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Money Saving Tips

Shoe stretching

13 years ago

Cleaning out the attic we came across this object that the previous owners left.It looks like an old fashioned shoe stretcher. Coincidentally, I needed just such an item for my shoe. I have seen the later ones that are completely different from these so i am just guessing how these may work. The knob at the end confused me until I thought that it has to be hammered down fully to give the shoe the stretch...but its next impossible to do. Does anyone know just how these are suppose to work? Here are two photos of it.

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Comments (8)

boothbay
Original Author
13 years ago
Apparently one cannot include 2 photo's in one message so here is the other view....unless someone can tell me how does one include more than one photo in one message..
LuAnn_in_PA
13 years ago
That does not look like a stretcher to me... it looks like a shoe last (used to make and repair shoes).
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Hope i didn't misdirect anyone
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Sometimes you can get away with having your shoes stretched. The old retail places where they actually sold goods in person used to have such stretching machines. I have sometimes had success with shoe inserts when the shoes get loose. There are various ones you can get depending on why the shoe is loose.
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It’s so hard to know what size to order in a show, especially a brand you’ve never worn before. I always read the reviews regarding sizing. I too have a big foot and my left foot is almost a half size larger than my right, plus my middle toes are longer. As I’ve aged i need a wider toe box, but still have a narrow heel and my instep is high, so I’m hard to fit. I’ve ordered everything from a 10 to an 11 and found a fit, depending on style and brand. I’ve been pretty much living in athletic shoes since my femur fracture. My favorite is AllBirds. I wear an 11 most comfortably with thin socks (merino) and the toe box is generous. You might find a men’s size that works for you. They pretty much look like the women’s versions. I wore a pair (pre-bone break) all over Italy and they were very comfortable, and alternated with a pair of Ecco sandals (it was very warm in May). I love the wool Mizzles for winter wear with the black soles. Another idea is to have a good shoe shop stretch a leather pair for you in the toe. I used to have this done in one of the department stores when a shoe was slightly tight for me in the toe box and it really made a difference. Good luck!
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christopherh
13 years ago
I agree. I looks like a last.
boothbay
Original Author
13 years ago
I have heard of a shoe horn but why is this object called a "last"?
erinsean
13 years ago
Could also be a shoe tree....one that you put in your shoes after wearing them. A shoe stretcher would be something that you can adjust wider at the toe part and also adjust from heel to toe.
emma
13 years ago
Post this in the antiques and collectables forum and see what they say.
sameboat
12 years ago
I am not old but my dad used these. He had very dressy shoes for work and stored his shoes with these in them in the closet. They kept the shoe's shape. You slide the toe part in, and then push the knob down towards the heel. It should be very snug, but if it's next to impossible to wedge into your shoe, then it's just too big. he also used them when polishing his shoes. Maybe so they wouldn't shrink? This was only back in the 70s and 80s.
joyfulguy
12 years ago
I had a pair some years ago that looked like these.

They're shoe trees, used to put into shoes after wearing to help maintain their shape, to keep them straight rather than curling up a bit..

I also had a pair that had a narrower, rounded stick at the back, with a spring in it, which pushed back against the heel.

ole joyful

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