Best Shoe Stretcher and Boot Stretcher in 2023

With five different test persons, we tried to find the best shoe stretcher and boot stretcher out there. We tested the 32 most popular products you can buy online. The test lasted three weeks. In our opinion the best stretcher for shoes is Eachway Shoe Stretcher and the best boot stretcher is HOUNDSBAY Boot Stretcher.

Shoe Stretcher and Boot Stretcher

Best Shoe Stretcher

I think most of us have experienced putting on one of our favourite pair of shoes. Just to notice they’re too small. But not too small in general. Too small or tight in one particular area. It could be you got problems with bunions. It could be too narrow toe box on the shoes. It could be a million reasons.

Best Shoe Stretcher

But if you get a shoe stretcher you can stretch your shoes on the width or on the length. And you can do it all by yourself. If there’s a particular pain point you want to get rid of, you can use shoe stretchers with adjustable plugs to stretch out that area.

If your shoes are really valuable, you might consider letting a cobbler stretch them out for you. But for your day to day pairs, one of the shoe stretchers we’ve reviewed in this article, would be a great solution for you.

Stretchers Shoes Actually Like

In this article you will find a guide on how to use a stretcher to stretch shoes. You will also find out which shoe and boot stretchers we tested. And which stretcher is the best on the market. Here’s the rundown

Best Shoe Stretcher

Eachway Shoe Stretcher

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Best Shoe Stretchers for Boots

HOUNDSBAY Boot Stretcher

boot shoe stretcher

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Best Professional Shoe Stretcher

FootFitter Shoe Stretcher

pro stretcher for shoes

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Best Boot Calf Stretcher

FootFitter Professional Cast Aluminum Boot Shaft Stretcher

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Great Wooden Shoe Stretcher

HOUNDSBAY Beagle

wooden shoe and boot stretcher

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Best High Heel Stretcher

Formé Shoe Shapers

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Best Shoe Stretcher for Wide Feet

Topsome Shoe Stretcher Men

wide feet shoe stretchers

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Shoe Stretch Spray to Use With Your Shoe Stretcher

Shoe Stretch Spray

FootMatters Professional Boot & Shoe Stretch Spray

shoe stretch spray

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PREMIUM Shoe Stretch Spray

Simple Shine Leather Stretch Spray

premium stretch spray for shoes

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Shoe Stretchers: In-Depth Reviews

It’s not easy to pick the perfect stretcher for shoes and boots. They seem pretty much alike. If you want to know the key features and differences between the products in the list, keep reading. In this section you’ll find our in-depth reviews of the best products on the market right now.


Best Stretcher for Shoes

Eachway Shoe Stretcher for Men and Women

Review of Eachway Shoe Stretcher

Eachway shoe stretcher can stretch your footwear in four different ways – width, length, and even help relieve foot pain caused by bunions, calluses, and corns.

Plus, it’s made of premium materials that are built to last, so you can stretch your shoes to your heart’s content.

Just be warned, these guys aren’t meant for boots. But they’re perfect for everything else, from flats to sneakers to sandals.

And with a handy canvas bag included in the set, you can keep your newly stretched shoes looking fresh and clean.

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Best Boot Shaft Stretcher

FootFitter Professional Cast Aluminum Boot Calf Stretcher

Review of FootFitter Professional Shaft Stretcher

The FootFitter Calf and Shaft Stretcher is a premium tool for stretching the instep, the calves and shaft of boots.

Made from heavy-duty cast aluminum, this dual stretcher is suitable for all types of boots, including western, cowboy, work, and riding boots. It is effective at relieving pressure and tightness around the calf and ankle.

When using this or any other type of boot stretcher, it is important to go slow and ease the stretching process for the best results.

We’ve all had success using this stretcher to stretch a variety of boots, including natural material and leather boots and way wide calf boots, and have found it to really be worth the money.

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Best Boot Stretcher

HOUNDSBAY Boxer Heavy-Duty Professional Boot Stretcher

boot shoe stretcher

Review of Houndsbay Shoe Stretcher

This is a highly recommended stretcher on a couple of online stores. The reviews are overall really positive. And we love the product as well. It is great for boots, booties, pumps. But also for sneakers.

