Can you stretch (widen) tennis shoes?

[DAB942]

I bought Wilson Rush Pro 3.5. They are COMFORTABLE. However, I think i'm developing a bunion -- don't know if it's soft tissue or skeletal -- or even a bunion. I did not break them in -- I played in a match last week and they felt great. Only the way home, the base of big toe HURT. They did not bother me when I was wearing them around the house. Now, that I've played in them, I own them. I was curious if it's possible to stretch the shoes, like I have done with leather shoes.

 

[eah123]

I don’t think they can be stretched. Try thinner socks, or a thin replacement insole. Otherwise, sounds like new shoes are in your near future.

 

[DAB942]

Thanks - I'm going to wear them to see if they will break in. I already wear pretty thin, synthetic socks. I'm playing in the morning. I'm going to try some moleskin to see if it helps. Ultimately, I might have to get another pair of new shoes. I'm getting very close to my wife smothering me in my sleep.

 

[Fintft]

I tried professionally, with marginal results

 

[shug]

You can try a pair of decent shoe trees

 

[DAB942]

You can try a pair of decent shoe trees

I just stuffed a hiking sock in each one and jammed in the cedar shoe trees. Maybe at least it will break them in.

 

[shug]

I just stuffed a hiking sock in each one and jammed in the cedar shoe trees. Maybe at least it will break them in.

The shoe trees I have are adjustable from side to side (widening), and hell to toe.

FootFitter Premium Professional 2-Way Shoe Stretcher

 

[Bambooman]

Easily. Warm them up as much as you dare and then put them on with two pairs of socks. They will stretch.

 

[d-quik]

as much as you dare

But that requires actual judgement and decision making though

We want braindead, cookie-cutter, one-size-fits all instructions

 

[Bambooman]

Blow hairdryer into shoe until very warm, place on double socked foot.

 

[goodracket]

Yes, you can stretch. I have stretch many using a good stretcher. Coincidentally, I stretched some today.

 

[DAB942]

I ordered a stretcher. It's something I'll probably use on all of my shoes.

 

[norcal]

Yonex PC Durable 3 was quite a bit more narrow than PC Durable 2. Yonex sent the PC Durable 3 for a warranty replacement for the 2 so I couldn't return. I found some river rocks the right shape and pounded them into the front of the shoes and let them sit for a couple weeks. Worked perfectly.

^^ too cheap to order an expensive shoe expander for free pair of shoes lol.

 

[Maverick13]

I bought Wilson Rush Pro 3.5. They are COMFORTABLE. However, I think i'm developing a bunion -- don't know if it's soft tissue or skeletal -- or even a bunion. I did not break them in -- I played in a match last week and they felt great. Only the way, the base of big toe HURT. They did not bother me when I was wearing them around the house. Now, that I've played in them, I own them. I was curious if it's possible to stretch the shoes, like I have done with leather shoes.

I had the same issue. What I did was get Superfeet Green Wide. They are on the stiff side so they widened my shoes a great deal.

 

[graycrait]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWZH45Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[puppybutts]

i think TW Troy mentioned Kristie Ahn sometimes cut slits into the outside of her shoe to help them expand a little more.

 

[nyta2]

i have both of these, and always use them. my right foot is slightly wider than my left:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071V2NMWH/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/FootFitter-Professional-Adjustable-Stretcher-Heavy-Duty/dp/B09HJBBRGS

 

[DAB942]

i have both of these, and always use them. my right foot is slightly wider than my left:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071V2NMWH/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/FootFitter-Professional-Adjustable-Stretcher-Heavy-Duty/dp/B09HJBBRGS

I had stuffed a couple of hiking socks with shoe trees. I ordered a stretcher - they're in now -- we'll see how it goes.

 

[USMC-615]

But that requires actual judgemental and decision making though

We want braindead, cookie-cutter, one-size-fits all instructions

 

[nyta2]

I had stuffed a couple of hiking socks with shoe trees. I ordered a stretcher - they're in now -- we'll see how it goes.

for me,, it takes more than a single 8h session. typically will put it for 24h, wear them, put them in again... basically like a dozentimes until they are where i want them. i've read about an alcohol based solution you can use... i think is supposed to weaken the material slightly to make it more malleable, but i haven't tried that.

 

[DAB942]

for me,, it takes more than a single 8h session. typically will put it for 24h, wear them, put them in again... basically like a dozentimes until they are where i want them. i've read about an alcohol based solution you can use... i think is supposed to weaken the material slightly to make it more malleable, but i haven't tried that.

I saw that. I don't want to weaken to the point the material tears. I'll try them on tomorrow and repeat.

 

[d-quik]

Stupid typo, meant to say "judgement"

 

[USMC-615]

Stupid typo, meant to say "judgement"

I knew whatcha meant...

 

[USMC-615]

What I don't get is that so many 'tennis court' specific shoes' reviews mostly suck...regardless of mfg'r. Most complaints are either too narrow, even in D/Medium width, or the wide choices are too wide. The other half of the spectrum is folks wear the bottoms gone within a month or three. I play in old school green/white, red/white, blue/white Stan Smith leather, low-cut tennis shoes, or old school white with blue swoosh and/or white with black swoosh leather Nike low-cut tennis shoes (think 70's/80's here). They still sell 'em all day long.

