When I worked in the oil fields we always get leather gloves but never really fit properly. So we would get them wet and then put them on and grab the pipes from the steam generator which were a couple hundred degrees and that he would cause them to shrink up and form to our hand. We also threw them on the pipe without a hand and then they would shrink up smaller than a kids glove. So moisture with heat will definitely bring leather down in size.
I know this is an old video, but soaking the boots with water and drying them with heat will make them shrink. We soak our welding gloves and dry them with a torch while wearing them. They fit perfect after that. You would need to oil the boots afterwards of course.
I've got to say that It is fascinating your work on the interviews to the boot makers... I am catching up with the previous ones and gosh, they are good!
Ordered my first pair of cowboy boots can’t wait to get them and use them on the farm I ordered the Ariat Heritage Stockyard they seem like a good boot to me
you know I love those Olathes! Well, I have certainly got my boots wet to help stretch them out, but was sure to wear them after getting them wet so they dried naturally under the pressure of my feet. I dunno, some of my boots have kind of shrunk up after I got them too wet but didn't wear them so they would dry out on my feet. But, you are absolutely correct, some parts shrink, the toe tends to curl up, they don't fit right/hurt and look bad.
I loved the 2nd pair of boots - they are sweet man 👍
3 года назад+6
Boots or any leather shoe can be shrunk 3 things you need is 1.Shoe Last or Shoe Tree to shrink to size you need.. 2.Heat gun (Hair dryer does not work) 3.Water or wet towl... Wet your boot or leather shoe and go over with the heat gun just becareful not to burn your shoe and keep on going till you start seeing your boot slowly shink it takes time.... (Practice with old shoes you don't need)
Another great alternative to removable insoles are tongue pads. Insoles push your feet up in the boot to make it tighter tongue pads push your foot down so you can still have the hard leather insole!
Boiling hot water maybe, but it will soften glue. I do like the idea of using a heat gun, soak one area of your boot like a side at a time and use the heat gun to dry the leather. But like you said, I personally use a high quality ECCO leather insole and it really allows a half size up to fit a half size down.
Thanks, just bought my first pair of cowboy boots and they are a little looser than I would like. I found that water myth and it just sounded fishy, glad I found your vid!
I'm gonna try this on my day off. Doesn't look scary or difficult at all. It's a last resort for my work boots that stretched out after they got soaked in the rain.
The way to ameliorate this issue: insoles. Ideally, leather with cork backing - but if not, then even the Scholls knockoffs that you get at your local pharmacy for $5 for two pair will work.
More than 10 years ago I bought a pair of boots that felt too big at the beginning. I have tried the water method which did not work but after wearing it for months it became snug enough. I think the main reason was that it was made of very rigid leather which got a bit wrinkled around the ankles during the months and these rigid wrinkles got formed to my feet. Now it fits like a glove. I have an other pair that is too wide but the thick insole trick did not solve the issue cause it made it snug in the wrong location.
filled with water, let it soak in, then hit with heat gun. you can SEE it shrink in. Worked great. I only focused on the top part to snug up the right areas.
The water trick does work you have to let the water soak in and dry them without wearing them. I soaked mine and let them sit in the sun in Las Vegas when it was 117 degrees and they shrunk almost a whole half size. Why would you wear a pair of wet boots when you're trying to shrink them???
Very good song. Innovative. Your information is needed out here. Keep it up. Oh, if you compose something worthy of publication, not that the boot sizing isn't, copy writr it and let us be the judge once again.
Brine water will shrink your boots dramatically. If you know any oil rig workers ask them about it. I've had 3 pairs ruined over the years. Got brine water on them and they didn't fit the next day. Shrunk a complete size down.