A versatile system with a lot of plastic plugs you can use to spot stretch. Like if you have a problem with bunions or need to widen the toe box.

One big drawback though, is that you have to order two if you want a set for your pair of shoes. Or stretch on first and the other later on.

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Best Boot Stretcher

HOUNDSBAY Boxer Heavy-Duty Professional Boot Stretcher

boot shoe stretcher

Review of Houndsbay Shoe Stretcher

This is a highly recommended stretcher on a couple of online stores. The reviews are overall really positive. And we love the product as well. It is great for boots, booties, pumps. But also for sneakers.

A versatile system with a lot of plastic plugs you can use to spot stretch. Like if you have a problem with bunions or need to widen the toe box.

One big drawback though, is that you have to order two if you want a set for your pair of shoes. Or stretch on first and the other later on.

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Wooden Shoe Stretcher

HOUNDSBAY Beagle Heavy-Duty 1-Way Shoe Stretcher

wooden shoe and boot stretcher

Review of Houndsbay Beagle

This one is exactly like the one-way stretcher from FootFitter. It loosens the width on tight shoes. The difference is that the product from Houndsbay has a guiding wheel made of thick steel as opposed to the plastic one on the FootFitter. When we used the plastic one for tightening, it actually felt like it could break.

On the other side: the bunion plugs here are plastic, as opposed to the steel ones on the FootFitter.

I think we prefer steel on the guiding wheel. But only time would tell. We only tried the product over a couple of weeks.

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High Heel Shoe Stretcher Top Pick

Formé Shoe Shapers stretch & shape

Review of Formé Shoe Shapers

This is a really nice product. It’s great for all women’s shoe styles from flats to 6 inch heels.

Formé uses a patented 7-fold technology. It makes it really easy to customize the fit.

Stretch desired areas by adjusting the form of the stretcher. They are sturdy also, since they’re made of stainless steel and thermoplastic polymer.

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Men’s Shoe Stretcher Best Pick

Topsome Stretcher for Men’s Shoes, 4-way Shoe Widener for Wide Feet

wide feet shoe stretchers

Review of Topsome Stretcher for Men’s Shoes

This is a 4-way adjustable stretcher that will widen the most persistent material. It’s a great pick for persons with wide feet.

We also find the product perfect for widening running shoes. Especially after a while when the running shoes, or sneakers, started to “collapse” a bit.

The only drawback with this product is that it’s made of plastic.

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Women’s Shoe Stretcher

So, it’s quite easy to find shoe stretchers that works on regular leather shoes. But what about women’s shoes? For regular women’s shoes you can just pick a smaller size of the stretcher, and you’ll be find.

womens shoe stretcher

For boots and booties you’ll need a longer shaft stretcher, like the one from Houndsbay.

And for high heels and some sandals we recommend the stretchers from Formé.

Boot Stretchers

Boot stretchers typically have a longer and narrower shape, and may have additional features such as a built-in heel expander or a toe block to help stretch specific areas of the boot. You want specific boot stretchers for long boots, when it is tricky to reach the area that needs to be stretched. Or if you want to stretch the calves or shafts of the boots.

  • Use a boot stretcher specifically designed for the type of boots you have (e.g. wide calf, narrow shaft).
  • Make sure the stretcher fits snugly in the boot and is positioned correctly to apply pressure to the desired area.
  • Use plenty of force when turning the handle or knob to apply pressure to the inside of the boot.
  • Leave the boot stretcher in place for at least 12 hours, or even overnight if possible.

Make sure your boots are made of a material that is stretchable. If it seems to work, you can always repeat the process if it seems necessary.

Keep reading: Best shoe trees, Best shoe trees for sneakers, Best Shoe Widener.

Conclusion

Shoe stretchers and boot stretchers are both useful tools for helping to improve the fit and comfort of footwear. Shoe stretchers are designed to stretch the length and width of shoes, and can be used on a variety of shoe styles, including pumps, loafers, and sneakers. Boot stretchers, on the other hand, are specifically designed to stretch the shafts and calves of boots, and come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of boots.

