Boots 1/2 size too small. Does stretching work?

[LilOldMe]

I snapped up some gorgeous real-leather new Dune biker boots on eBay for £49.99. They are marked on the box as a size 7 - EU 40. But I think they’re really a size 6.5. (Isn’t size 7 actually EU 41?)

Anyway. They’re slightly small when I test them round the house, and I think they’ll rub my heels. They’re fab otherwise. Is there anything I can go or should I return them?

Have you ever tried stretching boots, or taking them to be stretched?

Does it work?

Thanks.

Go to a cobblers and buy some dubbins. Makes the leathrr more pliable to your feet. I don’t know what stretching is.

Ooh, I’ve got dubbin. But I don’t want to do anything that’ll stop the seller accepting a return. So I need something that’ll definitely work.

Stretching is where you stretch the boot to make it bigger. 😊

But I don’t want to do anything that’ll stop the seller accepting a return. So I need something that’ll definitely work

If you try anything to stretch them then you really cannot then try to return them! It's unethical.

FGS send them back. They're not a bargain if they don't fit you properly. You're a 7, that's not a difficult size to find. I'd guess if you stretch the leather uppers of the shoe that the sole will still remain the same, slightly too small size which will be uncomfortable over time.

I agree! Which is why I was asking if it was possible before I tried anything.

I think they mess with sizes because I think a 41 is a 7.5......you can't stretch them and then send them back!!

I WON’T TRY TO STRETCH THEM THEN RETURN THEM.

I’m asking if anyone had tried a technique that worked! So I can know it’s safe to keep them!

Jeez.

@LilOldMe

I agree! Which is why I was asking if it was possible before I tried anything.

Think you'd be better cutting your losses and sending then back. Can understand your disappointment though.

I'd just send them back OP and look for another pair. Leather boots that are noticeably too tight will rub like buggery. Stretching and breaking in might work but it's not guaranteed and you can't send them back stretched.

haha cross post sorry!

I’m such an idiot — I’ve just checked my shoes and they’re almost unanimously a 40. Except two random pairs (one foreign, the other from Clark’s) that are 41.

Maybe I’m a 40? 😂

I currently have the boots on with two pairs of thick socks. I’m going to keek them. They’re not painfully tight, just ever so slightly “close” which I’m SURE is fixable.

Do let’s not worry any more about the poor eBay seller. I’ll honestly keep them.

So have you ever fixed ever so slightly “snuggly” leather boots? I just want 5mm more.

Nothing I have ever tried has stretched boots.

Except ones that were bordering on too loose to begin with and they just got bigger and bigger.

@SlopesOff

Nothing I have ever tried has stretched boots.

Except ones that were bordering on too loose to begin with and they just got bigger and bigger.

Did you try wearing thick socks and blasting the boots with a hairdryer?

@Blueuggboots

I think they mess with sizes because I think a 41 is a 7.5......you can't stretch them and then send them back!!

This thread was worth it just for this revelation! Thank you. I always thought 7 was 41.

So I don't know if this does work but I remember when I was younger my Mum stuffed the shoes with wet newspaper/paper & left it overnight. She swore by this!

@LilOldMe

I WON’T TRY TO STRETCH THEM THEN RETURN THEM.

I’m asking if anyone had tried a technique that worked! So I can know it’s safe to keep them!

Jeez.

OP I understood you perfectly if that helps at all

Thank you for reminding me, I have some Kurt Geiger biker boots to put on Ebay, they are meant to be a 6 but they are bigger.

Sizes vary too much, depends where they are made

Thank you, @Anordinarymum 🤗

@SlopesOff

Thank you for reminding me, I have some Kurt Geiger biker boots to put on Ebay, they are meant to be a 6 but they are bigger.

Sizes vary too much, depends where they are made

Ooh - send me the link. 😂

I haven't even taken the photos yet! Am wading through tons of stuff and they are waiting their turn.
They have been worn a little bit, assumed you wanted new.

I recently stretched DH's new leather shoes with great success. They were his usual size and width (same make/style he'd bought before) but just felt too tight. I bought some shoe stretchers from Amazon, they are magic! Totally eased the tightness over the instep within a few hours.

Unfortunately, I am now making a mental tally of all the shoes and boots I've needlessly got rid of over the years

Oh and the stretchers even have bits you can put in for giving more room over the toes.

@TeaAndStrumpets

I recently stretched DH's new leather shoes with great success. They were his usual size and width (same make/style he'd bought before) but just felt too tight. I bought some shoe stretchers from Amazon, they are magic! Totally eased the tightness over the instep within a few hours.

Unfortunately, I am now making a mental tally of all the shoes and boots I've needlessly got rid of over the years

That sounds good. I'm going to look into this as I have boots I don't wear anymore due to my feet swelling a little as I have got older. Thanks x

Yes they do! I have some leather converse which I paid a lot of money for. Anyway we had a leak in the house and it just got one of my trainers which made that foot shrink so I used stretching tool I bought from amazon and they fit again!