Boots a little too tight

KaiserSose · Jan 3, 2009

My new Paul Smith boots fit perfectly everywhere except on the toes where my pinky toe gets squeezed a little bit. It isn't unbearable, but I would love if they loosened up a little there.. Will they naturally loosen up over time? Should I invest in boot trees? Is there another method to widen them a little bit?

I love these boots and finding them in another size is impossible (plus I don't think that would help as the length is perfect). Also returning them would be costly as I bought them from England and was hit by high shipping / importer tax.

IDirector · Jan 3, 2009

Tough it out friend. Tough it out.

fongstar · Jan 3, 2009

Take them to your local shoe repair shop - they can stretch your boots for a cheap cost.

ynot · Jan 13, 2009

I agree with fongstar. Stretching in width is possible. But not so much in length.
I would get boot trees as well. Not only will it help, it's obviously good for your boots.
Paul Smith shoes seem to run long and narrow...

pandamonium · Sep 20, 2009

I'm having the exact same issue with my new Indy boots: fits perfect except for a toe box that's a little tight. Will the toe box spread a little as they break in, or do I need to take them to a cobbler?

Marcus Brody · Sep 20, 2009

You can buy boot stretchers online that should allow you to stretch the toe box a bit. Just get the stretcher and some fluid and you're good to go. It should run your around $30 bucks (well I'm not sure actually for boot stretchers, I only have a shoe stretcher). A cobbler can do the same thing for cheap if you don't want to buy a boot stretcher for one pair of shoes but if you have a lot, it might be a good investment for the future.

ThinkDerm · Sep 20, 2009

Guys - something I've found helps me enormously - invest in thinner socks. All socks are not the same thickness, and thinner/thicker socks can actually make the difference in half a shoe size! (this makes tremendous difference in width (pinky toe) i've found more than length.)

KitAkira · Sep 20, 2009

Originally Posted by ynot

I agree with fongstar. Stretching in width is possible. But not so much in length. I would get boot trees as well. Not only will it help, it's obviously good for your boots. Paul Smith shoes seem to run long and narrow...
This is not true, they're quite wide actually And the leather will stretch out naturally with wear, but shoe trees should be used regardless

hth2002 · Sep 20, 2009

Originally Posted by pandamonium

I'm having the exact same issue with my new Indy boots: fits perfect except for a toe box that's a little tight. Will the toe box spread a little as they break in, or do I need to take them to a cobbler?

The toe box doesn't stretch much, because there is less pressure. The toes get squeezed together or are flexed. The stretching is more likely to happen before your toes.

Sock size and time of day also makes a difference. Be sure to use the thickest socks you plan on using with the boots. If you are planning on using this for cold weather, be sure to use your thick winter socks for fitting. Feet are larger in the evening from running around all day.

I would take them to a good cobbler to stretch the the toebox.

pandamonium · Sep 20, 2009

Originally Posted by hth2002

The toe box doesn't stretch much, because there is less pressure. The toes get squeezed together or are flexed. The stretching is more likely to happen before your toes.

Sock size and time of day also makes a difference. Be sure to use the thickest socks you plan on using with the boots. If you are planning on using this for cold weather, be sure to use your thick winter socks for fitting. Feet are larger in the evening from running around all day.

I would take them to a good cobbler to stretch the the toebox.

Thanks for the tip. Time to find a cobbler in DC!

srivats · Sep 20, 2009

Originally Posted by ThinkDerm

Guys - something I've found helps me enormously - invest in thinner socks. All socks are not the same thickness, and thinner/thicker socks can actually make the difference in half a shoe size! (this makes tremendous difference in width (pinky toe) i've found more than length.)

This is abslotely true.

pandamonium · Sep 22, 2009

I dropped off my Indy boots at Sky Valet today -- they'll be ready Saturday. I don't know why people complain about this place: the guy at the front has always been very nice the times I've been there.

Boots a little too tight

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