Both shoe and boot stretchers can be effective in helping to alleviate pressure points and discomfort, and can save the wearer from having to purchase new shoes or boots due to a poor fit. It is important to use the correct type of stretcher for the specific type of shoe or boot you are trying to stretch, as using the wrong type of stretcher may not be effective or may even damage the shoe or boot.

Patricia Merken

Interior design blogger

Neat freak and shoe lover. American expat in Switzerland.
Blogger and mom. Blogs about shoe care and shoe storage at Footweardrobe.

Shoe Stretcher – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do Shoe Stretchers Really Work?

We can only hope that our shoes fit perfectly when we buy them. We know our shoe sizes and width, we try them on in the middle of the day when we visit the store. And when our feet are a bit swollen. And we always go for the models in which we need to pinch our toes together.

Does Shoe Stretch Spray Really Work?

If you use a shoe stretch spray together with your shoe stretcher, the result will be better, faster and longer lasting. But you need to be specific on what spray you’re using. FootMatters Professional Shoe & Boot Stretcher Spray is a universal shoe stretch spray that will work on any material.
But beware to use too much on suede. At the same time it will help stretching your shoes, it also nourishes and protects the leather. This is a top product on Amazon. Make sure to add it to your shoe care regiment.

Do Shoe Trees Stretch Shoes?

The quick answer is no, they don’t. Shoe trees can marginally stretch shoes, but usually only very slightly This will work for shoes that are just a touch too tight. If you’re looking to alter shoes more than just a pinch, a better product to use would be a shoe stretcher.
Shoe trees are designed to smooth out the lining of your shoes and to smooth out creases. This slow pressure stretches the leather of your shoe and makes it more comfortable. Stretchers come with inserts that can be placed in various spots on the toe form for specific spot stretching.

What Are the Best Shoe Stretchers?

1. Best Shoe Stretcher for shoes is Eachway Shoe Stretcher.
2. The best shoe stretcher for boots is HOUNDSBAY Boxer Heavy-Duty Professional Boot Stretcher.
3. The best boot shaft stretcher is FootFitter Professional Cast Aluminum Boot Calf Stretcher.
4. FootFitter Premium is the best One-Way Stretcher.
5. Best Wooden Shoe Stretcher is the HOUNDSBAY Beagle.
6. Best High Heel Shoe Stretcher are Formé Shoe Shapers.
7. Men’s shoe stretcher best pick is Topsome Shoe Stretcher Men.

How to Use a Shoe Stretcher?

1. Pick the right size of the Shoe stretchers. For men’s shoes you will need a larger size.
2. Place the plastic bunion plugs where you want an extra stretch.
3. Use a shoe stretch spray. This makes the material more flexible and will prevent you from damage the shoe.
4. Put the stretcher in the shoe by screwing in the heel part as much as you can. Use the big guiding wheel.
5. Use the guiding wheel to screw the heel part to the back and the front part to the front. Make sure it fits where you want the shoe to be stretched.
6. When the stretcher is in the correct position, begin extending it out in the front. Rearrange it if necessary, so that the correct areas are being stretched.
7. When you’re done, let the shoe rest for a day with the shoe stretcher in it. Spray again.

How to Stretch Pumps and Booties?

1. Wear thick socks or several pairs of socks and squeeze the shoes you want to stretch. Yes, it gets very crowded and uncomfortable for a while but it’s only a few minutes so it’s worth it. Remove the hair dryer and blow on the shoes for a few minutes to keep them warm. Feel free to stand up when you do this to make the shoes stretch in the right places. Wait to take off your shoes until they have cooled down. Take off your shoes and socks and try the shoes, now they have stretched!
2. Fill plastic bags with water. Put the bags in the shoes. Set the shoes in the freezer. After a while you’ll have ice in your shoes. The water has expanded and the ice stretches out the shoes. (Do not do this with shoes made of delicate material.)
3. Soak your socks and put on your shoes and walk around. Be sure to do it too long for some materials eg. Leather stretches fast!

Do rubber boots stretch?

