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Guide on how to stretch shoes yourself

Most have had shoes that pinch a bit somewhere or are a bit tight overall, making them not quite pleasant to wear. With our shoe stretchers you can stretch the shoes on your own, either stretch them in width more in general, or at a specific point such as for example for your pinky toes or similar. Learn how to stretch shoes yourself here.



It's recommended to use with the Tarrago Shoe Expander spray which softens the leather and makes it easier to stretch it. We have this basic shoe stretcher that can handle a lot, and our even stronger shoe and boot stretcher which also works for higher boots. Below is a guide on how to use a shoe stretcher to make shoes that are too tight fit you.

shoe stretcher
Shoe and boot stretcher
Our stretchers are available in three sizes. Small for most women's shoes (unless large sizes above at least EU40) and men up to approximately size EU39(UK5)-EU40(UK6). Medium for shoes between EU40(UK6)-EU41(UK7) and EU43(UK9)-EU44(UK10), and Large for shoes between EU43(UK9)-EU45(UK11) and up to EU46(UK12)-EU47(UK13). The stretchers come with plastic parts of different sizes that can be attached to different places on the stretcher to press more properly at sensitive places on the shoes.


For best effect and to avoid unnecessarily strain on the leather, we recommend the use of Saphir Shoe Eze or other product that softens the leather and makes it easier to stretch.
For best effect and to avoid unnecessarily strain on the leather, we recommend the use of Saphir Shoe Eze, Tarrago Shoe Expander or another product that softens the leather and makes it easier to stretch. If you want to stretch it extra in one place, start by inserting a suitable plastic part. You can also use several of these at once, depending on the desired result.


Then spray Saphir Eze on the area you want to stretch.
Then spray the leather softener on the area you want to stretch. First, try on a less visible area, so you are sure the leather can withstand the product. If it's the entire width you want to increase, you then spray the entire front of the shoe. Don't forget to also spray the area inside the shoe.


To insert the stretcher, screw the heel part in as far as you can, by screwing on the large knob.
To insert the stretcher, screw the heel part in as far as you can, by screwing on the large knob.


Then screw on the wheel so that the heel portion of the stretcher goes in the back of the shoe and that the front part is placed correctly to stretch on the desired area.
Then screw on the wheel so that the heel portion of the stretcher goes in the back of the shoe and that the front part is placed correctly to stretch on the desired area. If the shoe has a hard toe stiffener, the shoe tree should not be pushed too far forward in the shoe, since it is not possible to stretch the hard stiffener, but only the leather behind the toe cap.


Boot stretcher
If you use the stretcher for shoes and boots, you just have to locate it to the correct place in the shoe.


When the stretcher is in place correctly, you start to stretch out the front. It's done by screwing on the inner stick, and its hook at the back.
When the stretcher is in place correctly, you start to stretch out the front. It's done by screwing on the inner stick, and its hook at the back. As the stretcher expands, you will feel an increased resistance. Stretch the shoe in the desired way, if necessary release the screws and reposition the stretcher, and then tighten it again. Tighten it so that it clearly pushes out the leather, but not too hard so you risk damaging it.


hen leave the shoe for a day with the stretcher in it. Then you again spray the Saphir Shoe Eze on the area to be stretched, and screw so that the block expands further.
Then leave the shoe for a day with the stretcher in it. Then you again spray the Tarrago expander spray on the area to be stretched, and screw so that the block expands further. This can be repeated a number of times if needed, but it's good to allow the leather to expand incrementally, not to try to stretch everything at once, as you risk creating cracks in the leather.

If the other shoe needs to be stretched as well, the above procedure is repeated on that shoe. Should the stretching not suffice, you can try to stretch further, but be aware that leather can not be stretched indefinitely, you get an assessment of how hard the leather is stressed and if you can go further.

Here you'll find our shoe and boot stretchers and leather softeners.


Note, for best result, it is recommended to visit a cobbler who can do a proper stretching of the shoes. With this you may try to solve it yourself. For more complicated stretchings, expensive and/or sensitive shoes, it's better to visit a skilled cobbler for help.