A shoe stretcher gently widens tight leather shoes exactly where they pinch, easing pressure points. At Langer & Messmer you will find shoe and boot stretchers in beech wood, for women and men.
Stretching tight shoes and boots
When a leather shoe pinches, a shoe stretcher widens it rather than sending it to the back of the wardrobe. You place the stretcher inside the shoe and widen it step by step with the handle. Adjustable knobs put the pressure exactly on the tight spot at the toes or the instep, so the leather gives where it needs to without changing the rest of the shoe.
Shoe stretcher or boot stretcher?
The shoe stretcher is made for low shoes, the boot stretcher for boots with a higher shaft (from about 12.5 cm). We make both in beech wood, each for women and men; for women there is also a version for high heels.
For single pressure points: toe box and instep
If only one spot pinches, the targeted models help: the toe-box stretcher widens the toe area, the instep stretcher the upper part of the foot. For stubborn spots, our leather stretch spray softens the leather before stretching.
The right model for women and men
Choose the right model in our women's and men's sections. After stretching, a cedar shoe tree holds the shape, and shoe cream and wax care for the stretched leather.
Frequently asked questions
Do shoe stretchers actually work?
Yes, on leather. A wooden stretcher widens the shoe where it pinches and eases pressure points over a day or two. It works far less on synthetic uppers, which do not give like leather.
How long should you leave a shoe stretcher in your shoes?
Leave it in for a few hours up to a couple of days, depending on how tight the shoe is. Widen gradually and in steps rather than forcing it at once, and check the fit in between.
What can I use instead of a shoe stretcher?
Home methods such as thick socks or a hairdryer give a little, but they are hard to control. A wooden stretcher, with a leather stretch spray for stubborn spots, widens the shoe precisely where it pinches.
How do I stretch shoes one size bigger?
A stretcher does not add a full size. It gives a little more width, some models a little length too, and eases pressure points; it is not meant to change a shoe's size.