I took my new boots to the cobbler to stretch the calf and was told they couldn’t do it because the boots have zippers and the zippers will break as soon as they put them on the stretching apparatus. They were the close-out Tredsteps, so I can’t return them either.
Is this true? Has anyone had their zippered tall boots successfully stretched?
I’m in the Austin area, so if anyone has a recommendation for a specific shop, please share! Thanks!
I got my tall boots (with zippers) stretched by Xenia shoe repair. They really did a fabulous job with pretty fast turnaround.
I was told the same thing by my local shoe guy as well.
I used the “bathtub method” on a non-fancy pair of Ariats (with zippers) that were very stiff and tight–and it worked and didn’t seem to hurt the leather. I know there are several threads on the topic, I’ll see if I can find one…
here they are:
This method for stretching regular shoes helped with my zippered tall boots: put on a thick pair of socks (or anything that will still allow you to zipper the boots), put the boots on, and use a hair dryer to blow hot air over the tight parts for a few minutes. Let boots cool and repeat as needed until they stretch. This isn’t much help if you need to stretch them a lot, but it’s an easy and quick fix to get a little extra room.
I used the bathtub method and split my zipper so just be careful with that!
I should have mentioned- Bathtub method is not an option since I can’t even get them zipped up all the way.
I usually wear a slim calf size, so thought extra-slim would be doable… not so much! I don’t think I have much of a chance trying to resell an extra-slim calf in a size 8 1/2, so I really am stuck trying to make them work.
Jumper girl- The place in Xenia, Ohio?
I’ve never tried it, but you could try Der Dau’s Boot Stretch? It’s a spray and I think all it does it open up the pores of the leather and allow it to stretch more easily. Also, try wearing thin pants (like leggings) to get the boots on, then as they stretch move onto thicker pants, breeches + socks, etc. My Tredsteps were so painful to break in when I first got them. I also found that they were a lot easier to zip up in the morning, before I walked around all day and my legs swelled (just barely but it makes a difference). Hope you don’t have to sell them!
I’d take them to a more creative cobbler. You could add an elastic gusset, or rip out one side of the zipper and add a bit more fabric before sewing it back in or something. There’s definitely options, although they might not end up AA show worthy.
I took mine to Outback Leather in MD who has a lot of experience with tall boots. He was able to stretch mine a LOT. I couldn’t get them zippered when I took them in and they fit when he was done. He said it was a lot to stretch and the zippers could have broken but he’s never had them break before. He gave me leather conditioner and had me really condition the leather inside and out of the boots for a while and they look great. You would never know I had them stretched. I would take them to a cobbler or leather shop that is familiar with riding boots and see what they can do.
I’m curious if the OP ever succeeded in having her new boots stretched out, and if so, what method worked for her?
I got a new pair of boots yesterday. The right boot zips but is tight. The left side, just barely will not zip for me. It gets stuck just above the base of my calf. My feet are so hard to size, I’m going to consider this my only affordable option.
[QUOTE=BK6756;7658536]
I took my new boots to the cobbler to stretch the calf and was told they couldn’t do it because the boots have zippers and the zippers will break as soon as they put them on the stretching apparatus. They were the close-out Tredsteps, so I can’t return them either.
Is this true? Has anyone had their zippered tall boots successfully stretched?
I’m in the Austin area, so if anyone has a recommendation for a specific shop, please share! Thanks![/QUOTE]
I think we bought the same pair of boots! Did you get yours from Tack of The Day?? I ordered mine hoping they would fit and I can’t get the right one zipped to save my life. I took mine to the Austin Shoe Hospital on Burnet Rd… They were very nice and we talked about the possibility of the zipper breaking but they said if I was ok with that they were ok with it. I ended up taking it back to get stretched 3 times. They only charged me for the first time. Still can’t get the stupid right boot zipped. I think it is time for me to give up and put them on ebay 
I had my Tredstep DaVincis (with a zipper) stretched. I didn’t get much extra room, but w/ that and the DerDau boot spray, I was able to finally get them working for me.
Like you, I’m a hard fit so getting rid of them wasn’t an option…I tried but not a lot of people wear a size 9 extra slim calf!
