Apply a little heat
Put on a thick pair of socks with the shoes, then aim your blow dryer at the tight spots, using medium heat to soften the shoe until it fits comfortably. It usually takes a couple of minutes to stretch the shoe a little more (just keep the hair dryer's nozzle moving to avoid damaging the leather).
Another easy way to make those tight shoes roomier is with wet newspaper. Scrunch wet newspaper into your shoes and leave to dry. The paper will expand as it does, and your shoes should have more give.
Method 1: Stretch with a blowdryer.
You can speed up the stretching process for leather shoes using thick socks and a blowdryer. The heat loosens up the leather, so it can mold to your foot. Instructions: Cover your feet with one or two pair of socks (The thicker, the better!)
Wear your sneakers for 4-5 hours at a time around your home.
They'll break in even if you're just sitting down. The heat and sweat from your feet will soften up the shells of the sneakers and cause the shoes to mold to the shape of your feet. Be aware that it can take 5–7 days to break in a pair of shoes.
A common question is “How long do you leave a shoe stretcher in?” We recommend leaving the shoe stretcher in your shoe for at least 6 to 8 hours. Anything less will not give sufficient time for the material to set in its new stretched form.
Apply Vaseline to the shoe.
Let the shoes sit overnight. After allowing the shoes to sit and soften, wipe them down with a dry cloth to remove any excess Vaseline. If your shoes have not as soft as you'd like after a single coat, repeat the process again until your shoes are as soft as you want them to be.
The Ziploc Bag Trick. A good way to stretch out your sneakers overnight is by getting a Ziploc bags, filling them with water, and stuffing them inside of your shoes. You'll then put your shoes in the freezer overnight, where the water will freeze, causing it to expand and open up your shoes some more.
Give your shoes a soak.
Place your sneaks in a bucket of warm, soapy water. Use gentle laundry soap, dish soap, or OxiClean (sometimes I use a combo). After letting them soak overnight, rinse them off in cold water and let them air dry.
How long do I need to stretch my shoes with ice, and do I need to repeat it every time I wear them? Leave the shoes in the freezer for 6-8 hours or overnight. Repeat as needed for a perfect fit.
Many people feel that a shoe needs to be tight on the heel when they are new. There is no such thing as heel width. This fallacy causes many people to buy their shoes too small. A properly fitted shoe may slip on the heel slightly when new.
Is it better for shoes to be tight or loose? Shoes that are on the tighter side are likely to rub, and since this friction can cause blisters, it's best to have a bit of wiggle room.
Avoid Tight Fitting Shoes
Tight-fitting shoes are harmful to your feet in several ways, and one of the effects is ingrown toenails. Tight shoes pinch your toes and place too much pressure on them, causing your nails to grow into soft tissue. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes that fit properly.
Use the Wet-Leather Trick
The ultimate cost-effective way to stretch leather boots is to soak them in warm water for up to an hour, until they are drenched. Once your boots are wet, wear them until they are dry. This will help them stretch to the shape of your feet.
Stuff your shoes with newspaper
Make sure the newspaper is just slightly wet, but make sure it's not soaking. Water can damage the inner sole, Victoria explains. Stuff each shoe with enough paper until it is sufficiently full and slightly stretching.