Hi Jeremiah Craig... the human body or a individuals anatomy is roughly 70 percent head to toe water...and how water could and can be retained through mineral and fluid retention, the other 30 percent could be bone density or containment of biodegradable/organic matter, but it all it varies from each individuals genetics, habbits,habitat,and what he or she eats according to season/trends, But to take into consideration the gentleman that mentioned the steam process is one to be challenged, I have a pair of lucchese's I bought online that advertised to be a 11D but when it came... it was far from it being it's label, an excellent make is undeniable! And to me, an excuse to use as a application for experimentation for my own curiosities to shrinkage science I have and still use steam in maintaining my boots, to the extreme minor and moderate... after watching and listening carefully to your talk I feel the need to experiment on the topic of steam/leather... and utilization of other mechanical applicants, in order to get a result of shrinkage for a snug fit.... as a boxing trainer im always hands on with skins/leather if it be the living skin on a person, or the dead skins used as tools to the trade to practice and perform contact/no contact sport...where all power comes from the ground upwards... example boxing gloves, boxing boots are there to protect, achieve, and advanced your actions in a environment of that nature... Thanks Jeremiah for your show... independent research is fun successful or unsuccessful a lesson will be learnt... hydration or dehydration laminate or contaminate. There's always a guarantee of a by-product. and questions that could be answered.
Hubbard's shoe grease in excess and overnight on the boot dryer weekly is what I do with ariat's that I got in an 11.5 d when I didn't know better about a have a tight fit till broke in.
Hey Jeremiah i just got my first pair of cowboy boots and they were a little loose so i tried the insole trick and they are a little tighter. But do u know anyway to make them a little tighter any reply would be great
I have a pair of tecovas that are a smidge too large. Does he remove the original insole and replace it with the aftermarket lamb skin insole or stack it on top?
I jus t had to get some leather insoles for my Hondo's. They are a lil big around the vamp but fit good around the toe. The insole makes them feel just right.
My new boots got locked in storage when I went aboard ship and then overseas for a total of six years. Long story short, they are too small now, so I'm thinking about the "soaking them in water and wearing them until they dry" tactic. My question is will my snake scales be damaged/fall off by doing this? Love your site.
Were your's just a bit too stretched out?? Mine stretched when I put an insole in and now they wrinkle when I walk. Did the heat gun fix you problem similar to this? Thanks bro
I'm in the same boat, my driving foot boot has stretched out making the boot look weird when standing.. but my resting foot sits and fits perfect still. So I really only need to shrink the right boot -.-
@@thomasjefferson6334 my right foot is slightly smaller than my left?foot, and the right boot was slightly roomier than the left boot, so the right boot felt loose. Applying heat gun worked as a temporary fix, the heat made the boot snug, but it did dry the leather surface and I left a few marks. So be careful!
@@dirtroads.sandycoves man I'm totally in the same situation. I even feel the right boot is slightly bigger than the left, so the problem seemed more prominent.
I thought my boots were shrinking. But I've always had super high arches. With age, my arches have started to flatten out. Now I'm a half size to a full shoe size bigger than I used to be, depending on the brand. I got my Tony Lamas like 25 years ago, and even after getting them stretched, they are still too tight. Bums me out cuz they are my favorite.
Thicker socks. I was gifted by my bride a pair of Tecova Midlands, and they said they would happily replace but I just decided it wasn’t worth the small size difference. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll change the insert to a Ariat wide toe? It’ll work out.
Insoles work well but the caveat is that it raises the heel so it slips outta the heel cup of the Boot and your heel slips up and down lol I’ve had that happen on a few pair and just had to pass them on to someone and get my correct size, it’s a bummer if you found an amazing deal like I did.
I got mine wet from washing the backyard down, let them dry in 90 degree weather and the next day the had become noticeably tighter. Double H was the brand..
Right! I have a pair of double h as well. Soak them in hot water and let them sit outside in Vegas when it was 117 outside. Shrunk almost a whole half size. I get that nice snug pop when I put them on now. Double H excellent boot built to last forever. I truly didn't want to return them. Water trick worked great. Why would you wear wet boots when you're trying to shrink them. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that theory. Let them shrink and then break them in again.
thanks to you and will talley...i have an ebay pair of almost brand new double H which are almost a half size too big...so i fully soaked in hot water (which cooled a bit by the time i was done) for 45min, and with all this talk of heat, will put them in the bathroom with the heater turned on, but not right in front. hope that will work because, as you said, these are too nice to never wear again...double H are great. for $40 i spent on them i will roll the dice.
Thank you for making this video before I ruined my new pair of Tecovas!!! Was thinking about using the water technique. I tried on an 8.5 and 9 and the 8.5 was just too small length wise. The 9 is great except the vamp/instep is just a bit loose and the leather sags and doesn't look too good. Ordered these insoles and hoping they do the trick.
