes stretch them – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Ice can actually be just as effective as heat for fixing a tight pair of shoes. Partially fill a sandwich bag with water and place it in the area where the shoe is snug. Put the shoe in the freezer. As your water freezes into ice, it’ll expand and help stretch the shoe out.
Can you fix cracked patent leather – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Despite its aesthetic appeal, patent leather poses some unique problems for cobblers and shoe repairers. While minor scratches and marks may be polished out with appropriate patent leather cleaning products, any significant damage to patent leather is difficult to restore.
Is Vaseline good for patent leather – How to stretch patent leather shoes
A mineral oil like petroleum jelly can be great for cleaning patent leather – yes, the same product you use to combat dry lips! Apply a little petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to a soft, clean cloth and rub the leather with the cloth. Then, use a dry, soft cloth to buff away any excess jelly.
How do you stop Dr. Martens from hurting – How to stretch patent leather shoes
How to make Dr Martens Comfortable.
Wear thick socks. …
Wear two pairs of socks. …
Wear your Doc Martens boots for short periods of time around the house. …
Give your feet a rest! …
Gradually go for short walks outside. …
Pad any places which may rub. …
Increase the amount of time you wear your Dr Martens boots outside.
Can a cobbler stretch Dr. Martens – How to stretch patent leather shoes
If you’re still struggling to break in your Dr. Martens, there are a number of slightly more expensive commercial options you can try. Although not everyone finds stretching spray and boot stretchers to be effective, they may work for your shoes. Alternatively, professional cobblers may be able to stretch your shoes.
Can you stretch Dr. Martens – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Yes, there are ways to stretch your doc martens bigger. They will be stretched over time but only when you wear them regularly for 10 minutes 2–3 times a day with extra thick socks.
How much does it cost to stretch leather shoes – How to stretch patent leather shoes
The experts agree the limit here is up to one full size. Stretching too much, especially all at once, could damage the integrity of the boot and make it more likely to wear down over time, especially in winter.
Can you stretch shoes a half size – How to stretch patent leather shoes
Stretching shoes lengthwise is also possible, but if you’re using DIY methods at home, I’d advise never trying to stretch them more than a half size up. What is this? Thankfully, most shoes can easily be stretched out to achieve some toe-wiggling room!
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