Stretching shoes

[Feng_Li]

My first pair of ebay shoes is a bit too narrow. Can they be stretched a bit, or am I better off reselling them? They are 10 D, and I think I need 10 E. However, the size break for shoe trees is 10 D / E, so I was thinking perhaps I could stretch them with the larger trees.

 

[Tomasso]

A competent cobbler can stretch a D to a E for a nominal charge.

 

[Feng_Li]

That's good to know, as I see D come up much more frequently on ebay than E.

 

[Teacher]

If that's all you need, then it's no problem. One thing to remember: show the cobbler exactly where the shoe is tight. Stretching can be done strategically, so that the entire shoe -- including parts that currently fit you -- aren't stretched.

 

[Brooksie]

I have a few pairs of vintage shoes that are to tight, so I need to look into shoe stretching also. It's good to know that there are still people around to do these types of things.

LB

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

Every shoe repair shop will do it. They'll even resole them. Luckily I haven't had the need for resoling.

 

[cookie]

It seems impossible to bump them from a "C" fitting to an "E" though....

 

[Feng_Li]

What a pleasant surprise!

I called up a shop in Hillsboro, which is not too far away. Not only do they offer the service, but they don't charge for it!

 

[dhermann1]

How about that shoe stretching liquid that comes in the red plastic bottle. Does that work?

 

[cooncatbob]

I just stretched out my Doc Martens, I don't know why they don't have 1/2 sizes? The 11 were too big so I got the UK size 10 and they rub against my big toe so I wear the thinest socks I can find. I just got some shoe stretcher on OFAS and I doused the shoes inside and out with Lexol leather conditioner and used the stretcher on them over night. It seems to have worked. I have a pair of K-Swiss and a Pair of Piloti driving shoes that both rub my big toes too, so they're next. That seems to be the problem with buying shoes online.
Bob

 

[Feng_Li]

I dropped them off today and was told to come back Friday to test them.

 

[StaceFace]

I just received some shoes on ebay that are a bit too tight lengthwise. They're from the 20s or early 30s and the materal doesn't feel very malleable. Do you think there's any hope or should I just return them?

 

[Tomasso]

.....too tight lengthwise. Do you think there's any hope

Sorry to say but NO.

 

[manton]

Another thing you can do is send them back to the manufacturer to be relasted. Relasting downward a click or two is easy. Up, less so, but often still possible. Needless to say, this will not work with vintage shoes, unless the maker is still around and still has the lasts.

 

[Feng_Li]

Got mine back on Saturday...they aren't perfect but they're perfectly serviceable, and for $30 I'm not complaining.