The Best Shoe Stretchers for Boots, Sneakers, and Heels

Getting your favourite boots, sneakers, or heels is exciting. You know you want to complement your pants, shirts, or dress to step out and make a unique fashion statement. The only problem is that you might unpack your brand new shoes and realize they are a bit too tight. Maybe you first tried them on in the morning when your feet were less swollen, or perhaps they only had a size smaller available, but you fell in love with them anyway. That’s where the solution of a high-quality shoe stretcher comes to the rescue.

Let us introduce you to the best shoe stretchers for most types of shoes. These innovative gadgets make life easier by shortening that painful break-in period for your new shoes. Likewise, they correct old deformed shoes, preventing them from deforming your toes and causing discomfort. Indeed, tight shoes may cause corns, bunions, or other serious foot injuries that can trigger other health complications. But, a reliable shoe stretcher will transform any shoe into a comfortable and perfectly fitting one.

In this buying guide, we compare the various attributes of the best shoe stretchers on the market. They include durable materials, unique construction, pressure point relievers, and easy-to-use styles. So if your shoes are causing you pain or do not fit correctly, check out our recommendations for various shoe types and purposes.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

---

BEST SHOE STRETCHER FOR BOOTS

Our pick for the best shoe stretcher for boots is the Shoe Stretcher Pair of 4-way Shoe Widener Expander Shoe Tree Shape for Wide Feet. As 4-way shoe trees, they will increase your boot’s size, width, instep area, and overall fit. The shoe stretchers shorten the break-in period of even the toughest leather to up to 24 hours. 

BEST SHOE STRETCHER FOR SNEAKERS

In our opinion, the best shoe stretcher available for your sneakers is the Deluxe Shoe Tree. These shoe trees achieve a wide fitting at the toe area while retaining the sneaker’s original shape for years.

BEST SHOE STRETCHER FOR BUNIONS

With up to 18 bunion plugs targeting most of your pressure points, we recommend the HOUNDSBAY “Bulldog” Heavy-Duty Shoe Stretcher as your best shoe stretcher for bunions and corns. The shoe stretchers transform your tight and deformed shoes into comfortable ones in under 8 hours, one of the shortest break-in periods so far. 

BEST SHOE STRETCHER TO STRETCH SHOES WIDER

The best shoe stretcher that optimizes on stretching the width of your shoes is the HOUNDSBAY Cedar Shoe Tree for Men. They use the aromatic red cedar wood in a split toe and wide heel construction. These shoe trees will retain the shape of your fabric or leather shoes, prevent wrinkles, and fight bad smell.

BEST SHOE STRETCHER FOR HEELS

Finally, we recommend West Light 4 Way Women High Heel Shoe Stretcher as the best shoe stretcher for your heels. Unlike other shoe trees with a 2-way design, these shoe stretchers correct the length, width, instep area, and fit of your shoes, achieving a comfortable, roomier fit in less than 24 hours. 

1. FootFitter Premium Professional 2-Way Shoe Stretcher

The FootFitter Premium Professional 2-Way Shoe Stretcher is of the contoured beechwood heel and toes blocks, stretching the length and widening the toe box as per your desire. Built to last, they are of a heavy-duty design that includes three stainless steel stretching plugs for bunions, corns, and pressure points. For this, they are effective on Suede and Nubuck, leather and Vinyl, and canvas and fabric shoes.

2. HOUNDSBAY “Bulldog” Heavy-Duty Shoe Stretcher

The Houndsbay “Bulldog” Heavy Duty Shoe Stretchers are 2-way shoe trees in all wood and metal components. They have a smooth yet heavy-duty and indestructible construction, ensuring you get the best value for your money. If you struggle with painful toes, check out the six steel stretching plugs that will relieve pressure and help you combat corns and bunions. Further, you can loosen multiple areas simultaneously, hence getting rid of the overall shoe discomfort.

3. Eachway Shoe Stretcher Shoe Trees

If you are a couple looking for unisex shoe stretchers for your heels, sandals, sneakers, or boots, Eachway Shoe Stretcher Shoe Trees are your best pick. These stretches use eight bunion plugs to relieve pressure in those specific toe areas. Plus, there are two heightened bags to adjust the instep area. With these shoe stretches, you can cut the uncomfortable break-in period by stretching the shoe length, width, instep area, and general fit. The shoe stretchers retail in attractive grey, yellow, and rose colour variations.

4. Ktaxon Adjustable Shoe Tree Stretcher

If you have old shoes that look deformed, or you have boots that are losing shape due to using them in harsh conditions, consider using the Ktaxon Adjustable Shoe Tree Stretcher to get them back into shape. Indeed, these shoe trees combine top-grade plastic parts, solid pine wood, and iron handle and joints to keep your boots properly fitting for long. Besides, it has fewer components for assembly, making it your ideal travel companion.

