Many sneaker owners find that their shoes fit too loosely on their feet. This can lead to corns, feeling tired and tense. This situation often arises when ordering shoes online without the possibility of trying them on. You can also encounter the wrong size in a regular store if the fitting was in a hurry or the entire size range was not available for comparison. And sometimes buyers specifically buy shoes that are too big, for example, during big discounts or holiday sales. And even shoes that fit perfectly when worn constantly stretch a little, losing their original shape. Therefore, by the end of the season, sneakers can cause significant discomfort.
In any case, there is no need to get upset and hide your favorite pair in the closet. It’s better to figure out whether the problem can be solved without harming your wallet. There are several proven methods that allow you to make your shoes smaller on your own, including at home.
Heel pad
For demi-season and summer shoes, it is better to use silicone insoles or liners. They are sold as related products in shoe stores. Special insoles with high heels are also available. They reduce fullness on the instep, while the leg stops falling forward.
If you were unable to buy the necessary inserts, you can make insoles that reduce the size yourself. For this you will need:
- thick cardboard;
- pieces of fur from an old fur coat or felt from a felt boot;
- glue Moment.
Half insoles
Half insoles are functionally similar to inserts, but have a completely different shape. They are essentially insoles that take up half of the inside of the sole. Inserted into shoes, they occupy a small space, which is enough to prevent the foot from flying out of the shoe.
Half insoles can be leather, suede or silicone. Particularly popular are orthopedic models that not only reduce shoe size, but also maintain the correct position of the feet and prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system and flat feet.
In order not to make a mistake with the selection of half-insoles, it is better to go to the store with the pair of shoes that need to be adjusted and buy the device only after trying it on.
In-ear backs
For summer shoes, boots and sports sneakers, you can use inserts installed on the backs. Made from silicone and other wear-resistant materials, they are comfortable and durable. You can buy them at a shoe store. According to the instructions, the backs are installed in place of the shoe pocket. If necessary, you can secure them with glue and quickly change them when worn.
More on the topic: What to do if your shoes squeak when walking
Similar devices can be made at home. You will need some old leather, scissors and glue with a brush.
Work algorithm:
- Make a basic pattern on paper. This can be done by wrapping a sheet of paper around the heel of the shoe and making marks with a pencil.
- Check accuracy on the inside of the heel.
- To set the required thickness, cut out several parts according to the leather pattern. Each subsequent pair should be 2–3 mm smaller around the perimeter than the previous one.
- Apply glue to the cut parts one by one, from largest to smallest.
- Assemble each liner, checking the thickness regularly.
- Lubricate the leather liner and the inside of the heel of the shoes with a thin layer of glue and install them in place.
The liner should face the inside of the leg. This will protect your skin from excessive chafing and calluses.
You can use the shoes within a day. By varying the thickness of the liner, the shoe size can be made smaller by a whole size.
Ways to reduce shoe size
Additional insoles
Insert an additional insole into a large pair of shoes (and, if necessary, two), which should be selected depending on the type of shoe that needs to be adjusted in size: foam rubber, synthetic or wool. If you insert additional insoles into sneakers, you will also get a shock-absorbing effect, and lovers of ballet shoes will like this shoe accessory because the soles will be reliably protected from chafing.
Old-fashioned method
If the shoes suit you in volume, but are slightly too long, you can use the old proven method: push soft fabric or cotton wool into the toes of the shoes. Plain paper is also suitable for such purposes, but it must be very soft to prevent rubbing of your fingers.
Unfortunately, such a simple and reliable method is applicable only to closed-toe shoes. The size of fashionable summer models with cutouts above the big toe and open sandals cannot be adjusted in this way.
Compression due to temperature changes
Wet the inside of the shoes thoroughly, using a spray bottle of water for this purpose, and place them to dry close to the radiator or heater. Almost any shoe will shrink from such a sharp temperature change, but there is a high probability that the beautiful surface of the product will deteriorate. This “harmful” technique should be used only in cases where you are ready for completely unexpected results.
An even more risky option: put on shoes that have become too loose and put your feet in a basin filled with water. Sit like this for a short time, and then place the shoes on the radiator or dry them.
Silicone Tabs
In shoe store windows you can often find small silicone inserts designed for different types of shoes. Their shape and size should be chosen depending on the places in which they will be placed in the future. The direct purpose of such liners is to prevent chafing and slipping, but they can also be used in our case - to fill empty spaces, thereby reducing the size of the shoe.
Very often, models showing clothes on the catwalk suffer from discrepancies in shoe sizes. For them, big shoes are a real problem, since they have to walk on the catwalk in such shoes. It turns out that the models have their own secret: you just need to stick good quality double-sided tape on the inside of the shoe sole. This way, the shoes or sandals will stick to your bare feet and will not fly off while walking.