In general, rubber boots are relatively easy to stretch and can usually be stretched by hand or with the help of a shoe stretcher or other stretching device. To stretch rubber boots, you can try the following methods:

1. Wear them with thick socks: Wearing thick socks when you wear your rubber boots can help to stretch the material and give your feet more room.
2. Use a shoe stretcher: A shoe stretcher is a tool specifically designed to stretch the length and width of shoes, and can be used on rubber boots as well. Simply insert the stretcher into the boot and turn the handle or knob to apply pressure to the inside of the boot.
3. Apply heat: Applying heat to the inside of the rubber boots can help to soften the material and make it more pliable, allowing you to stretch the boots more easily. You can use a hairdryer or heat gun to apply the heat, or you can fill a plastic bag with hot water and place it inside the boot. Just be careful not to apply too much heat, as this can damage the boots.
4. Stuff them with paper or towels: Stuffing the boots with paper or towels can help to stretch the material and give your feet more room. You can use this method in conjunction with heat for best results.

It is important to be patient when stretching rubber boots, as the material may take some time to stretch and conform to the shape of your foot. You may need to repeat the stretching process a few times to achieve the desired fit, and it is always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific boots.

Do Hunter boots stretch?

Hunter boots are a popular brand of rubber rain boots known for their durable, waterproof construction and comfortable fit. They are made of a flexible material called neoprene, which is designed to stretch and conform to the shape of the foot and leg. As a result, Hunter boots are typically able to stretch with the wearer’s calves, allowing for a comfortable and customizable fit.

However, it is important to note that while Hunter boots are able to stretch to a certain degree, they cannot be stretched indefinitely. Like any other type of shoe, Hunter boots can become too tight or lose their shape over time, particularly if they are worn frequently or subjected to extreme temperatures. If your Hunter boots are feeling too snug, there are a few methods you can try to help stretch them and improve the fit.

One option is to wear the boots with thick socks, which can help to stretch the material and give your feet more room. Another option is to use a shoe stretcher, which is a tool specifically designed to stretch the length and width of shoes.

It is important to note that heating Hunter boots in an attempt to stretch them is generally not recommended, as it can cause the material to become misshapen and lose its waterproof properties. Instead, it is best to use one of the other methods mentioned above, or to seek out a professional shoe stretching service if necessary.

How to stretch faux leather boots?

If your faux leather boots are feeling too tight or uncomfortable, one of the most effective methods for stretching them is to use a leather-stretching spray or conditioning oil. These products are specifically designed to soften and loosen the fabric, making it more pliable and easier to stretch. To use a leather-stretching spray or oil, simply apply a generous amount to the inside of the boots, being sure to cover the entire surface. Allow the product to soak in for a few minutes, then use your hands or a shoe stretcher to stretch the boots in different directions to help loosen the material.

It is important to be careful when using a leather-stretching spray or oil, as these products can potentially damage the boots if used excessively or applied too aggressively. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use caution when applying these products to your faux leather boots.

How does a shaft boot stretcher work?

To use a boot shaft stretcher, you first need to insert it into the shaft of the boot and adjust it to the desired width and length. Some boot shaft stretchers may have adjustable parts to allow for more precise stretching, and may also have a built-in heel expander or toe block to help stretch specific areas of the boot.

Once the boot shaft stretcher is properly positioned inside the boot, you can apply pressure to the handle or knob to stretch the material. The stretcher works by applying tension to the inside of the boot, which helps to loosen and stretch the material over time.

How do you stretch suede boots?

One of the easiest and most convenient methods for breaking in suede boots is to wear them with thick socks. By wearing thick socks, you can help to stretch the material and give your feet more room, making it easier to break in the boots and improve their fit. To use this method, simply put on your thickest pair of socks and then wear the boots as you normally would. You can walk around the house or neighborhood for a few hours to help break in the boots and get them feeling more comfortable.

It is important to be patient when breaking in suede boots, as the material may take some time to stretch and conform to the shape of your foot. You may need to repeat the process a few times to achieve the desired fit, and it is always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific boots. Additionally, be sure to take care of your suede boots to maintain their fit and quality. With a little bit of effort, you can break in your suede boots and enjoy a comfortable and stylish fit.

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