I just got a pair of Cody James for $20. For the most part, they fit but they are big above the arch. (I think it's called the vamp) Is there a way to shrink just the vamp? I think it is a style choice for CJ but I'm not a fan of the look but for 20 I couldn't just leave them. I'm thinking I should bring them to a boot place and get them taken in. Don't know if that's very cost-effective tho. I could just wear them as they are. They are comfortable, they just don't look amazing. What would you suggest? I don't want to shrink the entire boot but after seeing your video I'm thinking I could shrink the entire boot then stretch them back to fit my foot again. As I said, I'd really appreciate your opinion on this. I've been watching your videos off and on for about two years at this point. I impulse bought a pair of Laredos on sale (about two years ago) and came to youtube to check out reviews to see if I overpaid. That's when I found your channel. I've loved boots ever since. Originally I thought it would be annoying to maintain leather boots but now I really enjoy buffing and conditioning them. In fact, this Cody James boot makes it the fifth pair I own.
You know aehy've done a few winters in motorcycle boots, water wrecks them, you stretch leather you're stressing the seamwork same with shrinking leather
I shrunk my leather boots by accident by falling into a river, then drying them by the campfire over night, they shrunk to size 3, so water and heat will shrink leather
Wet boots left too close to a campfire shrink. And look like hell. I actually have a pair of Finnish jackboots that did shrink up probably from a situation like that and it was a helluva time getting them back into shape. For the record I was not the one that cooked them.
Its not gonna form to nothing because its just soaking it for days and drying. It wont be stretched it at all because like i said its just soaking. It could work tho
Well, I was having a devil of a time putting my new boots on, and then getting them off again. I put some warm water on them (outside only) and wore a slightly thicker sock, and it stretched them. Now I can get them on and off no problem. I realize had I sixed up, they'd be too big now. I'm not sure if the water simply sped up the breaking in process or if it actually stretched the leather out a bit, but either way, these boots are nice and comfortable now. Hey, is it just me, or did you grow some hair really fast?
I feel like water may shrink them. I got a pair of ariats a while back and they are pretty tight on my feet now. I just bought the same exact pair and size today and they’re a bit too big. They’ve gotten wet quite a bit cause I work on a tow boat
Wet leather. That's how some Irish dancers break in their new hard shoes. Or they'll wear them with wet socks on, same concept. And adding a shoe liner or even a couple liners is the same way they fix a shoe that stretched out too much.
I tried both lambskin and Ariat insoles and they both worked for me. It also depends on how big the boots fit. It does save save you money. A local cobbler charged me $100 to re-last my boots for a smaller size. I called a boot company that starts with an L and they charge $250 to downsize. I also dipped my boots in water to make them bigger but the problem with that is that they smell funky afterwards and the counters start cracking from the inside. But I don't care I still rock them.
@@JeremiahCraig It was a way better fit but you could see very small holes where the old welt was sewn at the bottom. But I understand because they hand sew the welt instead of using machines. I was told that this company charges you $250 just in case the leather rips as it is being relasted. If it does rip they replace the vamp but use the same shaft/upper and counter. This way the company doesn't lose any $ for replacing the vamp.
I soaked a pair of ostrich boots in hot water and they in fact did shrink. I don’t think they will shrink a whole half a size but they shrunk enough to where they feel a bit tight and i have to break them in so they shape into my foot. I couldn’t fill them in with thick socks.
Hey Jeremiah! Would you happen to know what the difference is between D and E? Like say 9.5D vs 9.5E, like would it be the difference between perfectly snug (D), and hot dog in a hallway loose (E), or is it a minor kind of difference where someone could get away with wearing either or? Ultimately you gotta just try on the darn things right but, from a numbers stand point, like say millimeters of difference between D and E on the width, that thick socks would make negligible, you know what I mean? What is your experience here? Thanks for the great boot content as usual!
Hey Henry! You might have trouble finding an E width nowadays. Most companies just go straight from D to EE but I have a chart on my website that breaks it down: jeremiahcraig.com/tips-for-buying-cowboy-boots-online/ Hope it helps and thanks for watching!
