Stretching/softening new boots

[EmmaWoodlouse]

I have a pair of newish nubuck ankle boots with feel perfectly comfortable for a short walk, but every time I wear them for a long walk they rub somewhere (heels or toes or both). I tried putting plasters on the areas where they might rub and just keeping on wearing them, that's fine until the first time I don't use the plasters and then if it's a long walk they eventually become uncomfortable again. I can't quite work out whether they are just ever so slightly small all over (in which case why isn't it obvious as soon as I put them on?) or the texture is just a bit hard.

I read a tip about stretching shoes by wearing them with wet socks - I've tried that indoors, but would imagine it needs to be done for quite a long time to make a real difference. What else might work? I can't take them back now as I've persevered with them a bit too long for that, and I don't really want to sell them as they'll do for occasions where I don't have to walk much, if nothing else.

There is a shoe stretching spray that you can buy from punch. Its really good:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/201295570882?adgroupid=&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80

You may also buy it elswhere, thats just the link that came up. I spray and then put thick socks on and wear around the house. Usually does the trick. You can also buy wooden shoe stretchers fairly cheap of ebay. Combined with the spray, it also works.

I've stretched and softened boots with a hairdryer before - stick a pair of massively thick socks on, then the boots (so that your foot is definitely bigger than the usual space needed), then use a hairdryer to warm the leather and soften it, and it'll stretch to the bigger size. I had to do this twice before mine entirely stopped rubbing, but it didn't take very long each time. Make sure not to have the dryer too close to the material, especially with nubuck or suede.

Thanks, will try the hairdryer and maybe the spray if that doesn't work!

I've done the hairdryer tip twice now and it definitely seems to have made a difference. Thanks again, deianira - and Greengardenpixie I'll keep your idea in mind for if this ever happens again!