They now fit both calves comfortably. The more I wore them the better they got. Another tip, get a pair of pliers to grab the zipper to give extra leverage when zipping them. I gave myself horrible blisters when I first got them and learned my lesson quick! I keep them in my tack box now but don’t need them any more since they fit correctly now.
I decided to try the alcohol approach. I managed to get mine both zipped up last night. Wore them around for about an hour or two before bed. I’ll try again on a saturday when I have more time with thicker legwear.
Hunterprincez- I took mine to the Austin Shoe Hospital on Ben White and the guy refused to even try to stretch them, saying the zipper would definitely break. He wouldn’t attempt it, even if I accepted the risk. Guess it all depends on which location and who you talk to!
I was planning on taking them with me when I go to Ohio for the holidays because I won’t be far from Xenia and they have a repair place that seems to be much more familiar with riding boots. They did warn me the zipper can break, but that they have stretched zippered boots many times and it is rarely a problem.
I’ll let you all know how it goes 
I could barely zip my treadsteps when I got them and now they fit like a second skin. I also have the boots with the stretch panels, so that makes a difference.
Try this: put on nylons, because they makes your legs slippery vs skin, and then put your legs up in the air to get them zipped. You can soften the inside of the boot w rubbing alcohol, but I wouldn’t do the outside.
Treadsteps aren’t very thick leather so they should be able to stretch out. Keep adding layers as they stretch til you can fit them over breeches.
I’m going to confess that after reading a number of suggestions regarding using alcohol the other day, I decided to try that. So I bought a spray bottle and rubbing alcohol and I sprayed the insides of the boots before putting them on. It worked well. I will need to do this a few more times but am happy so far.
Then yesterday I found this link
If you scroll down, you will read:
Dilute the rubbing alcohol with equal parts water before using to avoid abrading the boot’s material.
And…
Test a small area. Pick an unobtrusive spot on one of the boots, such as the back heel or the inside lip. Apply a small amount of the liquid there and wait for it to dry. If it leaves a stain, try a different liquid or stretching method.
Only test the inside lip if it is the same material as the outside of the boot.
Check for stains under both natural and artificial light if possible.
Rub or spray the tight area. Apply the area you want stretched and surrounding areas until the leather is damp or the synthetic material is visibly wet.
Apply a spray about 5 inches (12 cm) distant from the boots.
You can apply the liquid to the outside or inside of the shoe. It should stretch either way.
If the liquid begins to run off the shoe, stop and wipe off the excess.
After reading all that I was thinking I had done it completely wrong and got worried that I had ruined my boots.
When doing the alcohol method, what is the best way to do them? Spraying the outside sounds like a horrible idea but the article says to test and make sure it doesn’t stain. So do you spray outside or inside?
Btw - my legs look all bruised from my first attempts. The leather stained my legs brown and they make me look like the product of domestic violence. If you do this yourself, wear something thicker than stockings.
I bought a pair of slim Ariats for $80 and was bound and determined to make them fit.
I used the spray-on boot-stretch. Every night after work, I’d spray the inside of the boots, then wear them around the house for a few hours. Like you, I could only zip them half way when I bought them. I can now zip them all the way and have an awesome pair of boots!
[QUOTE=snaffle635;7891242]
I bought a pair of slim Ariats for $80 and was bound and determined to make them fit.
I used the spray-on boot-stretch. Every night after work, I’d spray the inside of the boots, then wear them around the house for a few hours. Like you, I could only zip them half way when I bought them. I can now zip them all the way and have an awesome pair of boots![/QUOTE]
You guys are giving me hope!:winkgrin:
Maybe I’ll see what I can accomplish in the next week with the alcohol method before I leave for Ohio.
[QUOTE=BK6756;7891799]
You guys are giving me hope!:winkgrin:
Maybe I’ll see what I can accomplish in the next week with the alcohol method before I leave for Ohio.[/QUOTE]
I was only able to zip up about 3/4 of the left leg but with a lot of careful zipping and a good spraying before zipping, was able to zip all the way. Granted they hurt, but I could feel them loosening. It’s worth a shot at least…
My second attempt to stretch will be tonight. I need to bake a cheesecake for a party and figure what better way to bake, then while I stretch my boots?
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