Steel toe boots are an example of one of the best pairs of boots that one can wear while engaging in several outdoor activities. The shoes are usually worn by construction workers, engineers, and other people who are working in harsher environments that can injure one's feet. The boots are always used as a part of the protective gear that people should have on while at their places of work. Although most steel toe boots are designed to be well-fitting and comfortable, some of them need some widening so that they can fit the feet well and at the same time become more comfortable to wear and walk in.
The points below explain in details on how to widen steel toe boots.
1. Using a Boot Stretcher
There are special boot stretchers known as steel toe boot stretchers which can be used to do the stretching job. You should insert the boot stretcher in the shoes and set it to the correct dimensions. The stretcher should be set to either increase the length or the width of the boots. The boot stretcher should then be placed to adjust the shoes depending on where the discomforts are. After setting the stretcher in the boots, the lever should be turned, and the boots should be left in this condition for 24-48 hours to stretch adequately.
2. Stretching Using the Mink Oil Treatment
A special oil known as mink oil is also used to extend the boots. In this case, the oil is applied around the outer surfaces of the boots more specifically around the uncomfortable areas. The shoes should then be left to spend the entire night in this condition. In the morning, remove the excess oil from the shoes using a piece of cloth. The oil will make it easier for the shoes to stretch more when one wears them again.
3. Stretching Using Cold Water Treatment
The cold water treatment method is very efficient and it stretches the boots as much as possible making them more comfortable. Plastic bags are filled with water then put inside the boots. The shoes are then put in a freezer and let to stay there overnight. The water will turn into ice, increase in volume and this will stretch the boots. In the morning, wait for the ice to melt then remove the plastic bags from the boots. The shoes will have expanded and stretched significantly.
4. Stretching Using a Mop Stick
In this case, a mop stick is inserted in the boots and stuck where the boots feel uncomfortable and painful. The uncomfortable parts are usually around the heels or the toes. Once the stick is resting on the uncomfortable area, one should press it gently yet firmly until the leather around that area has dislocated a bit. The boots will have successfully expand after removing the mop stick. The process is not effective for stretching the shoes with a bigger margin.
5. Stretching Using Alcohol
One outstanding characteristic of alcohol is that it helps the rubber to relax. Once the rubber relaxes, it becomes even easier to stretch it. In this method, a spray gun is used to spray rubbing alcohol on the steel toe boots. Once the shoes are thoroughly sprayed with the alcohol solution, one should leave them to dry in a warm area. The boots will stretch a bit when they dry.
In conclusion, understanding how to widen steel toe boots is very vital because it can save someone the hustle of going back to the store to buy a new set of boots. On top of that, the above techniques can increase one's performance at the workplace by making the boots more comfortable to wear.
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