How to stretch out basketball shoes

Shoes Too Tight? 7 Ways to Stretch Your Shoes & When to Do More

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There are millions of pairs of shoes out there. But you only have two feet, and they’re unique to you. Take the time to be sure the shoes you buy are right for your feet.

Here are ways to change the shoes you already have if they’re too tight, plus tips on how to avoid narrow shoes and the problems they can give your feet.

1. Wear them in the evening

If your shoes are just a little uncomfortable, try wearing them around the house. Sometimes, a few nights of doing this can soften them up to the point they feel good.

Let your feet rest before trying this method, especially if it’s hot outside or you’ve walked a lot that day.

New shoes? Try to walk only on rugs or carpeted surfaces, so you can still return the shoes looking new, if needed.

2. Thick socks and a blow dryer

If the first method doesn’t work, this one will add a little extra stretch and help the shoes conform to your feet.

1. Put on a pair of thick socks and fasten the shoes comfortably.
2. Now try applying a hair dryer for 20 to 30 seconds at a time to the tight areas.
3. Use only medium heat, and keep the blow dryer in motion so you don’t excessively dry out or burn the leather.

It’s a good idea to apply a leather conditioner or moisturizer to the shoes after you’ve used this method.

3. Frozen zip-close bag

This method works best on nonleather shoes.

1. Fill a zip-close bag part of the way with water.
2. Place the partially filled bag inside your shoe. Try to arrange it so it’s near the tight spots.
3. Now place the shoe and bag in the freezer overnight.

The water will turn into ice and expand, giving you a custom stretch for your shoes.

4. The peeled potato trick

Peel a potato and mold it into the shape of your shoe’s toe box (front of the shoe). Wipe the potato dry with a paper towel, and stuff it inside your shoe overnight. This method can provide a modest amount of stretch.

5. Adjustable shoe trees

Once a specialty item at shoe repair shops, four-way adjustable shoe trees are now available for home use for under $25. Versions are available for both men’s and women’s shoes.

For a little more money, deluxe versions in cedar or other types of wood and stainless steel can be found.

These devices can help you expand the length and width of a shoe. Specially designed plugs (bunion plugs) can also target problem areas in the top of the toe box.

Turn the adjustment handle of the shoe tree every 8 to 12 hours to keep stretching until you get the desired length and width.

This method can be combined with shoe stretching spray and liquids. It’s best for leather shoes and sneakers.

6. Shoe stretch sprays and liquids

A variety of liquids and sprays to stretch leather, fabric, and even vinyl are available. Spray them on the tight areas and then walk in your shoes.

These products also can be used together with adjustable shoe stretchers to help give your shoes a custom stretch.

7. Find a shoe repair professional

Most professional shoe repair shops or cobblers provide stretching services. They have machines and training to alter shoes. Not only can a cobbler stretch your shoes, they can repair and refresh the ones you have to make them last longer overall.

But these shops are becoming harder to find in most areas from lack of interest.

Studies have shown that two-thirds of people wear shoes that are too narrow for their feet.

Tightness can come from a variety of fit problems, including:

• toe box too narrow, not high enough, or both
• overall length of the shoe is too short
• shape of shoe doesn’t conform to your foot
• height of heels puts stress on your toes or other parts of your foot

If you have any doubt about the comfort and fit of your shoes, it’s always best to pass on them. An ill-fitting pair of shoes can end up harming your feet and joints over time. You can always find a better-fitting pair somewhere else.

Signs your shoes don’t fit

If your toes don’t face straight ahead, seem crammed together, or are overlapping each other, it’s likely your shoes are too tight. When shoes fit properly, there’s space between each toe, and the toes face straight forward, not turned toward either side.

If your toes are bunched together in your shoes, the shoes are too tight. In addition to stretching your footwear, you need to help your toes to get back to their natural state of separation. Here are some things you can do:

• Take your toes in your hands and gently pull them apart.
• Separate your toes and wiggle them.
• Wiggle your toes a little every day
• Take off your shoes and socks or stockings, and let your toes get sunlight and air.

Here are 19 stretches and moves to try to help your feet feel good.