Dude. I can't fit a 11 1/2 Double H. But I slip a bit it a size 12. Should I just use a different brand. Also. Waters gonna mess up you boots. I know Double H are corregated supposedly
Tie around the shaft with a shoe lace and they will be snug to your leg. I find this more comfortable and you can wear slimmer jeans without the shaft showing 👍🏽
I work as a tire tech calcium chloride shrunk the hell out of a basically brand new boots I'm going to try and stretch them one more time before I toss them
It seems odd that it is such a common solution. Doesn’t seem likely that it would not work Esp when it is espoused by bigger companies like sheplars. I need them just a little tighter. I may try a heat gun first so I don’t set my house on fire. Soaking them will be my last resort.
OMG , why just now its too late . I watched video and read article from shelpers(boot store) that once you saturated your boots and wear them with wet socks the whole day it will make your boots fit comfortably . So thats what i did , it didnt do anything good , worse thing happened was it made the wooden heel swollen ,now the heel is not aligned anymore, bec the heel is made of stock woods. It ruined my dan post boots. 😭😭
Sorry to hear that. Try an all leather boot next. Hondo or something vintage on ebay. You will do much better. I was disappointed with the Dan post boots I tried too
FYI - had 2 e-mails from TECOVA last week . the were 'trying' to tie music & cowboy boots. ? sound familiar ? i found it interesting that they are trying to nudge in to your niche. good luck . ~ JDS/CT
if you buy a pair of sendra they make the shafts so you can wear skinny jeans or strait leg they will fit perfect i have quite a few pairs of sendra cowboy boots and ther awesome for that good boot also a lttle pricey but well worth it
You can take them to a cobbler to have them stretched or just wear them til they stretch out. Here's a video I made about where they will stretch! - ruclips.net/video/JWFRBkpiPvA/видео.html
I knew that myth didn't sound like it made sense. I guess these boots that stretched 1/2 a size bigger are garbage. I've tried everything...insoles, taping an insole to the instep and shaft...nothing seems to work.
@@JeremiahCraig thanks, I just got my first pair (ariat roughstock). It’s really hard not being able to try anything in store. I have the “pop” on the right foot but seems sloppy on the left for some reason.
When I worked in the oil fields we always get leather gloves but never really fit properly. So we would get them wet and then put them on and grab the pipes from the steam generator which were a couple hundred degrees and that he would cause them to shrink up and form to our hand. We also threw them on the pipe without a hand and then they would shrink up smaller than a kids glove. So moisture with heat will definitely bring leather down in size.
I know this is an old video, but soaking the boots with water and drying them with heat will make them shrink. We soak our welding gloves and dry them with a torch while wearing them. They fit perfect after that. You would need to oil the boots afterwards of course.
I've got to say that It is fascinating your work on the interviews to the boot makers... I am catching up with the previous ones and gosh, they are good!
Thanks Wilfred! I really enjoy those interviews too. Bootmakres have such wisdom
I like my (only pair of) cowboy boots a little bigger just to have more room for my toes. Keep the great work Jeremiah 👍
911: 911,what's your emergency
me: my boots are on fire
Good info. Loving your channel!
Ever seen a cow shrink after a rain? Neither have I.
I hate when that happens
That's because the skin is still alive!
🤣🤣🤣 I've been around cows my whole life, and still love this joke.
Ever seen an idiot make an illogical response? I have.
That was the stupid thing I’ve ever heard
Ordered my first pair of cowboy boots can’t wait to get them and use them on the farm I ordered the Ariat Heritage Stockyard they seem like a good boot to me
Ariat sucks
you know I love those Olathes! Well, I have certainly got my boots wet to help stretch them out, but was sure to wear them after getting them wet so they dried naturally under the pressure of my feet. I dunno, some of my boots have kind of shrunk up after I got them too wet but didn't wear them so they would dry out on my feet. But, you are absolutely correct, some parts shrink, the toe tends to curl up, they don't fit right/hurt and look bad.
I loved the 2nd pair of boots - they are sweet man 👍
Boots or any leather shoe can be shrunk 3 things you need is
1.Shoe Last or Shoe Tree to shrink to size you need..
2.Heat gun (Hair dryer does not work)
3.Water or wet towl...
