Widening shoes with a heat gun?

[Veloo]

Anyone ever successfully attempt to widen their synthetic upper shoes with a shoe expander and a heat gun?

[cdn_bacon]

don't think it would pose a problem.

[GScot]

I have a pair of Diadoras that were a bit snug on my right foot just along the outside toes. The material has a fabric backing but I figured it would stretch/deform with a little heat. I put on a thin wool cycling sock and a thick wool boot sock and warmed the area with a heat gun on low. I had to get it hot enough that I could barely touch it with my bare hand but it changed shape just enough to fix the problem. I was really conservative with the heat and not positive the extra sock didn't do most of the work along with some aggressive kicking and stomping.

[saf-t]

Originally Posted by Veloo

Anyone ever successfully attempt to widen their synthetic upper shoes with a shoe expander and a heat gun?

Yes, in one spot to keep my little toe happy.

Just go sloooooooow.

[Tony]

A shoe expander and alcohol is safer than using a heat gun.

[Veloo]

Alcohol? never woulda thunk it.

I'm assuming you don't mean put in the expander and enjoy a bottle of Shiraz while I wait.

[adub]

Big arse bunions cause me to do this all the time with various footwear, mostly good results.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by Tony

A shoe expander and alcohol is safer than using a heat gun.

I thought that worked with leather and not synthetic materials.

[mhespenheide]

Originally Posted by Tony

A shoe expander and alcohol is safer than using a heat gun.

Can you expound on this, or point me towards a reference? I have some hiking boots that seem to have shrunk in the years I've owned them...

[ultraman6970]

Always you can use hair dryer.

[Tony]

I have used alcohol and a shoe expander for both synthetic and leather materials with good results. I have used clamps and alcohol to stretch out tight bibs straps that were too small.

[Veloo]

Do you soak/ drench the area in alcohol or just apply with something like a rag or cotton ball?
Did you see any premature deterioration of the upper in the stretched area?

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

Can you expound on this, or point me towards a reference? I have some hiking boots that seem to have shrunk in the years I've owned them...

I dropped a pair of shoes off at the cobbler a block from my office last week. Picked them up two days later. $6.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by Veloo

Do you soak/ drench the area in alcohol or just apply with something like a rag or cotton ball?
Did you see any premature deterioration of the upper in the stretched area?

What I've done in the past was soak the inside of the shoe and then right away use a shoe expander.

Below is some info. I found on the web.

"Wet a wad of cotton or a cotton ball/pad with rubbing alcohol. Then press it onto the desired, tight area of the shoe, transferring the liquid. Then, immediately put on the shoes & walk around. It’s important to do this fast, as rubbing alcohol dries quickly and it will only act as a strong shoe stretcher when it is wet.
For a shoe that is too tight all over, put on a pair of socks. The tighter your shoes, the thicker the socks! Soak the socks thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. Then, put your shoes on and walk around, stretching any particularly tight area with your foot, until the alcohol has evaporated & the socks are dry."