• Take your time. Never rush a shoe purchase. Try your best to see if the shoes fit while you’re in the store. Make sure you know the return policy before purchasing.
• Find the return policy. If you buy online, check the return policy. Some sellers provide free return shipping on all their shoes.
• Talk to someone with experience. Some shoe stores have salespeople who are experienced fitters. They will know about shoes in the store or on the market, can measure your feet, and suggest appropriate shoes to fit you.
• Check out specialty stores. If you have foot problems, such as bunions, look for specialty shoe stores that carry orthopedic and special styles.
• Look for toe boxes that are shaped like your foot. For the best fit, avoid pointy, curved, and irregularly shaped shoes. Look for a roomy toe box.
• Identify the brands that work for you. Since different brands are known for the styles, width, and shapes of their shoes, you might be able to better rely on specific brands.
• Buy men’s shoes. If you have wide feet, consider buying men’s athletic shoes. These are cut more widely and have a bigger toe box.
• Shop for shoes later in the day. Your feet might swell and be slightly bigger in the afternoon and evening than at the start of the day.

Try to limit the time and distance you wear high heels. While you may think they look great on you, your feet will pay for it in the long term. So be kind to yourself and limit their use.

Your shoes can be too loose or too tight. If they’re too loose, you may get blisters where the shoes rub against your skin.

Tight shoes can cause even more problems. They can:

• make you unstable on your feet
• deform your toes, produce blisters between your toes, and aggravate structural problems like hammer toe, mallet toe, and bone spurs
• aggravate foot conditions like bunions, flat feet, numbness, inflammation, and pain in the heel or ball of your foot (metatarsalgia)
• lead to long-term cartilage loss in the joints of your toes and feet

Properly fitting shoes are important for your health and well-being. Never rush a shoe purchase. Always take the time to make sure the shoes you buy are a good fit for you.

If you end up with shoes that are slightly too snug, there are things you can do at home or with the help of a shoemaker to adjust the shoes so they fit you well.

Do Basketball Shoes Expand? Ways To Stretch Out Basketball Shoes

Do Basketball Shoes Expand? It is one of the commonly asked questions from new basketball players. Basketball players are always looking for ways to do more on the court. Whether it’s increasing their vertical leap, getting faster, or jumping higher; they’re always trying to find an edge. One way of finding that extra edge is by wearing basketball shoes that fit well and offer up some support. But do basketball shoes really expand? We answer all your questions about do basketball shoes expand in this article!

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Basketball shoes can’t actually expand, they usually just get a little looser with time. A new pair of basketball shoes will not stretch very much because the leather on the shoe is still stiff and doesn’t give.
In most cases, once a pair of sneakers get more ‘broken in’ they’ll feel more comfortable on your feet, but there won’t be any increase in size. A new pair of sneakers can sometimes stay tight if you don’t use them enough while a well-used pair might also be stretched out from frequent wear. However, simply walking around won’t make these types of shoes bigger. A new synthetic material called kanga-suede has been developed to help reduce this break-in process.

Basketball players take their footwear very seriously and not just because they need to feel confident on the court. Players who play in properly fitted shoes can jump higher, run faster, and move easier than those without an appropriately fitting pair.

If you’re practicing basketball for a long period of time, it’s important to find a shoe that provides enough support and will be comfortable for your foot. It’s also important to take into account your playing style and your foot size

There are the following ways to stretch out your basketball shoes

A new pair of basketball shoes is usually tight, to begin with, so it doesn’t really make sense to wear them for hours at a time. When you first put new shoes on, they’ll feel especially tight because the leather has not been broken in yet. This “new shoe tightness” can last up to a week or two after purchase, but it will probably go away once the shoe’s material relaxes a little.

This is why many players recommend wearing sneakers at night. When you’re walking around all day and then coming home for dinner and watching television, your feet have been on them the entire day. It may help to take off your shoes after dinner and give your feet a break before going to bed.

2. Stretch out with Zip-Close Bag

If you live in a cold climate, have an extra zip-close bag in your freezer. Put your new sneakers in the bag before they are broken in so that they don’t lose their fit. Do this for up to 2 days and the shoes will likely stretch out enough for you to wear them comfortably.

Wearing thick socks with your sneakers can help stretch them out faster. Throw on some thick socks and then use your blow dryer to warm up the material. Do this for about 10 minutes, take off the socks, and then try them on. If they’re still tight, you may need to repeat this process a few times before they fit right.

Many people have their own tricks for stretching out their shoes. One of the most popular methods is to use a potato. Simply cut a peeled potato into small pieces and then insert it into your shoe. Put some socks on before you wrap up your shoes in plastic so that the shoe doesn’t get dirty. Leave them in your shoes overnight and remove the potatoes in the morning.

