How to Stretch the Calves of Leather Boots

Co-authored by Moe Draper

Last Updated: February 18, 2020 References

Instead of donating or throwing away a nice pair of leather boots that are too tight, try instead to stretch out the calves to make them fit more comfortably. Use boot-calf stretchers for a hands-off approach, or try spraying them with a solution of rubbing alcohol and water for a slightly faster fix. You’ll hopefully be able to stretch the calves by a full 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) with time!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Boot-Calf Stretcher

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1
Purchase boot stretchers made specifically for the calves of boots. Visit a local shoe store or browse online to find a pair of stretchers with good reviews. Plan to spend about $20 for plastic stretchers or closer to $40 for wooden ones.^{[1]
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- Most stretchers come in pairs of 2. If you’re buying ones sold individually, consider buying 2. That way, you won’t have to wait 12 hours for the first boot to finish stretching before you can move on to the second one.
- Wooden stretchers are more durable, but plastic ones work just as well and usually take up less storage space.
- Pay attention to the length of the stretcher compared to the length of your boots and make sure to purchase stretchers that are long enough.
Tip: If the entire boot is too tight, try a combined stretcher. It’ll stretch both the calves and the length or width of the boot itself.
2
Slide the unexpanded calf stretchers into each boot. Position the stretchers so that the narrower end goes into the boot first. Push the calf stretchers down until they are just past the ankle into the actual body of the boot. This ensures the entire calf will get stretched evenly.^{[2]
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- Keeping the stretchers unexpanded at this stage helps you get them into the boots completely.
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3
Twist the handle to expand the stretchers until the leather is pulled taut. As you twist the handle, you’ll notice the leather getting tighter and tighter as the stretchers push against the material. Keep twisting until you can visibly see the leather straining against the stretchers.^{[3]
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- With time, you should be able to expand the calves of your leather boots by about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm).
Stretching Boots with Zippers: If your leather boots zip up, pay close attention to the zipper when you expand the stretchers. If the stitching around the zipper looks like it is fraying or pulling apart, you may cause irreversible damage by stretching them yourself. Take them to a cobbler instead.
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Let the stretchers do their work for about 12 hours. Stretching leather takes some time, so start the process well before you’ll need to wear your boots. It won’t hurt the boots if you leave the stretchers in for longer than 12 hours.^{[4]
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- If you stretch the boots for just a few hours, the leather will most likely shrink back down to its original size.
5
Repeat the stretching process until you’ve achieved the desired fit. After the initial 12 hours have passed, remove the stretchers and try on your boots. If they’re still a little too tight, stretch them again for an additional 12 hours, this time expanding the stretchers just a little bit further.^{[5]
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- If you find your boots are still too tight after 2-3 sessions, you could try taking them to a cobbler to see if they can expand them a bit further.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Spraying the Boots with Water and Alcohol

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1
Mix 1 cup (240 mL) each of water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. The rubbing alcohol loosens the leather, which allows it to expand and stretch. Diluting the rubbing alcohol with water keeps it from evaporating too quickly.^{[6]
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- You could also purchase a leather-stretching spray from a shoe store or online for similar results. Most products are in the $10-$20 range.
2
Spray the inside of the boot calves until they’re saturated with the mix. Wipe away any spray that ends up on the outside of the boots; the rubbing alcohol could potentially discolor the leather. Try flipping the boots upside down if you’re having a hard time getting the bottom half of the calves wet.^{[7]
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- If needed, make more of the alcohol and water solution.
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Put on the boots and wear them for about 30 minutes until they dry. After you’ve sprayed the insides, put the boots on immediately. This should help the leather conform to the exact size of your calves as they dry.^{[8]
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- If you hate the idea of wearing wet boots, use boot-calf stretchers in conjunction with the spray instead.
Stretching Zip-Up Leather Boots: If you can’t get the boots zipped all the way up, zip them as far as you can. After five minutes, check to see if you can tug the zipper up a little farther. Keep doing this every five minutes while the boots are drying.
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Rub a leather-conditioning cream on the exterior of your boots. The application of water to your boots increases the risk that they could dry out and crack. If you rub the exterior with a conditioning cream, it’ll help keep the leather supple.^{[9]
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- You can apply the conditioning cream while you’re wearing the drying boots, or you could wait until you’ve taken them off again. The conditioning cream will work either way.
5
Repeat the process 2-3 more times until the calves fit comfortably. Respray the inside of the boots with the water and rubbing alcohol solution, wear the boots until they dry, and continue to apply conditioning cream each time. It may take several sessions for the calves to fully stretch to the size you want.
- If after 2-3 attempts the calves are still too small, consider taking the boots to a cobbler. They have additional methods they can use to manipulate the size.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can a cobbler stretch the calf of a boot?

Moe Draper
Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
Moe Draper is a Shoe Care and Repair Specialist and the Owner of Detroit Shoe Shine and Shoe Repair. With over 20 years of personal experience, Moe specializes in shoe shining, cosmetic restorations for quality leather goods, and minor/major shoe repair services. Moe and his staff at Detroit Shoe Shine and Repair have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge.

Moe Draper

Shoe Care & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes. Going to a cobbler is actually the best way to do this. They'll be able to make modifications to the calves so that they fit more comfortably.

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Question

Can boots be altered to fit my calves without stretching?

Moe Draper
Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
Moe Draper is a Shoe Care and Repair Specialist and the Owner of Detroit Shoe Shine and Shoe Repair. With over 20 years of personal experience, Moe specializes in shoe shining, cosmetic restorations for quality leather goods, and minor/major shoe repair services. Moe and his staff at Detroit Shoe Shine and Repair have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge.

Moe Draper

Shoe Care & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Well, if they're too tight, you're going to have to stretch them. There's no way around that. However, if you're dealing with regular weight loss and gain, ask your cobbler to put in elastic track put in the middle of the boot. This way, you'll have more flexibility when you wear your boots.

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Tips

Once your boots are stretched out, use rolled-up towels to help them keep their shape when they’re not being worn.

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Take your boots to a cobbler to have them professionally stretched if you don’t want to do it yourself.

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Consider purchasing a zipper extender to widen zip-up boots.

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