Wet your boot or leather shoe and go over with the heat gun just becareful not to burn your shoe and keep on going till you start seeing your boot slowly shink it takes time.... (Practice with old shoes you don't need)
Another great alternative to removable insoles are tongue pads. Insoles push your feet up in the boot to make it tighter tongue pads push your foot down so you can still have the hard leather insole!
I made padded kiltis .Just use two and Stich felt in between them .
Needed this comment! Thank you very much, I will be buying because of you.
This makes a lot of sense, my Tecovas get really loose in cold weather and fit well in hot weather
Boiling hot water maybe, but it will soften glue. I do like the idea of using a heat gun, soak one area of your boot like a side at a time and use the heat gun to dry the leather. But like you said, I personally use a high quality ECCO leather insole and it really allows a half size up to fit a half size down.
Thanks, just bought my first pair of cowboy boots and they are a little looser than I would like. I found that water myth and it just sounded fishy, glad I found your vid!
So happy you found it too. Congrats on your new boots. Definitely try that insert trick and see if that helps any. Thanks for watching
I sometimes buy boots just a tad too big to accommodate thick socks to improve comfort.
I'm gonna try this on my day off. Doesn't look scary or difficult at all. It's a last resort for my work boots that stretched out after they got soaked in the rain.
Did it work? I'm having the same problem with a pair of Wolverine Engineer boots that stretched in the rain...
Good video Jeremiah!
Thanks Jordan!
The way to ameliorate this issue: insoles. Ideally, leather with cork backing - but if not, then even the Scholls knockoffs that you get at your local pharmacy for $5 for two pair will work.
Good job Jeramiah
Thanks!
More than 10 years ago I bought a pair of boots that felt too big at the beginning. I have tried the water method which did not work but after wearing it for months it became snug enough. I think the main reason was that it was made of very rigid leather which got a bit wrinkled around the ankles during the months and these rigid wrinkles got formed to my feet. Now it fits like a glove. I have an other pair that is too wide but the thick insole trick did not solve the issue cause it made it snug in the wrong location.
Hey thanks for the tip on the inserts have a pair of Abilenes and they were a hair to big .
filled with water, let it soak in, then hit with heat gun. you can SEE it shrink in. Worked great. I only focused on the top part to snug up the right areas.
Bought first pair little just too big lol it works?
The water trick does work you have to let the water soak in and dry them without wearing them. I soaked mine and let them sit in the sun in Las Vegas when it was 117 degrees and they shrunk almost a whole half size. Why would you wear a pair of wet boots when you're trying to shrink them???
@@williamtalley3963 I've done this too, it does work, just let 'em dry,not wearing 'em.
Fill the boots full of water, or spray water on to it?
Do they look different? My left boot is looser than the right......wondering if they'll look different if I soak and hair dryer that left one.
Very good song. Innovative. Your information is needed out here. Keep it up. Oh, if you compose something worthy of publication, not that the boot sizing isn't, copy writr it and let us be the judge once again.
Brine water will shrink your boots dramatically. If you know any oil rig workers ask them about it. I've had 3 pairs ruined over the years. Got brine water on them and they didn't fit the next day. Shrunk a complete size down.
I work it boots all the time I found wool socks to be the most comfortable
Hi Jeremiah Craig... the human body or a individuals anatomy is roughly 70 percent head to toe water...and how water could and can be retained through mineral and fluid retention, the other 30 percent could be bone density or containment of biodegradable/organic matter,
but it all it varies from each individuals genetics, habbits,habitat,and what he or she eats according to season/trends,
But to take into consideration the gentleman that mentioned the steam process is one to be challenged, I have a pair of lucchese's I bought online that advertised to be a 11D but when it came... it was far from it being it's label, an excellent make is undeniable!
And to me, an excuse to use as a application for experimentation for my own curiosities to shrinkage science
I have and still use steam in maintaining my boots, to the extreme minor and moderate... after watching and listening carefully to your talk I feel the need to experiment on the topic of steam/leather... and utilization of other mechanical applicants, in order to get a result of shrinkage for a snug fit.... as a boxing trainer im always hands on with skins/leather if it be the living skin on a person, or the dead skins used as tools to the trade to practice and perform contact/no contact sport...where all power comes from the ground upwards...
example boxing gloves, boxing boots are there to protect, achieve, and advanced your actions in a environment of that nature...