Basketball shoe spray has been developed to help loosen up the leather. Spray it on and let the shoe dry naturally. Do this for a couple of nights and you should see that your shoes will stretch out some after time.

Every once in a while, some players will find that their shoes are so tight that they don’t want to keep wearing them. A quick fix is often to take the shoe to be stretched out professionally. Your shoe repair professional has special stretching equipment and can provide you with options for getting your shoes to fit just right.

Basketball shoes should be very tight when you first buy them. They will loosen up with time and usage.

New basketball shoes should begin to feel loose after break-in-time when they are worn for a few hours per day, depending on the size of the shoe.  

It is important to wear a snug-fitting shoe because it supports the foot and helps protect against injury. If it hurts your feet, try a different pair of shoes until you find a good fit. Remember that there may be some breaking-in needed before going from new to broken in!

1. If your toes feel cramped, they probably are too tight for you. They should not touch the front of the shoe and should have room to wiggle and flex when you take a step.

2. If there is excess space between your heel and the back of the shoe, it could cause blisters and may even cause you to trip.

3. If the shoe is difficult to slide on, then they are probably too tight for your feet. It’s better to get them a size up than go through the pain of wearing shoes that are too small for your feet.

If these issues persist after breaking in new basketball shoes, there may be foot problems that come into play. It is important to consult a physician if these problems do appear after breaking in new basketball shoes.

When you are playing basketball, it’s important to wear a shoe that fits well so you can move without restriction. It’s also important because if your shoe doesn’t fit right then you could get injured. If the shoe isn’t fitting right then it can rub against your foot in all different types of ways that can cause discomfort, blisters, and even skin breakdown.

Some people believe that if their shoes are fitting properly, they should not expand at all. This is not accurate. Athletic footwear sometimes needs to be broken in. When you spend time exercising in your new workout shoes, they will adjust to your foot size and shape for a more customized fit. As the material breaks down, it will then provide an ideal fit for your feet without any excess space left in them to allow movement during activity.

Many people believe that new basketball shoes will stretch out over time because of the way they are made, but this is not true of all brands. The fabric can’t be stretched enough to make a difference for most people’s feet.

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Useful Resources:

How to Stretch Shoes That Are Too Tight

How to Break in Shoes

How to stretch sneakers in length or width

If the shoes are tight, it is not only uncomfortable, but it can harm the feet. This is especially true of sports shoes or sneakers. Stretching sneakers, making them more comfortable to wear is quite possible. The main thing is to know what material they are made of and apply the appropriate methods.

Which sneakers can be stretched

Do not rush to start the procedure of stretching a pair immediately after purchase. Often, after long loads and shopping, the legs get tired and swell. Perhaps in the morning your sneakers will no longer reap. If they still seem small, try stretching them out. But first find out what they are made of. Otherwise, there is a risk of irreparably spoiling them.

The easiest way to give the desired shape to sneakers made of suede, leather, nubuck. Be careful with fabric shoes: they can easily be deformed if not used correctly. The most difficult thing is to stretch the leatherette product. This material is hard to tolerate exposure to boiling water, steam, ice. And it is not easy to stretch it in the usual “wet” way. Perhaps it is better to sell or donate such sneakers. But if this option is not suitable, you can try stretching with the help of products containing alcohol.

Remember that:

1. Sports shoes are easier to stretch in width.
2. Fabric can be lengthened by a maximum of half a size. You can stretch sneakers to size if they are made of leather, suede or nubuck.
3. The skin becomes fragile after the procedure. Before stretching, especially with the use of heat, it is better to treat the product with shoe polish.
4. Sneakers made of artificial materials are easy to deform with an inept approach.
5. Stitching seams do not stretch.
6. Do not pour boiling water on rubber soles.
7. If the heel is very high, try not to break it.
8. At first, it is better to try to spread an uncomfortable pair, but not longer than three days.
9. The best time to buy new shoes is in the evening, when the feet are a little swollen.
10. Do not take sneakers without trying them on, as each manufacturer has its own size grid.

The smartest solution

If, after buying a sneaker, you realize that they are too tight, it is best to return or exchange them at the store. According to Russian laws, any buyer can return a new product under warranty within two weeks. To do this, you need to present your passport, cash receipt and warranty card. The main thing is that the shoes should be in the same form as when you bought them. It should not have signs of use: creases, scuffs. Make sure all liners, insoles and laces are in place.

