Canvas shoes are known for being comfortable, affordable, and versatile. However, newly purchased canvas shoes are generally quite narrow in the toe. Therefore, it takes patience and effort to stretch it. You can stretch canvas shoes using heat, put newspaper and socks in them, wear them at home, use a shoe stretcher, or take them to a professional cobbler. If one of these methods does not give maximum results, try another method until the shoes are comfortable to wear.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Stretching Canvas Shoes Using Heat
Step 1. Put the canvas shoes in the microwave
Place the canvas shoes in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. The heat generated by the microwave will make the canvas shoes more flexible when worn.
- Make sure there are no metal parts of the shoe before placing it in the microwave. Also make sure the eyelets are not made of metal.
- Remove the canvas shoes from the microwave and put them on while they are still warm. Walk in canvas shoes for a few minutes.
- After a few minutes, the canvas shoes will cool. Take off your shoes and put them back in the microwave for another 20 seconds. After that, put on canvas shoes again. The shoes will stretch and be looser on the feet.
Step 2. Heat the shoes using a hairdryer while wearing socks
The heat generated by the hairdryer will flex the canvas, making it easier to stretch. Wear thick socks and canvas shoes to stretch. After that, heat the surface of the canvas shoes using a hairdryer for 20-30 seconds.
- Use a hairdryer about a few decimeters from your feet. This is done so that your skin does not burn.
- Wear canvas shoes without wearing socks. Canvas shoes will feel looser.
Step 3. Use steam to flex the shoe canvas
The steam will flex the shoe's canvas so that it is more comfortable and can resemble the shape of your foot. Bring a kettle of water to a boil and then place the canvas shoes over the escaping steam for 3-5 minutes. Be careful because your skin can burn.
Put on canvas shoes and stretch your legs until the canvas loosens up and is more comfortable on the feet
Method 2 of 3: Stuffing Canvas Shoes to Stretch It
Step 1. Fill the shoes with a plastic bag filled with water and put them in the refrigerator
When water turns to ice, it expands inside the shoe and stretches the canvas. Fill two small plastic bags with water and seal tightly. Place the plastic bag inside the shoe so that it covers the entire shoe. After that, put the shoes in the closet and leave it for one night.
Take your shoes out of the fridge and try them on. Repeat this process if necessary
Step 2. Insert the newspaper into the shoe to stretch it
You can stretch the front of a canvas shoe and make it more comfortable to wear by inserting a kneaded newspaper inside.
Allow the newspaper to clog the shoe overnight to allow the canvas to stretch. Take out the newspaper in the morning. Repeat this process if the shoe is still too tight
Step 3. Insert the rounded sock into the shoe to stretch it
Just like using newspaper, socks can also be used to stuff the inside of the shoe and stretch it. Let the socks clog the shoes for one night.
Make sure you press the sock against the front of the shoe as tightly as possible. This is done so that the shoe canvas can stretch to the maximum when left for one night
Method 3 of 3: Stretching Shoes Manually or Professionally
Step 1. Wear canvas shoes indoors
By wearing your new canvas shoes at home, they will become looser when you are active or sitting.
- Put on shoes in the morning. Put on thick socks and canvas shoes and do your daily activities like washing clothes, washing dishes, or watching TV.
- Stretch your legs when wearing canvas shoes to make them more stretchy and loose.
Step 2. Use a ball and ring stretcher
By using this tool, the results will be immediately visible. This stretcher can be left in the shoe for one night.
- Decide which part of the canvas shoe you want to stretch. After that, place the ball inside the shoe, and the ring outside.
- Squeeze the stretch sleeve over the part of the shoe you want to stretch. By doing this, you can see the results in real time. However, if necessary, you can leave the device in the shoe for one night. This is done to ensure the shoes are really comfortable when worn.
Step 3. Use a bidirectional stretcher to stretch the entire shoe
If the shoe is tight enough to fit, you can use a two-way stretcher to widen and lengthen the entire shoe.
- Shoe stretchers generally have a bunion guard that can be used to help stretch out really narrow areas of the shoe.
- Spray shoe stretcher before using this tool.
- Once the stretcher has soaked into the canvas, turn the dial of the stretcher a full turn every 8 hours. The stretcher can be left on overnight.
Step 4. Take the canvas shoes to a professional cobbler
Professional cobblers can use a shoe stretcher to widen or lengthen your canvas shoes.
