How to Shrink Leather Shoes: 5 Best Ways to Fit Your Shoe

Last updated on July 29th, 2024 at 01:36 pm

There are many types of shoes in the world. Among them, leather shoes will have to be used with little care. Some people’s concern is when they buy new shoes, they should be a little bigger or fitter than the actual size, such that they can be used for 2 to 3 years.

According to your feet size, you buy shoes but at the same time, every brand has different foot size criteria. For example, if you have your foot size 9.5(US) or 43(UK) then it cannot be said that you will get the right fit by buying a shoe of the same size.

Shrinking is a method in which we use the water-absorbing property of leather. Simply apply a little bit of water and then by any hot medium like sunlight, iron, or hair dryer we bring the shoe back to the normal size. In this way, the shoe shrinks a little.

So, our goal is how to shrink leather shoes so that it fits perfectly. Whatever process I will tell here is very easy, so there is no need to worry. You can do it yourself without going to the cobbler.

At the time of the process, it should be kept in mind that shoes should not be any harm. Otherwise, you will make a mistake in the affair of reducing the size of the shoes.

Also, there is a limitation that you can shrink the shoes to an extent. Like if you wear a shoe of size 8.5(US) or 42(UK) then size 9(US) or 43(UK) will never fit you. So, never try to shrink it when it is one size smaller.

So let’s know how to do the process with very easy steps and it works.

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How to Shrink Leather Shoes

1. Shrink by Socks

If your shoes are loose, you have to think about how you have to reduce the gap between your foot and shoes.

• You have to wear socks. The more socks you wear, the more area you will cover inside.
• Wearing one pair of socks may not work. Because due to the free space inside you may feel more sweaty and uncomfortable.
• Two full socks will have to be worn then it works. This process is easy to do but difficult in the summer season. You can use it very well in the winter season.
• Not ready to wear two socks at a time? Then you can wrap your feet with one layer of thin cloth and then wear a pair of socks.

It is such a Process that some people may like it and others may not. It’s not the best solution for all. So you can see further solutions for better results.

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2. Shrink by Tissue Paper

If your shoes are a bit longer, then the toe cap may be a little loose when you wear the shoe. I am talking about the toe cap loose, not the whole shoe, your toe fingers, and toe cap may not fit, a little bit loose. Then how to fit it lets know

• You have to use tissue paper to apply in the toe cap or a thick foam sheet has to be folded and glued on the toe cap bottom by applying adhesive glue or double-sided adhesive tape.
• After that, the shoe will fit. This process may not be useful for daily work, but for going to some parties and urgent work, it works like a charm. Try it at your home, works definitely.

You May Also Read: How to Remove Foot Odor From Leather Shoes

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3. Shrink by Insole

This is a way that will work for you in the long run.

• Your shoe already has an insole but still, it is a little bit loose.
• Put another insole and fix it with the existing insole by adhesive.
• You see for yourself how thicker and better fit you feel after wearing the shoes, By doing this, you must have felt that your shoe has completely shrunk.

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4. Heel Pads or Orthotics Process

Before processing it, One thing to note is that your legs and feet should feel good when you shrink any shoe when you are using, when you are walking, there should be no pain. Otherwise, it will be fitting but the heel counter will not get support, and the toe fingers will feel tight from the corner, so do it carefully. This process will work for both males and females.

When you wear shoes, you need two supports mainly,

• One is a toe cap means front pointy side
• Second, the heel counter means the back side(ankle) behind which you get support from the ankle.
• If it has given good support to the front side (Toe) and backside (Ankle), then you will be able to shrink easily.
• So use a thick cork foam sheet for the front side, and you can also use a cork foam sheet for the back side(ankle), to hold it well.
• Cut the cork foam sheet according to your toe size.
• On the other hand, you can use a heel pad to hold the back side well, If you don’t like to use a cork foam sheet.
• The foam sheet and heel pad will be found in almost every online and offline store.

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5. Frizzle Process

This is a different step from all the steps mentioned so far. First, wear the shoes, then identify where it is getting loose. Then apply some water on the place where it is getting loose (Might be loose in the Toe cap or Heel counter side), Tiny water has to be poured on the shoes, you can sprinkle with a spray bottle or by hand.

It is not that the leather shoes have to be immersed in the water. Do not do this, otherwise, the whole shoe will get damaged. Because Leather shoes are not waterproof but they are water-absorbent to an extent.

Using tiny water doesn’t affect anything to leather shoes. you have to buy a wooden shoe shaper, according to the size of the shoes, a Wet towel, Hand gloves, and Electric iron.

• First, the wooden shoe shaper is to be inserted inside the shoe, by inserting it the shape of the shoe will be maintained and it will be easy to process.
• The towel that was there has to be wet, Squeeze the wet towel a little, then apply it to the shoe.
• Wear hand gloves, now carefully iron first the border of the shoe by connecting it with electricity like you normally press your shirts.
• Do frizzle slowly, it is very easy to do by giving a little pressure but you have to do it carefully, While doing this process, you should not take off your hand gloves because it will be very hot and smoke will also be coming out, now that wet towel has to be soaked in water one more time and apply on the shoe with a little squeeze.
• After ironing the shoe border, you have to iron the top a little bit like giving good pressure to the vamp, toe box, backstay, and quarter, repeat the same process 5 to 6 times, then dry the shoe and apply leather conditioner on it.
• If you do not have a leather conditioner, you can use any oil. So while doing this process, your must have become shoe shrunk and your problem will also be solved.
• If you are doing it the first time and not ready to use an iron then, I will suggest instead of an iron you can use a hair dryer also. But in this way, it will take more time.

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Final Thoughts on How to Shrink Leather Shoes

The best way to avoid all these problems is when you purchase a shoe from an offline store then always double check it by wearing and if you are buying it online then make sure there is a return or replacement policy available. If you missed all then I am sure this article will help you.

When the shoe starts getting loose and it is difficult to walk wearing it, then we need to shrink the shoe. Cobblers may fix the problem very soon but from my experience what I learned is they adopt some wrong methods due to which your shoe can get damaged very quickly.

Whatever steps I told you all are tested by me and got the best results.

The Frizzle process is risky but in this way when you shrink your shoe you do not need to worry about this problem again. Make sure to apply a little water and first heat the iron a little then disconnect it and use it on the shoe, which reduces the risk of damage.

For better clarity about how to shrink leather shoes, you can ask your doubts in the comment section we will answer them.

Thanks for reading this……………..

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FAQ on How to Shrink Leather Shoes