If the pair is old, or you couldn't get it back under warranty, the surest solution is to take it to a professional workshop. The shoemaker knows how to stretch sneakers or trainers.

Each shoe has its own suitable product. Special pads on screws that can stretch any material help to increase the length. Masters use different creams, aerosols, powders that can cope with an uncomfortable couple. The shoemaker will take into account all your wishes and features of the foot, pull the sneakers in the area of ​​​​the bone.

If this method does not suit you for some reason, you can try to increase the sneakers or sneakers at home.

How to stretch shoes

There are several methods. Just remember that no sneakers or sneakers can stretch more than one size.

Steam and paper

This is a fairly simple and cheap method to pull leather, rubber, fabric sneakers and sneakers at home. It takes a few minutes to hold the product over the steam. The main thing is to do it carefully so as not to burn yourself. Then stuff your sneakers with dry, crumpled newspaper. To prevent the upper part of the shoe from deforming, do not dry it with a hair dryer, in the sun, near the radiator. Wait for the newspaper to dry. To speed up the process, paper can be changed. The same method helps to enlarge sports shoes if they have sat down after washing.

Vinegar

To stretch the sneakers, dampen a cloth with vinegar and then put it into the sock and into the back of the shoe. Cotton pads can be used instead of cloth. Put on shoes with impregnation and wear for about two hours. The method allows you to lengthen the product by a couple of millimeters.

Spacers

This is one of the most effective methods, the closest to what the masters do. To manage on your own, buy spacers at a shoe store. They are equipped with a screw mechanism, fit any size, pull leather materials well. In addition to the spacers, plastic pads are sold that take into account the characteristics of the foot.

You will also need professional products for the surface treatment of sneakers. It can be a special liquid, stretching foam or spray. This method works well for all types of leather and suede, but is unlikely to be useful for stretching the fabric.

Liquids containing alcohol may be used instead of professional products. For example, cologne. Or just water. Apply the product inside and out. Using the screw, set the block to the desired value, place it back to back. Keep the spacers inside until the sneakers are completely dry. If you repeat this procedure several times, you will completely relieve yourself of discomfort.

Before using an aerosol or spray, check how the shoe material will react to them. To do this, apply the product to an inconspicuous area. If after a couple of hours the treated area has changed color, it is better to look for another drug.

Water and ice

There are several ways to stretch sneakers or sneakers with water and cold. You can wear wet sneakers over your socks and then lace them up tight. Until the shoes dry, you need to actively move: run, jump, walk. If at any point your feet get hot, just pour cold water on the soles.

You can expand fabric sneakers with ice. To do this, use the physics course familiar from school:

1. Take two thick plastic bags, place inside each sneaker and carefully unfold.
2. Fill the bags with water and tie them up conscientiously.
3. Place the sneakers in the freezer for 24 hours.
4. If the steam presses into the toe, put something under the heels so that the bulk of the water "flows" down.
5. After a day, take the sneakers out of the freezer.
6. Let the ice melt a little.
7. Remove the cellophane.
8. Remove excess moisture with a tissue, dry the sneakers.

The method has one nuance: if the fabric is too thin, it may tear under the influence of ice.

When he presses the back

Sneakers can press not only in the heel area, but also on the side edging. It can be stretched in the same way as the heel. There are several proven methods to make the material softer.

Hammer

Moisten a soft cloth with water, apply to the back of the back from the inside. Then lightly tap with a hammer. The heel of the shoe must be on a firm surface.

Fingers

If the back of the shoe is made of hard leather or rubber, you can simply massage it with your fingers. The heel of the sneaker is especially easy to soften in this way: it is usually made of hard cardboard. In order not to spend a lot of time and effort on kneading, first hold the product over the steam. After a few minutes, the skin or matter will become more pliable.

Hair dryer

The method is suitable for softening pressing leather elements of sports shoes. To do this, you need an ordinary hair dryer. Hot air stretches the skin, making it more supple. After heat treatment, simply pull the sneaker with your fingers or put it on your foot. Be careful when heating the seam: there is a risk that the glue will melt from excessively hot air.

How to stretch shoes wide

It is much easier to increase sneakers or sneakers in width than in length. Suede is the easiest to stretch. Sneakers made of this material are enough to put on voluminous socks. After a couple of days, the legs will become much more comfortable. You can also pull the product at home with the help of professional tools that are produced by shoe brands and sold in special stores.

But you can use the available tools that are always at hand.