Method for reducing leather shoes
You can reduce the size of leather shoes and slightly narrow their toes by briefly holding them in a basin of hot water, after dissolving washing powder in it. Then the shoes must be dried in the sun or near heating devices. To make it easier for the skin to endure such an extreme procedure, you need to spray already dry and narrowed shoes with a special product and walk around the house in them a little. This will soften the leather a little and will fit perfectly on the leg.
We reduce summer shoes in the workshop
Shoes such as flip-flops, clogs and open-toed sandals should be reduced in size by a professional. In the workshop, the thin straps will be carefully separated from the sole part and slightly shortened, or perhaps simply sewn in closer to the middle. After such simple manipulations, shoes will fit much more tightly on your feet.
You should not try to implement a similar method at home. To sew thick soles, you need a special machine, which there is no point in buying, but a shoemaker always has it at hand. Of course, you can try at home not to sew, but to glue the straps of the top of the product to its sole, but even the best glue cannot guarantee the necessary durability and strength.
For some, this is just a way to protect their feet from the negative influence of the environment, for some it is a technique for self-expression, and for a number of consumers it is even an indicator of the status of the owner. And all this is about one thing - about shoes. Moreover, men and women of different ages have at least once been faced with the fact that the purchase of a beautiful pair has already been made, but it is impossible to wear: the size is too large. So what should we do? Return it to the store (and if you bought it second-hand, what then?), give it to a friend (and be jealous, imagining yourself in his place) or try to deal with the problem at home? Let's choose the latter and see if we can reduce the volume and size. Moreover, sometimes shoes simply wear out and become too big, so the first two solutions certainly won’t work.
How to reduce your boot size
Genuine leather tends to stretch when exposed to moisture. Don't throw away boots if they are stretched. You can try to “plant” natural material. It is known that when skin dries, it shrinks. This quality is worth taking advantage of to reduce the size.
For this operation you will need a household hair dryer, a paraffin candle, a piece of soft cloth and old newspapers.
Procedure:
- Shape the shoes by stuffing them with crumpled newspapers, not too tightly.
- Rub the toe of the boot or shoe generously with dry paraffin.
- Heat with a hairdryer evenly until the paraffin is completely absorbed.
- Remove excess paraffin with a cloth.
- Allow the boot to cool.
- Try it on. If necessary, you can repeat the process several times.
It is important to ensure that the skin tightens evenly.
For natural suede and nubuck, you cannot use paraffin or any other oily liquids.
You can also reduce the size of shoes made of natural suede by using a hairdryer. The sides of the product must be moistened with water and heated until completely dry.
To avoid burns, it is not recommended to heat shoes worn on your feet.
Right 14 days
You can return new shoes that are the wrong size within 2 weeks from the date of purchase
According to current legislation, you can return shoes that do not fit in size or for other reasons within 14 days from the date of purchase. But the product must meet a number of parameters:
- be without signs of being worn outdoors or indoors;
- have a marketable appearance (that is, without creases, abrasions, etc.);
- be in the original configuration (that is, in a box, with heels, insoles, etc., which was available at the time of purchase).
To properly process a return (or exchange, if possible), the buyer must provide a cash receipt (or a copy thereof), a warranty card for the shoes and a passport.
What to do if leather shoes are too big?
The same as in the case of non-leather (sports, work, rubber). It just so happens that the comfort of our feet depends more on the appropriate size and cut than on the shoe material.
What to do if the shoes are big in the heels?
This question usually arises when you get shoes with too high an instep (even tightening the laces tightly does not help).
Here can help:
- soft insert in front;
- insert under the lacing or under the tongue of the boot.
In the first case, the toes will rest, the foot will move back, and the shoes will fit. In the second, the top of the shoe will adhere more tightly to the instep of the foot so that the foot is securely and comfortably fixed inside the shoe.
The insert can be made from fairly thick fabric, leather or felt, including by using several layers. You can secure it with laces, that is, for each half-pair, make two things with holes for lacing. If there is only one insert (under the tongue), it is fixed with glue.
The second option is to sew Velcro to the shoe tongue. In general, if the shoes are large in the heels, then the instep height needs to be adjusted.
Tips and tricks
Before choosing shoes, you need to stand on paper and trace your feet. The cut out footprints must fit into the boots and shoes you are purchasing and not curl at the edges. Relieves the load on the legs and prevents the curvature of the joints with a deep sock, the wide part of which is located at the level of the big toe. When buying shoes, you need to check the condition of the inside, there should be no seams on it, and the insoles should be easy to remove.
Shoes or boots with hard soles last longer and reduce the load on the foot when walking. When buying shoes, it is advisable to walk around the store in them and sit. If the foot turns red, you should look for a different model or size. Tights or stockings are worn under closed shoes, but not with sandals. Patent leather shoes can only be made smaller by using insoles or overlays. Such products cannot be heated with steam or water.
