So, you ordered a new pair of hiking boots for the next hike you’re going on. But, when you tried them on, they didn’t fit. They seem to be too tight and cause foot aches.
Or they appeared to be fit, and you decided to go for a walk where the toe box felt tighter. No need to worry because you can stretch the hiking boots and make them fit if they aren’t too narrow. Now, you must be thinking about how to stretch the toe box of hiking boots?
Stretching of the hiking boots depends on the fabric material of which the hiking boots are built. Above all the other materials, Leather is considered best for serious hikers.
No doubt, Leather is waterproof and more durable than synthetic nylon, but it has some drawbacks. Leather doesn’t deform quickly. Hence, it will appear tighter on the toes when you first wear them. Eventually, they will lose their shape with regular use to some extent.
There can be some reasons why the toe box of the hiking shoes appears tighter. One reason may be the size difference of your feet. Some people have a 2-3 inches difference between their right and left toe, which leads to the imperfect size of the shoe and hence the tight toe box. Other reasons can be the wrong shoe size or accidentally ordering the wrong one from online shopping.
How to stretch the toe box of hiking boots? Ultimate Guide
We understand that you are in pain and have curated some tricks and tools in our guide to help you solve the question that is how to stretch the toe box of hiking boots:
Ways To Stretch The Toe Box Of Hiking Boots
Here are some DIY techniques that can help you lose the toe box and fit hiking boots:
Freezing Water Method
Implementing the physics concept and laws of contraction and expansion, we can alter any object to any size and shape.
Our first technique is using the freezing water to stretch the toe box. Follow the steps below:
- Step1: In a bag or container, pour some water and place the bag in the toe box.
- Step2: When water freezes to ice, the toe box will stretch.
- Step 3: Put the boots on and check if the problem has been solved.
The freezing water method is worth trying with synthetics. However, it is not efficient for the leather material.
Wearing Thick Socks
Another trick that may help is using thick socks to cause the toe box to stretch. This method is effective, and there are two ways to apply this DIY to your hiking boots:
- Method 1: Soak the socks in hot water and put the hiking boots on. The socks will cause the foot to slip inside the boot and stretch out the toe box.
- Method 2: Put the socks on and wear the hiking boots. Turn on the blow dryer, and blow heat to the shoes. It will help stretch the toe box and loosen up the hiking boots.
Keeping the Silica Gel Pack Inside Boots
Ever wondered why there is a silica gel pack in the hiking boots? Well, the reason is that the gel is moisture absorbent. If you’re a serious hiker and often run on rainy or muddy trails, there are higher chances that your shoes will get dirtier and wetter.
You must remember to not remove the packs out of your hiking boots. The silica gel removes moisture from the boots, and if it is left out of the boots, they may get tighter and cause other problems.
Boot Stretcher Sprays
Many companies are now offering liquid serums and sprays that help loosen the hiking boots. You need to spray in the affected area and then put on the shoes. Users claim that they have seen significant changes in their boots and felt comfortable afterwards.
Stretching Tools
There are many tools used to stretch shoes. Their usage depends upon the size of the boots and how much they need to be stretched.
How to stretch the toe box of the hiking boots? Will the shoe stretcher help?. We have listed the kinds of shoe stretchers below, and you can try this method while reading the article side by side:
First comes the regular shoe stretcher. The stretchers can be utilized in any shoe. It is an easy-to-carry tool for the hikers, and they tend to take it along them during long hiking journeys. Easily operated by the knob, place the stretcher inside the shoe and stretch the affected area.
The second one comes with a two-way operation; it increases the length and width of hiking boots whenever needed. We have formulated the steps to help you understand the usage of these shoe stretchers:
- Step 1: Put the shoe stretcher inside the hiking boot and leave them for a few hours.
- Step 2: Be 100% sure about placing the stretcher completely inside the shoe such that it touches the tip of the boot.
- Step 3: rotate the knob in the clockwise direction. Keep rotating until the stretcher fits in properly.
Wearing The Boots At Home
If you’re trying to go for the hassle-free DIY that saves you from doing so much effort, try wearing the boots at home. If the feet start to hurt, remove the shoes for a while and later put them on again. Repeating this process will help you stretch the boots in less time.
Leather Oiling Solution
You can also use a leather oil solution to expand the toe box of the hiking boots. Put the oil on the affected area and leave it for a few hours. Ensure that the boots are cleaned properly and are not wet or have any stains on them. Using oils or sprays will also help in the maintenance of the boots and will add shine and luster to the boot’s surface.
Conclusion
We have seen people carrying their favorite pair of hiking boots for even forty years. The crucial part of buying hiking boots is to find the correct size and if they provide comfort and durability.
However, if you find yourself stuck where you need to expand the boots, then our listed hacks will do wonders. Stretching the hiking boots may result in better-fitted boots.
Shoe experts and business owners agree that hiking boots can be stretched by the tips and tricks as much as you need. While they also rank some of the methods to be better than the others.
One of the worst hacks we have heard about is spraying alcohol directly on the hiking boots. It is the most effective method, but it also lightens the color of the Leather or other synthetic boot material and causes the boot to speed up the aging system.
With the tricks that we have listed in our article on how to stretch the toe box of hiking boots, you will get the results in no time and protect your shoes from wear and tear of alcohol and other harmful chemicals.
Remember to shower your hiking boots with love and care because, like the dogs, these boots are the loyal companions of your hiking journey. The hiking boots must be taken care of by you from the hazardous chemicals and rough terrains.