Alcohol and laundry soap

This method expands leather sneakers well. The following steps must be followed in sequence:

1. Pour alcohol or vodka into shoes (cologne will do).
2. Rub the interior surface with soaked laundry soap.
3. Let the resulting compound dry.

This method has some nuances. In particular, if the interior of the sneakers is made of low-quality matter, then a bad smell will appear in them. Getting rid of it in the future will be problematic. If this is your case, forget about soap, use only alcohol (vodka, cologne).

To do this, thoroughly moisten the inside of the product, put it on your feet and pour alcohol on the outside of the sneakers. You need to wear shoes for about two hours. So you will not only stretch the tight pair, but make it softer. The method is suitable even for sneakers made of synthetic materials. But if the sneakers are made of genuine leather, they must be rubbed with special protective agents or castor oil before being treated with alcohol.

Kerosene

Flammable liquid can be used as an alternative to soap and alcohol. The principle of processing is the same: grease the inner surface of the shoe with kerosene, wear for about an hour. As with laundry soap, there is a risk that the sneakers will have a stubborn smell.

Window cleaner

The method is based on the principle that glass and mirror cleaners contain alcohol. Proceed according to the following instruction:

1. Spray the sneakers liberally inside and out.
2. Wear shoes with thick socks.
3. Wear for about two hours.

The effectiveness of the method is confirmed by many lovers of sports shoes. It can be used for natural materials and leatherette products. Another plus of this approach is that the smell of washing liquid quickly disappears.

Boiling water

This approach is only suitable for leather shoes that can withstand 300-degree boiling water. The procedure requires some courage, since boiling water must be poured into the product and left for 8 minutes. Then drain and allow the skin to dry at room temperature. Never use this method to expand products made of synthetic materials. Otherwise, it will lead to deformation.

Moisture

The so-called "military" method is suitable for stretching leather and fabric products. It is enough to moisten socks in water, put them on with sneakers and wear them until completely dry. To remove excess moisture from the shoes, after the procedure, the shoes need to be stuffed with crumpled newspapers.

If the situation is hopeless

When none of the above methods help, and the purchase is still too tight, try simply removing the insoles. If this approach seems unhygienic to you, replace the thick sports insole with a regular thin one. In extreme cases, you can sell or give a couple to friends.

And remember that you can not buy sneakers without trying them on. The best time to buy sports shoes is in the evening. After all, at this time our feet are a little larger.

How to stretch your sneakers at home by a size larger if you press your fingers

Contents

1. How to determine if shoes can be stretched
2. Stretching aids
3. The ice method
4. How to stretch heated sneakers
How to use
5. newspaper to stretch sneakers
6. Method with alcohol
7. Oil method
8. How to stretch sneakers
9. How to stretch leather sneakers
10. Helpful hints:

There are times when during the operation of the shoe it turns out that wearing it creates inconvenience. It turns out that the sneakers are tight in the fingers, and the sneakers are too narrow and it would be nice to widen them. The advice of experts will help stretch sneakers or sneakers by 1 size and not ruin it.

How to determine if shoes can be stretched

First of all, you need to determine the material and format of sewing your model of sneakers. Pay attention to a number of factors:

• If the model is made of textile, there is a chance that it will stretch itself during wear. If after a few days of application a miracle did not happen, you can try stretching products. At the same time, do not count on cardinal changes. Textiles are worn in no more than half the size.
• Genuine or pressed leather can be easily stretched. Their parameters can easily be increased by 1 size.
• Hard plastics are more difficult. When attempting to modify such a product, it is most likely that it will deform and lose its attractiveness.
• If it's not about fullness or length, it's likely that the seams are too tight. Unfortunately, this situation cannot be corrected by stretching. In this situation, it is better to exchange or return the purchase to the store.

Only after considering the risks and making sure that the benefits are higher, proceed to the activities of breaking in shoes. If this is difficult to do at home, ask a shoemaker for help. In the arsenal of specialists there are always devices and devices for correcting the size of shoes.

Stretching agents

Demand creates supply, therefore household chemical goods and footwear stores offer a choice of stretching agents for products made of different materials.

Among them are several popular products:

• Salton foam for posting all types of leather.
• Salamander Shoe Stretch Suitable for smooth leather, suede, patent leather and nubuck.
• Stretch spray for Pregrada 9 shoes0223 is suitable for all skin types.
• Dr. Spray Waxon Shoe Stretch is designed specifically to fit any shoe size.