Thanks Jeremiah for your show... independent research is fun successful or unsuccessful a lesson will be learnt... hydration or dehydration
laminate or contaminate. There's always a guarantee of a by-product. and questions that could be answered.
I like big boots...and I can not lie...
You other brothers cant deny...
This helped me, so here’s a comment and like for the algorithm 😎
Lol famous last words “don’t try this at Home” Great Video
Hubbard's shoe grease in excess and overnight on the boot dryer weekly is what I do with ariat's that I got in an 11.5 d when I didn't know better about a have a tight fit till broke in.
Can you make a video on how to tell the difference between if cowboy boots are just too small vs they just need to be broken in?
I have used water and a heat gun. Don't let the boots get too hot to touch. Then after,. Immediately recondition the leather thoroughly
I bought these online exclusive boots not cheap ..ended up being way too big so I double stacked insoles from Walmart now they fit snug as a bug
Nice one I’ve got a pair of burnt boots that are too big for me now!😖😖
In my experience water does work (about half a size).
HOT hot water soak and then direct sun dry, then when dried wear.
Does it alter the finish / look? I've got a pair of full quills......the left boot is a tad too big......wondering if they're gonna look different.
Hey Jeremiah i just got my first pair of cowboy boots and they were a little loose so i tried the insole trick and they are a little tighter. But do u know anyway to make them a little tighter any reply would be great
I have a pair of tecovas that are a smidge too large. Does he remove the original insole and replace it with the aftermarket lamb skin insole or stack it on top?
Can this be done with boots that already have removable insoles. Like stacking a cheap insole under your good one?
I jus t had to get some leather insoles for my Hondo's. They are a lil big around the vamp but fit good around the toe. The insole makes them feel just right.
I have soaked boots in water and put them in the sun for a few days and it shrunk the boots and the fit tighter on my foot.
I hope 1000%+ my Cabela's never shrink!! I love them to death!! Huge Inspo, you are bud!!
Thanks Andrew!
My new boots got locked in storage when I went aboard ship and then overseas for a total of six years. Long story short, they are too small now, so I'm thinking about the "soaking them in water and wearing them until they dry" tactic. My question is will my snake scales be damaged/fall off by doing this? Love your site.
Great content! I just fixed my RM Williams with a heat gun. Much appreciated!!
Were your's just a bit too stretched out??
Mine stretched when I put an insole in and now they wrinkle when I walk.
Did the heat gun fix you problem similar to this? Thanks bro
I'm in the same boat, my driving foot boot has stretched out making the boot look weird when standing.. but my resting foot sits and fits perfect still. So I really only need to shrink the right boot -.-
@@thomasjefferson6334 my right foot is slightly smaller than my left?foot, and the right boot was slightly roomier than the left boot, so the right boot felt loose. Applying heat gun worked as a temporary fix, the heat made the boot snug, but it did dry the leather surface and I left a few marks. So be careful!
@@dirtroads.sandycoves man I'm totally in the same situation. I even feel the right boot is slightly bigger than the left, so the problem seemed more prominent.
@@godhby thank you!
I thought my boots were shrinking. But I've always had super high arches. With age, my arches have started to flatten out. Now I'm a half size to a full shoe size bigger than I used to be, depending on the brand. I got my Tony Lamas like 25 years ago, and even after getting them stretched, they are still too tight. Bums me out cuz they are my favorite.
Thicker socks. I was gifted by my bride a pair of Tecova Midlands, and they said they would happily replace but I just decided it wasn’t worth the small size difference. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll change the insert to a Ariat wide toe? It’ll work out.
Hi Jeremiah how are you Jeremiah I have a question how can I shrink my suede cowboy boots it's slightly big is there any way.
i tried the ariat ones but they didnt seem to do anything at all. i got them the same size of the boot is that the problem?
Dustin is great! He is currently working on a pair for me.
That's awesome!! He's such a cool guy
Insoles work well but the caveat is that it raises the heel so it slips outta the heel cup of the Boot and your heel slips up and down lol I’ve had that happen on a few pair and just had to pass them on to someone and get my correct size, it’s a bummer if you found an amazing deal like I did.
Twisted X is the best shaped boot for wide feet
I got mine wet from washing the backyard down, let them dry in 90 degree weather and the next day the had become noticeably tighter. Double H was the brand..
