How To Stretch Rubber Boots : Most Effective Methods [2024]

No wonder rubber boots are a person’s staple footwear in order to protect the feet from heavy showers and puddles. Along with keeping the feet dry and crisp, rubber boots are trendy as well.

To don these stylish pairs of rubber boots, you always need to choose the correct fit. But there are times when you accidentally bought boots that are too tight to your feet, and ultimately you think they are of no use.

Hold on! The solution to your problem is right in this article. Here I have explained the easiest techniques of boot stretching following which you can make your tight boots wearable again and save your few bucks.

So without wasting any more time, let’s jump into writing and discover the most uncomplicated methods of stretching rubber boots in no time.

How To Stretch Rubber Boots Easily?

Rubber boots are all-around boots. They are worn for multi-purpose reasons; for instance- rubber boots protect your feet from the harshness of a rocky road, your feet remain dry in inclement weather, and rubber boots prevent slipping.

However, you can take full advantage of a rubber boot only when you pick the correct size. Because when you wear tight-fitted rubber boots, it pricks the feet, and you will end up with a sore foot.

Luckily, boot stretching can help you avoid this problem and make your tight rubber boots wearable.

Note that boot stretching is a bit lengthy process; you need to follow all the steps carefully to get the best result of stretching.

In this article, I have described a list of boot stretching methods; in case one doesn’t work for your boots, you can alternate the techniques for the best result.

But before that, go through our epic guide how to Dry Wet Work Boots.

Here are the methods of stretching rubber boots:

Method 1: Freeze The Boots

Follow the freezing method only if your rubber boots are a tad bit tight, don’t expect your boots will enlarge to a full size.

Things you’ll need:

1. Take two clean plastic Ziploc bags, fill ¼ of the bag with fresh water. Compress the air out of the bags and seal them. Don’t try to fill the bags fully with water because when water freezes, it expands, so there are chances the plastic bags can rupture.
2. Put the water bags inside each of the boots, make sure the water-filled bag touches the boot’s insole. If you want to stretch any specific areas, then place the water bags, particularly in those areas.
3. Place the boots in the deep-freezer and let them sit there overnight. When water freezes, it expands by about 10%, so when the water freezes and expands, this is the time the boots stretching takes place.
4. The following day, take the boots out of the freezer and let the ice sit in the boots for 20 minutes so that it defrosts.
5. Carefully take the water bags out of the boots. Make sure not to tear the bags, or else you will end up in a mess.
6. Try the boots on, and if you need any more adjustments, then you can repeat the same procedure.

Method 2: Heat The Boots With A Blow-Dryer

Heating is also a nifty method for stretching rubber boots. When you apply heat to the rubber boots, it expands and molds to your feet’ shape.

Keep in mind; this heating method is just a quick solution, don’t expect you will get a permanent result.

Things you’ll need:

1. Pick the thickest socks among your socks collection and wear them. Put on your boots too. If wearing the thick pair of socks doesn’t let your feet fit in the boots, try wearing thin socks.
2. Take your blow-dryer and sit it to high-heat. Hold the dryer about 6-8 inches away from the boots and turn on the blow-dryer. Constantly move the dryer so that it covers the entire boot. If you want to stretch a specific area, then focus the heat on that particular area.
3. When you are blowing hot air to the boots, raise your toes and flex your heel, this will help the rubber stretch more precisely.
4. After 30 minutes of using the blow dryer to your boots, take a stroll for about 30 minutes wearing the rubber boots. As the rubber cools down, it will mold to your feet’ shape.

You can repeat the process as many times as you want or until you are satisfied with the stretching.

Follow our other guide to know how to Dry Boots In Dryer.

Method 3: Use Boot Stretcher

Till now I have been talking about the products that are already present at your home. But in this method, you have to invest in a good boot stretcher.

If you already have a boot stretcher, then fantastic, but if you don’t have one, then you can easily purchase it from any shoe store.

Remember, there are different types of boot stretchers available in the market, so choose according to boot shape.

The boot stretcher mainly stretches the toe and shaft area of the boots, but it doesn’t make the boots wider.

Things you’ll need:

1. Put the stretcher inside the boots, turn the handle clockwise to start opening it.
2. When the boot stretcher feels very tight, and the handle becomes very hard to turn, give 2-3 turns more to expand the rubber.
3. Leave the boot stretcher inside the boots for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight.
4. Slowly turn the handle anti-clockwise to close the boot stretcher. When you can’t turn the handle any more, take the stretcher out of the boots.
5. Walk in the boots and check the fitting. If you want a bit more stretching, then do the same process again.

Method 4: Use Stretching Liquid

Stretching liquid also works excellent in stretching rubber boots.  This liquid contains a chemical that reacts with rubber making the boots more flexible.

As these liquids are specially made for stretching boots, the end results will be excellent, but the stretching doesn’t last long. Also, make sure the stretcher liquid is safe to use on your boots.

Things you’ll need:

Here are the steps to use stretching liquid on rubber boots:

1. Place newspaper in your working station to avoid any sort of mess.
2. Mix 50/50 of rubbing alcohol and water with the stretching liquid.
3. With a clean cloth, rub the liquid mixture to the places you want to stretch your boots.
4. Wear a pair of thick socks and put your boots on. Walk in the boots for at least 30 minutes.

If you want extra stretching, wear a second pair of socks.

But before that, you check out Is WorkBoots.Com A Legit Website.

What Are The Things To Avoid While Stretching Rubber Boots?

Stretching does expand your boot and makes it comfortably fit your feet. However, if you don’t follow the correct stretching procedure, you will end up damaging your rubber boots.

So you need to follow certain precautions while stretching rubber boots.

Do check our latest post on the how to Fix Squeaky Boots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do boots stretch as you wear them?

Yes, boots stretch as you wear them. The more you wear the boots, the larger and pliable it gets. However, not all material stretches as you wear them.

Can I stretch rubber boots too much?

No, you shouldn’t stretch rubber boots too much. If you stretch the boots beyond ½-¾  inches, the rubber will just weaken and break apart.

Can I stretch new rubber boots?

Yes, you can stretch new rubber boots, but it is advised not to do so. When the rubber boots are new, they don’t undergo the break-in period. Once you wear the boots frequently, the boots will break-in, and after that, you can stretch the boots.

Conclusion

Stretching is an excellent technique to expand your ill-fitted rubber boots. Now that you know all the simple and easy methods of stretching rubber boots do apply on your boots and get awed by the result.

If you are not confident enough or don’t want to do the stretching process yourself, you can take professional help. Take your rubber boots to a cobbler, and they will do the magic with their expert hand.