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Useful video tips
Video: Reducing the internal volume of shoes
You can reduce your shoe size at home, but only if you act thoughtfully and consistently. The easiest and most reliable way is to go to a shoe store for special silicone inserts. These can be pads under the heel or under the toe. You will get many more benefits from these devices, for example, your feet will not slip, your shoes will stop rubbing. If you are not a supporter of additional insoles or inserts, then when choosing a way to narrow your shoes, you need to start from the material from which the pair is made.
Nowadays, many people order sneakers or boots online, since on the manufacturer’s website you can buy a suitable model and a high-quality product at a cheaper price. However, the sizes do not always match, and you don’t want to send back the shoes you like, and shipping is not cheap. There are different ways to stretch both shoes and sneakers, but sometimes the question of how to reduce the size of shoes becomes relevant.
Useful tips
If for some reason the pair could not be taken to the workshop or the shoemaker did not take up the work, then recommendations for reducing shoes at home will help. First, you need to understand exactly what parameters it is not suitable for, length, width or height, and only then get to work. You also need to consider what material it is made of.
How to reduce your boot size
When exposed to moisture, the skin can stretch. Even the size of the boots you buy can become too big after a while. As the leather dries, it tightens, this property will help reduce the size and fullness of the boots. You can remove worn-out shoes at home using a paraffin candle and a hairdryer; as consumables you will need a piece of soft material and paper.
Algorithm of actions:
- The boots need to be shaped; to do this, they are stuffed with newspaper or paper.
- Rub socks with paraffin.
- Turn on the hairdryer and heat until the paraffin is completely absorbed.
- Remove wax residues with a cloth.
- After cooling, try on the boots; if there is a need to shrink them further, you need to repeat the procedure.
How to make suede shoes smaller
Suede, like leather, contracts when exposed to temperatures, but the results can be unpredictable. It is possible that a pair of shoes will lose their beauty. Therefore, to narrow or reduce the size of suede shoes, it is better to contact a specialist. But you can try to seat them yourself. To do this, one by one, the products need to be held over steam, and then placed in the freezer. In the case of patent leather shoes or boots, it is also better to contact a specialist.
How to reduce the size of sneakers or sneakers
In sports shoes, an additional insole is most often placed and laced tightly; if this does not help, cotton wool or soft fabric is placed in the sock. Fabric products can be washed in water at a temperature of 60-90 degrees, but you need to take into account the quality of the fabric, it can fade. When washed, the fabric shrinks a little, but when worn, the sneakers will regain their original shape.
How to reduce your sandal size
Downsizing summer leather shoes is a little more difficult. After all, it is basically open-type and the inserts will attract attention. To make your sandals less worn out, you can shorten the straps. In the case of expensive shoes, it is better to contact a qualified specialist, but many prefer to deal with the problem themselves.
To reduce the length of the straps you will need:
- sharpened scissors;
- screwdriver;
- high-quality glue;
- brush;
- high power hair dryer;
- sandpaper;
Regular straps without patterns or decorations are cut on one side. If they have any decorative elements, the length is reduced on both sides. First, use a screwdriver to separate the strap from the sole and insole. Use sandpaper to remove glue from the sole and straps. Measure out the required length, and use a brush to apply a small amount of glue to the places where the sole and straps are glued. Wait 20 minutes and apply another layer of glue. Afterwards, use a hairdryer to heat the surfaces on which the glue is applied and install the straps in place, pressing them tightly.
On a note!
The method is suitable for sandals made of any materials.
How to narrow the tops of boots
Many people are faced with the problem of wide tops on boots, even if the size is just right. In this case, you can take the boots to a professional, or sew stretch marks on the inside. If you have a sewing machine and sewing skills in the house, then you can simply stitch up the fold located at the back. If the boots are leather, you can wet the tops and then dry them with a hairdryer.
Water and steam
Grandmother's cardinal method, which is effective and at the same time dangerous, is soaking and then drying suede shoes.
The method is quite simple: first you need to wet a pair of shoes with cold water from a spray bottle or using a damp cloth, then send them to dry on a radiator, place them near a heater, or use a hairdryer. From such an impact, the suede is deformed and after drying it will noticeably shrink.
A side effect is a change in the appearance of the suede. Shoes may become less rich, lose their appeal, and become dull. To return it to not the same, but at least some elegance, after drying, you should wipe the outside of the shoes with a cotton pad soaked in glycerin.
The problem of breaking in suede shoes exists and can be solved in fairly simple ways, without leaving home. If these methods do not help, you should contact a repair shop, where professionals will reduce the size of your shoes without causing any harm to them. And although this method will cost a lot of money, you can be sure that the shoes will remain as beautiful as ever.
How to sew boots at home
How to sew boots into the top
Is it possible to sew boots at home?
How to sew boots at home 14 simple and effective ways to reduce shoe size
Spray stretcher for shoes made of patent leather If your shoes are too long, it’s worth remembering an old but effective method. When putting on socks, they are filled with soft napkins, medical cotton wool or very thin paper, but of course for sandals or open shoes, this option is unacceptable.
How to sew boots at home