Right! I have a pair of double h as well. Soak them in hot water and let them sit outside in Vegas when it was 117 outside. Shrunk almost a whole half size. I get that nice snug pop when I put them on now. Double H excellent boot built to last forever. I truly didn't want to return them. Water trick worked great. Why would you wear wet boots when you're trying to shrink them. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that theory. Let them shrink and then break them in again.
thanks to you and will talley...i have an ebay pair of almost brand new double H which are almost a half size too big...so i fully soaked in hot water (which cooled a bit by the time i was done) for 45min, and with all this talk of heat, will put them in the bathroom with the heater turned on, but not right in front. hope that will work because, as you said, these are too nice to never wear again...double H are great. for $40 i spent on them i will roll the dice.
Thank you for making this video before I ruined my new pair of Tecovas!!! Was thinking about using the water technique. I tried on an 8.5 and 9 and the 8.5 was just too small length wise. The 9 is great except the vamp/instep is just a bit loose and the leather sags and doesn't look too good. Ordered these insoles and hoping they do the trick.
Fingers crossed! Thanks for watching and congrats on your new Tecovas!
so did they work?
I just got a pair of Cody James for $20. For the most part, they fit but they are big above the arch. (I think it's called the vamp) Is there a way to shrink just the vamp? I think it is a style choice for CJ but I'm not a fan of the look but for 20 I couldn't just leave them. I'm thinking I should bring them to a boot place and get them taken in. Don't know if that's very cost-effective tho. I could just wear them as they are. They are comfortable, they just don't look amazing. What would you suggest? I don't want to shrink the entire boot but after seeing your video I'm thinking I could shrink the entire boot then stretch them back to fit my foot again.
As I said, I'd really appreciate your opinion on this. I've been watching your videos off and on for about two years at this point. I impulse bought a pair of Laredos on sale (about two years ago) and came to youtube to check out reviews to see if I overpaid. That's when I found your channel. I've loved boots ever since. Originally I thought it would be annoying to maintain leather boots but now I really enjoy buffing and conditioning them. In fact, this Cody James boot makes it the fifth pair I own.
You know aehy've done a few winters in motorcycle boots, water wrecks them, you stretch leather you're stressing the seamwork same with shrinking leather
I heard the water thing, but the way I heard it involved a hairdryer
Sadly i got a size too big i wear two pair of thicker socks but i want them so the tips arnt a inch long
I shrunk my leather boots by accident by falling into a river, then drying them by the campfire over night, they shrunk to size 3, so water and heat will shrink leather
Wet boots left too close to a campfire shrink. And look like hell. I actually have a pair of Finnish jackboots that did shrink up probably from a situation like that and it was a helluva time getting them back into shape.
For the record I was not the one that cooked them.
Its not gonna form to nothing because its just soaking it for days and drying. It wont be stretched it at all because like i said its just soaking. It could work tho
Is it normal if my heel starts to slip up when I walk?
Well, I was having a devil of a time putting my new boots on, and then getting them off again. I put some warm water on them (outside only) and wore a slightly thicker sock, and it stretched them. Now I can get them on and off no problem. I realize had I sixed up, they'd be too big now. I'm not sure if the water simply sped up the breaking in process or if it actually stretched the leather out a bit, but either way, these boots are nice and comfortable now. Hey, is it just me, or did you grow some hair really fast?
This was recorded before I cut my hair. I have much more content like this too so it's about to be a really confusing time haha
My boots are always too big around my calf
I feel like water may shrink them. I got a pair of ariats a while back and they are pretty tight on my feet now. I just bought the same exact pair and size today and they’re a bit too big. They’ve gotten wet quite a bit cause I work on a tow boat
Wet leather. That's how some Irish dancers break in their new hard shoes. Or they'll wear them with wet socks on, same concept. And adding a shoe liner or even a couple liners is the same way they fix a shoe that stretched out too much.
I tried both lambskin and Ariat insoles and they both worked for me. It also depends on how big the boots fit. It does save save you money. A local cobbler charged me $100 to re-last my boots for a smaller size. I called a boot company that starts with an L and they charge $250 to downsize. I also dipped my boots in water to make them bigger but the problem with that is that they smell funky afterwards and the counters start cracking from the inside. But I don't care I still rock them.
