i purchased some new black leather shoes on sunday as my others were knackered and since monday morning i find it a real struggle to get them on in the morning. they are the correct size but what i would like to know is does anybody know of an advanced way to stretch the leather and give it more play so i can put them on easier? cheers! brucie.
My old Dad told the best way is to pour hot water on them ( but not inside them, of course), dry them off and wear them around the house for a bit. Then plenty of wax shoe polish. The old cavalry way of stretching leather boots (or shoes, I suppose in your case) was to have a horse pee on them, but I think he was pulling my leg.
Another old fashioned way was to push a large potato into each shoe and leave for as long as possible.
Failing that, the shoe repairers will put stretch them for you. They will keep them a few days though, so i hope you have another pair!!
Did you buy your new shoes early in the morning?
Sounds a silly question, but feet are always slightly leaner first thing in the day and especially in warmer weather they swell slightly as the day wears on. Therefore shoes bought early in the day may seem OK but feel tighter later.
Sretching the leather by rubbing it hard with the blunt stick end of a wooden spoon or similar implement may help.