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.

I've stretched shoes with ice before. Basically fill a freezer bag with water, pop it in the shoe then freeze. The ice expands and stretches the shoe.

I used to work (many,many moons ago) in a chain of shoe shops. We'd say to a customer that we'd take the tight shoes out the back on the stretcher.

This was in fact a broom handle that we'd then bang the inside of the shoes on, in the heels or toes. Miraculously this worked.

I have been a size 7 since I was 11 years old in every single different style and pair of shoes Iv ever worn except one random fur lined pair of trainers (don't ask) where I had to get an 8
But Iv had this happen too, quite a few times in the last twoish years. Iv had at least four or five different pairs that say they are size 7 but fit more like a 6.5 or even a 6 and it's so disappointing if they have been an eBay or charity shop find because obviously you can't swap them for another size and it's not worth the hassle to send them back and lose delivery.

To answer though.

No Iv not found anything that really works.

Iv tried
Thick socks
Hairdryer
Freezer with water bags in
Stretching with a tool.

Sorry it's so annoying.

I bought a pair of leather sandals a couple of years ago (from Dune, funnily enough), you know the woven style that are sort of sandals, sort of pumps? They were a bit tight so I put on thick socks, put the sandals on and blasted them with the hairdryer for a few minutes. I wore them around the house with the socks on for a couple of hours and they fit perfectly. I still wear them a lot and they're really comfy.

I'm not sure if it works for boots though.

I bought some shoes that were a little small and a few hours walking around the house in think ski socks has worked.
I'm a size 9 and these were apparently a 9 but my toes were jammed at the end and no way was I walking around town again trying to find my size,its impossible.

I put 2 pairs of thick socks on, blasted them with the hairdryer for a minute, and wore them - and they’re much better now. How weird. You’d think it’d take more than that.

If anything, they feel slightly flappy now (I’m never happy, me). Still a bit concerned they’ll rub, but I’ll daub them in that dubbin stuff and wear blister plasters tomorrow.

I’ve cancelled the eBay return.

Thanks for all the replies. 😊

I've done this. 2 pairs of very thick socks, outside pair a little damp. Wear them for 5 mins or so until the leather is a little damp and then blast with a hairdryer on high heat until they dry. Repeat if needed with a third pair of socks

Leather stretcher spray works.

Take the insoles out