It makes sense that rubber boots are a popular choice for footwear, as they protect your feet from heavy rain and puddles.
A practical choice for keeping your feet cool and dry.
If you want to wear these chic rubber boots, you should always choose the right fit.
However, sometimes we buy boots that are too small or too big for our feet.
But you can always change it and reshape your rubber boots for a proper fit. There are several
How should rubber boots fit?
Rubber boot sizing is hard to predict as they usually run slightly oversized.
In general, rubber boots should fit true to size, but there are some exceptions.
For example, some rubber boots are about half a size larger than your normal shoe size.
Unfortunately, this can vary from brand to brand, and you may not be able to tell without trying the boots on first.
What if the rubber boots come loose?
There are several ways to tighten your rubber boots.
Rubber boots can be shrunk in a number of different ways, depending on the size of the item and the amount of shrinkage required.
1.) Hot water technique for rubber shrinkage
One of the best ways to shrink rubber boots is to soak them in hot tap water for a few minutes.
Water prevents cracking and heat shrinks the material.
Hold a rubber boot next to a working hot water tap.
Use hot water that does not burn your hands. Place the plug in the sink and add hot water if the water is too hot.
Soak the item in the sink for 10-15 minutes before removing it.
2.) boiling water
If hot tap water is ineffective in causing the rubber to shrink, place it in boiling water.
Boiling the rubber for 5-10 minutes causes the rubber to shrink due to the high heat.
Boiling a rubber object can restore it to its desired size and shape simply by removing the accumulated dirt and debris.
3.) Use a hair dryer to shrink the boots
Dry heat is an effective shrink method when rubber boots are too loose.
Place the rubber boots on a heat-resistant surface. Set the dryer to its highest setting and distribute the hot air evenly over the surface of the boot.
If the boot needs to shrink in a specific spot, use the most heat in that specific spot.
See also Should I wear rubber boots?
What should I do if my rubber boots are too tight?
No matter how hard I try, I still end up buying boots that are smaller than my feet.
But don’t worry. Here are some ideas to try if your rubber boots are too tight.
1.) Refrigeration technology
In this technique, the rubber is stretched with ice and shaped. Mainly used when the toes, sides and heels of rubber boots feel tight.
All you need to do this is a freezer, water, and a ziplock or other sealable plastic bag.
step 1: Collect plastic bags and fill them 1/4 to 1/3 full with water, depending on how much you want your boots to stretch.
Don’t forget to squeeze out the air and seal it when you’re done. This allows the water to fully inflate and the boot to fit comfortably.
Step 2: the next step is Stuff the water bag inside your boots, paying particular attention to the areas you want to stretch the most.
Make any necessary adjustments to stretch evenly along the boot.
Step 3: Then stretch the boots while the water inside the boots is frozen in the freezer.
Again, positioning and lifting the boot at a specific angle will help it hold its shape better depending on the exact area that needs the most stretch.
Step 4: Remove the boots from the freezer and after some time remove the bag.
Wait a few minutes to partially melt the ice and make it easier to remove the bag.
Step 5: At this point you are ready to put them on and check the fit. If it still doesn’t feel stretched enough, repeat the procedure.
2.) Heating technology
Stretch the rubber with heat in the following way.
This approach also follows simple logic. When rubber is heated, it stretches and softens, making it flexible.
Method is as follows.
step 1: Start by wearing the thickest socks that will fit in the boot, considering the space the boot needs to expand.
As a result, the boot has maximum stretch.
Step 2: Place the hair dryer on high heat and place it on top of the rubber boots.
Concentrate the heat on the part of the boot you want to stretch the most.
Keep the dyer several inches away from the boot to avoid damage.
Step 3: Once the boots are the right size, walk around for a while until the boots cool and harden.
3.) Use a boot stretcher
This technique requires spending money on a good boot stretcher.
There are many different boot stretchers on the market, so choose according to your boot shape.
PS- A boot stretcher primarily stretches the toe and shaft of the boot, but does not widen it.
Steps to follow –
1.) After slipping the stretcher into the boot, turn the handle clockwise to start opening the stretcher.
2.) If the boot stretcher feels too tight and difficult to turn, rotate the handle 2-3 more turns to spread the elastic.
3.) The boot stretcher should remain inside the boot for at least 8 hours or overnight.
4.) To release the boot stretcher, slowly turn the handle counter-clockwise. Remove the stretcher from the boot when you can no longer turn the handle.
5.) Walk in the boot to check the fit. Repeat the process for a little more stretching if necessary.
4.) Stretch liquid
Rubber boots also respond very well to stretch liquids.
The chemicals in this liquid react with the rubber, making the boot more flexible.
you can go to this FootMatters Professional Boot & Shoe Stretching Spray.
Here’s what you need:
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- stretch liquid
- newspaper
- water
- rubbing alcohol
- a piece of cloth
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Here are the steps to apply the stretch solution to your rubber boots:
1.) Spread newspaper on your work surface to prevent smudging.
2.) Mix alcohol with water and mix 50/50 with stretch fluid.
3.) Using a clean cloth, rub the mixture onto the area of the boot you want to stretch.
4.) Wear boots and thick socks. Walk in boots for at least 30 minutes.
See also Are rubber boots tight or loose?
Precautions when stretching rubber boots
You risk damaging your rubber boots if you don’t follow proper stretching techniques.
1.) If using a blow dryer, avoid applying too much heat, keep the dryer slightly away from the boot, and do not heat for more than 30 minutes.
2.) Do not overheat the rubber as it can burn and melt at high temperatures.
3.) Always wear thick socks when blowing hot air into your boots to avoid burning your feet.
4.) Do not turn the boot stretcher handle more than 5-6 times. Since rubber is elastic, it may tear if stretched too much.
5.) You should always use a rubber-safe stretching fluid. Applying liquids designed primarily for leather won’t do much.
6.) Always patch test your boots before using liquid products. Test liquid safety by applying a small amount to rubber boots first.
What happens if rubber boots don’t fit?
In conclusion, There are many foot problems that you can face due to improper rubber boots. It’s true that rubber boots are a little big, but they shouldn’t be too loose to cause discomfort or pain.
Boots that are too big or too small can quickly become damaged because they don’t fit your feet properly because they don’t fit properly.
Too small and your feet will stretch, too big and your feet will rub and tear the lining.
So you need to know how to properly reshape your rubber boots.
