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SHOE STRETCHERS

Definition:  Shoe stretchers come in whole shoe and Ball and Ring stretchers for spot stretching.  They should be used to stretch shoes that otherwise fit and where going to a wider width or length creates more sizing problems.

The whole shoe stretchers have small metal pieces that attach to it and can be moved around to stretch the most common bunion and hammer toe spots.  The placement of these pieces is generic – they may or may be in the specific location of a person’s problem area.

The Ball and Ring Stretcher will stretch specific spots on a shoe.  To isolate the spot, the customer stands in the shoe.  The spot is located, marked with a pencil and stretched.

A mixture of water and rubbing alcohol is used before stretching.  This mixture softens leather and prevents it from returning to its original form, or shrinking, after stretching.  It comes in spray cans and bulk form for pouring.

Benefits:  When a person says there is rubbing or tightness in just one or two areas of a shoe, the shoe is a candidate for stretching.  Many people have hammertoes and corns on top of their toes or the width of their foot at the 1^st or 5^th metatarsals is just enough to throw them out of a shoe that otherwise fits.  Stretching is perfect, alleviating the painful spots and making the shoe wearable.

Text:  Copyright 2005 Carole Romig   Image:  Both - Frankford Leather Catalog 2005