You have got your favorite leather boot pair. But, it was tight. It can be a squeezed toe space or a deep shaft that takes over your calf. You can use a stretcher spray or a boot stretcher to adjust its size.
I will explain which solution you should choose by comparing both of the options. Read the blog to know the details.
What is a Boot Stretcher?
It is a tool that helps expand your boot size, either in length or width, to make it more comfortable and fit your feet. It can give you relief for a rigid toe, firm heel, or other pressure areas of your leather shoes by reshaping it within a few hours.
How Does it Work?
A boot stretcher is a wooden or plastic foot shape that you insert inside the shoe body. After that, you apply outward pressure by adjusting the knob of the stretcher.
In this, you can reshape your shoe material (Especially leather or suede) to make your shoe more comfortable.
What are the Different Types of Boot Stretchers?
Various types of boot stretchers perform different functions. Here are the types of stretchers:
1. Single-Direction Stretcher
It can only increase the width of your stretcher. It can ideally improve the toe space of your shoe.
2. Multi-Directional Stretcher
This kind of stretcher can enhance both the length and width of your shoe. It will improve the overall fitness of your shoe.
3. Spot Shoe Stretcher
It can stretch targeted areas of your shoe, such as toe space and heel to give you much-needed relief.
4. Instep Shoe Stretcher
This kind of shoe stretcher can reduce the pressure from the instep of your shoe to give comfort to high-arched feet.
5. Boot Stretcher
It has a long handle to stretch the foot-bed area of your boots without damaging its shaft. The stretcher is perfect for heavy-duty work boots and cowboy boots.
Every stretcher type has its specific use. You can use it according to your needs and shoe type.
Advantages of Using a Shoe Stretcher
A shoe stretcher is a must-have accessory. It can ease your foot health and life in the following ways:
Personalized Size
You can customize your shoe size by adjusting pressure areas such as the toe, heel, and others.
Easy Break-in
It makes the break-in of your shoe super easy. Moreover, you do not have to wait for a month to adjust it to your foot size.
Fix Foot Pain
It can fix foot pain by adjusting tight areas of your shoe such as the toe, heel, calf, and others.
Repeated Use
It is a one-time investment to care for and maintain your multiple shoe pairs. You can use it for several years after paying the one-time price.
Mandatory for Weird Shaped Feet
If you have inherently weird-shaped feet, then no pair of shoes in the world can fit your foot size. In this case, you must have a shoe stretcher to adjust your shoes according to your size.
Considering such benefits of shoe stretchers, it is a necessary tool everybody should have at home.
Limitations of a Boot Stretcher
Every tool has its user ceiling, but also its advantages. So, the shoe stretcher comes with these limitations:
Material Restriction
A shoe stretcher works best on natural materials such as leather and suede. It may not give better results on synthetic shoe materials and fibers.
Time Taking Solution
A stretcher can not reshape your shoes instantly. Instead, it will take a few hours to a period of overnight to improve the size of your shoe.
Deforming Shape
Wrong or aggressive stretching can damage your shoe by deforming its shape. So, professional experience is mandatory for this task.
Before choosing the shoe stretcher to improve the size of your shoes, keep in mind these limitations. It will help you make wise decisions.
What is a Stretcher Spray?
It is a specially formulated liquid material that softens the leather fibers of your shoe making it flexible and easy to stretch. Its chemical reaction can reshape the shoe material more easily than mechanical ways.
It give the best results when used with mechanical tools such as wooden or plastic stretchers.
How Does Stretcher Spray Work?
These stretching sprays consist of alcohol or water-based formulations. It smoothly enters and covers the fibers of leather, suede, or fabric. After application, you need to wear the shoe or insert a shoe stretcher to reshape it according to your wish.
Why Should You Use a Stretcher Spray?
Every product has its positive and negative points. The shoe stretcher spray is a great solution for the following reasons:
◈ Fast Results: It provide quick and smooth results without the need for a tool.
◈ Easy to Afford: You can afford it easily as it is a low-priced product.
◈ No Side-Effects: A shoe stretcher spray of a good brand does not harm the leather material. It has very low side effects.
◈ Best for Travel: It is the perfect product for a travel bag for quick use.
These features make it a great solution for stretching your leather and suede shoes.
Restrictions on Use
Despite its unique features, the shoe stretcher spray also has some limitations in use. I have listed here these limitations:
➜ Untargeted Application: You cannot target specific points on your shoes due to the less precise application.
➜ Not a Permanent Solution: It is not a permanent solution. It can only give temporary solutions and require repeated use.
➜ Material Vulnerability: It is not safe for several synthetic materials. It is sensitive to materials that are not labeled as safe.
So, the shoe stretcher spray can be a good choice for quick fixes and temporary solutions. It has limitations that require the use of a mechanical shoe stretcher.
Which Product Should You Choose?
If your boots are slightly tight and you need a quick solution, then use stretcher spray. It will make the boot material fast and break in easily.
However, if your boots have tough spots such as toes and other areas that require a size and shape modification, then use a boot stretcher for a long-term solution.
In my experience, using a combination of both solutions is the best approach. It can cover all your boot stretching needs.
Conclusion
Choosing a perfect boot fit solution is not a big deal. Select the Eagle Boot Stretcher Spray(6oz) for an instant and light adjustment of your boot material.
On the other hand, the Eagle Premium Professional Boot Width Stretcher is best for detailed reshaping and modification of your boot size. Soften the material with spray and stretch it with the boot stretcher for a more effective solution. Best of luck!