I'll add this...it seems quite a few pairs of previous generation/iteration tennis shoes out there used to get real good reviews as far as fit and longevity, and a lot of folks say the newer lines and models of shoes replacing them are nowhere near like previous generations. What gives?? You know mfg'rs are reading site reviews, forum reviews, etc...guess they just don't give a damn and think folks will buy their junk anyway.

 

[DAB942]

What I don't get is that so many 'tennis court' specific shoes' reviews mostly suck...regardless of mfg'r. Most complaints are either too narrow, even in D/Medium width, or the wide choices are too wide. The other half of the spectrum is folks wear the bottoms gone within a month or three. I play in old school green/white, red/white, blue/white Stan Smith leather, low-cut tennis shoes, or old school white with blue swoosh and/or white with black swoosh leather Nike low-cut tennis shoes (think 70's/80's here). They still sell 'em all day long.

I'll add this...it seems quite a few pairs of previous generation/iteration tennis shoes out there used to get real good reviews as far as fit and longevity, and a lot of folks say the newer lines and models of shoes replacing them are nowhere near like previous generations. What gives?? You know mfg'rs are reading site reviews, forum reviews, etc...guess they just don't give a damn and think folks will buy their junk anyway.

I really liked some of the older Asics Gel Resolutions, until they changed them -- then I fell in love with the Ubersonic 3's - and then they changed them. These changes were not tweaks -- they were more a complete retooling -- effectively making them a brand new shoe. Were these updates or were these new model sold as updates of some of us who had make and model loyalty?

 

[USMC-615]

I really liked some of the older Asics Gel Resolutions, until they changed them -- then I fell in love with the Ubersonic 3's - and then they changed them. These changes were not tweaks -- they were more a complete retooling -- effectively making them a brand new shoe. Were these updates or were these new model sold as updates of some of us who had make and model loyalty?

Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to what these mfg'rs are doing now. I know one thing...if I were running the marketing aspect of one of these companies, you can bet my folks are reading reviews, etc, etc, etc and we'll be changing up to cater to the one niche market out there that pays our incomes...tennis players. You can have 50 million pairs of tennis shoes sitting in warehouses from one end of this planet to the other, and if they ain't selling, they ain't selling...missing out on your share of the money is all you're accomplishing. It takes two to tango...a mfg'r and a buyer. We ain't reinventing the wheel here.

 

[DAB942]

I used the stretcher for about 48 hours. Played a few sets in them yesterday. I didn't lace them as tight as I usually do, just in case. Very comfortable. I had some forward movement in the shoe, due to not being laced tight enough. A little tenderness maybe, but no pain.

 

[Mmazzoni]

I have a wider foot but can comfortably squeeze into a shoe with medium width and a low arch; mostly Nikes. I will try and grab a new pair at least a month before i know I'll need them and seriously stuff the toe box to stretch it out. It's been working out but as others mentioned with each new version release of a shoe figuring out how it will fit is a mystery.

 

[d-quik]

i think TW Troy mentioned Kristie Ahn sometimes cut slits into the outside of her shoe to help them expand a little more.

Probably won't be able to find but any chance you have the source or a picture of this?

 

[ByeByePoly]

I really liked some of the older Asics Gel Resolutions, until they changed them -- then I fell in love with the Ubersonic 3's - and then they changed them. These changes were not tweaks -- they were more a complete retooling -- effectively making them a brand new shoe. Were these updates or were these new model sold as updates of some of us who had make and model loyalty?

Yep … it was bad enough when NB would drop a 4E shoe that I liked, which forced a search for the next NB 4E. Couple of years later … rinse and repeat. But then NB really hosed me (yeah just me ) and 4E became 3E (said 4E but a dirty lie). I tried the stuffing packing paper in the toe box … and by stuffing I mean packing to the limit pounding with a 2x2x8 treated board from Home Depot. Note: treated mentioned here not important in the packing/pounding … just had other uses for treated. No luck for me … I think the shoe has to be close enough when the stretching ceremony begins.

I could not find the old NB 4E width in any name brand shoe, NB or otherwise. I now have a closet full of a Costco sports shoe (actually decent court shoe with decent lateral support). My Sofsole Airr orthodic insole replacement costs more than the shoe price at Costco. And guess what … I don’t see that shoe at Costco anymore … lol … glad I bought a closet full without wife approval. But hey … I look really smart now … at least to me.

I have some mild hallux limitus in big right toe, so any squeezing in toe box is no good. Looks like I will ride out my senior year tennis in lily white Costco geezer looking shoes … how appropriate. That said … when I look at the cost of shoes now, my closet full of Costco shoes looks like genius only matched by baby formula hoarding.

I needed to find comfortable 4E walking shoes , and found it with ASICS gel-Venture 8, luckily local store to try on without ordering online and returning. I tried 2-3 different ASICS with same width and all were too narrow except the Venture 8. Same frickin brand … X-Wife isn’t uniform. I buy almost everything online now … but apparently not shoes.