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any place that offers custom ski boot fitting... hard to find in vegas?

Loosen the lace all the way down to the toe. Use a couple of sturdy, thick wash clothes (one for each shoe) and wad them up into the toe, stuffing them in tightly with a nut tool. Let them sit fo a week. Don't overdo to avoid damage.

Worked for me...I thought I would have to replace the shoes.

I've had quite a bit of success with the hot water stretch, especially with unlined leather shoes. My approach is quite simple; I put the shoes on and then take a warm/hot shower. Soaking your feet (with shoes on) in a basin of warm water for 10 minutes would have the same effect. Then, as you say, leave them on while they dry...as long as you can tolerate. You don't really need to keep them on the entire time while they dry...this could take hours (ouch). I usually just leave them on for about 20 minutes post-shower, then take them off. It helps to then put them on again for about 10 minutes every hour or two while they air dry, so that they don't shrink again as they dry. Let them dry completely, then try them on. If still too tight, a second hot water stretch can be effective.

I like the hot-water stretch so much that it is my go-to method when getting a new pair of soft/tight shoes for bouldering (Sportiva Pythons, typically). I buy them so tight that I can't comfortably climb in them without first stretching them. I do 2 hot water stretches with a new pair immediately, and this basically does the same amount of stretching that a month of wearing them would do. After I do these hot water stretches, they seem to be maxed out for stretching...they don't really stretch much more thereafter. Also, the stretching does not seem to damage the integrity of the shoe...the rubber, glue, etc seems unaffected. The best part, though, is that after stretching them the fit is extraordinary, perfectly molded to my foot.

Again, this method is most effective with unlined leather. It will still work with lined leather (i.e. Miuras), but not the the same degree.

To avoid over-stretch, maybe try not soaking them. I've gotten good results with just spraying the shoes with a spray bottle, then wearing them around the house. If they don't respond, you can always add more moisture. Anyway, I have wide feet (EE) and this has worked for me on all kinds of shoes, starting with my EBs BITD.

unless you are a real poor dirtbag buy some shoe stretchers

my feet are literally 2 different sizes and they are the only way for me to avoid major pain/fucked up foot

I have one shoe out of a pair that get the stretcher as soon as I get home so they go in while the shoe is still wet/sweaty

when you first use them go slow to avoid the rand bulging over the sole, a 1/2 turn a day for a few days works on stiff soled shoes pretty well

footsmart.com/P-FitRight-Tw…^50068355586-sku^90120+C-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^22838732317

VaGenius wrote:Smart ass comments also welcomed, hypocrisy is so 2013.

Wear 'em over a pair of cotton socks, evenings, whilst perusing your favorite novel or publication. Hurts like hell tolerating having your feet stuffed in (beer helps) but at least you won't bear weight on them. Repeat two or three nights, then take them to the crag and wear barefoot.

Using this technique, I've settled on Euro size 40.5 Miuras for my US size 11.5 feet. Can't wear them all day but they're good for a pitch and fit like a glove.

I've never intentionally soaked a pair of shoes...

Kirk Miller wrote:Wear 'em over a pair of cotton socks, evenings, whilst perusing your favorite novel or publication. Hurts like hell tolerating having your feet stuffed in (beer helps) but at least you won't bear weight on them. Repeat two or three nights, then take them to the crag and wear barefoot. Using this technique, I've settled on Euro size 40.5 Miuras for my US size 11.5 feet. Can't wear them all day but they're good for a pitch and fit like a glove. I've never intentionally soaked a pair of shoes...

Depending on your shoe size empty beer bottles (rinsed out first) can work to stretch the toe box out a little bit (it worked on my Scarpa boosters(size 10) and 5.10 blackwings(size 11)) put the bottom of the bottle into the toe of the shoe and the top of the bottle in the heel and let them sit for a couple days.

I've had good results with the spray bottle and wearing them around the house until dry, but to make the process a bit shorter use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol in the spray bottle. Have never had any glue problems.

Hey Morgan, I've been at it for better than 40 years... guess my feet have been shaped by the sport but I don't find these to be too tight, once they're stretched properly.

Guess I thought I was addressing the original thread intent... seem to remember it was something about how to stretch out too tight shoes?