5. HOUNDSBAY Cedar Shoe Tree for Men

Here is a shoe stretcher for men with significantly wide feet. The Houndsbay Cedar Shoe Tree for Men is made of aromatic and durable Eastern Red cedar wood grown in the US. The wood stretches the length and width of your shoes while absorbing any dampness and bad odour. More so, each shoe tree has a convenient engraving to help you identify the right and left sides. These shoe trees will preserve the shape of your shoes.

6. Deluxe Shoe Stretcher Set of 2

Now, if you have large feet, the Deluxe Shoe Stretcher Set of 2 presents you with a shoe tree specific for each foot. Here, the shoe stretcher will increase the shoe size, widen the toe area, and relieve pressure in 4 strategic points. That way, you can eliminate blistering, bunions, corns, and any other painful feet experience. Besides, its rugged, handcrafted construction in metal and wood is durable, giving you great value for your money.

7. KevenAnna Pair of Premium Professional 2-way Shoe Trees

If your feet are prone to getting corns and bunions, the KevenAnna Pair of Premium Professional 2-Way Shoe Trees retail with two bunion & corn plugs to relieve your pain. Indeed, these shoe stretchers opt for a spot stretching approach to increase the length and width of your shoes as desired. More so, its three size options guarantee you have a proper fit despite your shoe size.

8. Deluxe Shoe Tree

Here is another shoe tree dedicated to persons with large feet. The Deluxe Shoe tree is a 2-way shoe stretcher targeting men’s and women’s small, medium, and large shoes with a wider fit. Here, the shoe stretcher uses four relief pods at specific pressure points, ensuring your feet are free from corns, bunions, and blisters.

9. FootFitter Premium 3”- 6” High Heel Shoe Stretcher

If you have high heels of between 3” and 6”, you can widen their fit using the FootFitter Premium 3”- 6” High Heel Shoe Stretcher for Women. This shoe stretcher is made of durable German beechwood and stainless steel stretching plugs, with each shoe tree dedicated to each foot.

10. Formé High Heel Shoe Stretcher

Formé is a reputable brand making shoe stretchers for your high heels, booties, and flats. Its High Heel Shoe Stretcher features a pivot design that will push out the heel tab, shape the shoe, and prevent wrinkling. Likewise, its custom feeling fit approach is effective on vegan leather, animal leather, and synthetic materials.

11. FootFitter Cast Iron Ball & Ring Bunion Shoe Stretcher Spot Stretching Device

If you are a frequent traveller or prefer a less bulky shoe stretcher in your closet, consider getting the FootFitter Cast Iron Ball & Ring Bunion Shoe Stretcher Spot Stretching Device. Retailing in either black or grey shades, this minimalistic shoe tree has a clamp design that stretches specific pressure points in less than 24 hours. This heavy-duty cast iron design works well on synthetic and natural leather shoes.

12. Women’s Professional Shoe Stretcher

The Women’s Professional Shoe Stretcher presents you with the best solution for your aching feet. It is made of solid wood construction with metal plugs, with each shoe tree working well on either shoe. It will lengthen the shoes, widen the fit, and make the toe area roomy for comfortable wear. Don’t forget to apply your favourite shoe stretch aerosol or liquid for the best results.

13. Miserwe Shoe Stretcher Adjustable Unisex Shoes Stretcher

The Miserwe Shoe Stretcher is a great shoe stretcher for relieving corns, bunions, and blister formation due to tight or deformed shoes. It is an all plastic and metal shoe stretcher for men’s and women’s shoes, retailing with a convenient carrying bag. It works by increasing the size and width while stretching eight target pressure points.

14. KevenAnna Pair of Women High Heel Shoe Stretcher For Women’s

Here is another plastic and metal-styled shoe stretcher for your heels; the KevenAnna Pair of Women High Heel Shoe Stretcher. They adjust the shoe length width, ensuring you are free of pain and blisters. Its two heightened pads target the instep area to make your toes roomier. And, the bunion plugs will stretch the pressure points while retaining the shape of your heels.

15. New Two Way Women Men Shoe Stretcher

The New Two Way Women Men Shoe Stretcher is a pair or single shoe stretcher for wide feet. It features a no-plastic durable construction that relieves pain and prevents blistering at your pressure points. These shoe trees have a heavy-duty metal rod and a solid wood heel and toe block that is easy to use.

16. Shoe Stretcher Pair of 4-way Shoe Widener Expander

If you are prone to getting calluses, blistering, bunions, hammertoes, or corns, you need a shoe stretcher to adjust as many pressure points as possible on your feet to achieve a custom fit. Indeed, you may experience tightness with new or old shoes even after spending hours fitting them at different stores. For this, the Lanney Shoe Stretcher is a 4-way shoe tree with 12 bunion plugs. It will address all your foot pressure points, ensuring you get the right feet for comfortable wear.

You might also like these articles:

Breaking in Work Boots, The Right Way

A Complete Guide to Atoms Shoes

All Your Questions about Allbirds Shoes Answered