$100 for a relast isn't bad at all IMO. $250 sounds more normal. How was the fit on the $100 relast?
@@JeremiahCraig It was a way better fit but you could see very small holes where the old welt was sewn at the bottom. But I understand because they hand sew the welt instead of using machines. I was told that this company charges you $250 just in case the leather rips as it is being relasted. If it does rip they replace the vamp but use the same shaft/upper and counter. This way the company doesn't lose any $ for replacing the vamp.
I soaked a pair of ostrich boots in hot water and they in fact did shrink. I don’t think they will shrink a whole half a size but they shrunk enough to where they feel a bit tight and i have to break them in so they shape into my foot. I couldn’t fill them in with thick socks.
Heat Gun. Get it good and hot and then stick them into the fridge for a half hour and rapidly cool them
Hey Jeremiah! Would you happen to know what the difference is between D and E? Like say 9.5D vs 9.5E, like would it be the difference between perfectly snug (D), and hot dog in a hallway loose (E), or is it a minor kind of difference where someone could get away with wearing either or? Ultimately you gotta just try on the darn things right but, from a numbers stand point, like say millimeters of difference between D and E on the width, that thick socks would make negligible, you know what I mean? What is your experience here? Thanks for the great boot content as usual!
Hey Henry! You might have trouble finding an E width nowadays. Most companies just go straight from D to EE but I have a chart on my website that breaks it down: jeremiahcraig.com/tips-for-buying-cowboy-boots-online/
Hope it helps and thanks for watching!
I tried it with hair spray and a match. 😅 i was cautious but it didn’t seem to work out
Dude. I can't fit a 11 1/2 Double H. But I slip a bit it a size 12. Should I just use a different brand. Also. Waters gonna mess up you boots. I know Double H are corregated supposedly
I'm just trying to figure out how to make the shaft of the boot slimmer. So I can have more varieties of jeans to wear.
Same
Same same
Tie around the shaft with a shoe lace and they will be snug to your leg. I find this more comfortable and you can wear slimmer jeans without the shaft showing 👍🏽
I work as a tire tech calcium chloride shrunk the hell out of a basically brand new boots I'm going to try and stretch them one more time before I toss them
Cheapest ways would be to get a nice pair of thick socks or a insert.
What if they are too long, but not too wide?
I know salt brine does it . Working in a salt factory got some on my glove it shrunk so fast . Then I couldn't even get my hand in the glove
This may sound weird but I actually like my boots to be a little too big for comfort sake.
There's nothing wrong with that!
Yea give a little room to your feet ..thats a healthy way
What about ostrich or other exotics?
Would a hairdryer work?
Have you ever actually tried this? I have, and it 100% worked!
Yep tried it. Didn't work for me
It seems odd that it is such a common solution. Doesn’t seem likely that it would not work Esp when it is espoused by bigger companies like sheplars. I need them just a little tighter. I may try a heat gun first so I don’t set my house on fire. Soaking them will be my last resort.
@@andylundberg5097 Did it work?
@@JeffreyFemmel321 i think they did snug up some nothing drastic and nothing I could say for sure wasnt "in my head"
I could add some steel guitar to that jam at the end if you like ;)
I'm always down to collab on some music! Email me jeremiah.craig@jeremiahcraig.com
What leather inserts do you use
Fire! Fire! 🔥🤣
OMG , why just now its too late . I watched video and read article from shelpers(boot store) that once you saturated your boots and wear them with wet socks the whole day it will make your boots fit comfortably . So thats what i did , it didnt do anything good , worse thing happened was it made the wooden heel swollen ,now the heel is not aligned anymore, bec the heel is made of stock woods. It ruined my dan post boots. 😭😭
Sorry to hear that. Try an all leather boot next. Hondo or something vintage on ebay. You will do much better. I was disappointed with the Dan post boots I tried too
How much do you think it will cost for heel repair?
A pair of boots were left outside and the boots curled up any suggestions
Condition them like crazy and wear the hell out of them
Condition them, throw a shoe tree in them.
Ok👍
Aye. I made it in the video
Hell yeah. Good stuff
Did the clothes steamer actually work?
I wear 12D’s and got a deal on a pair of Lucchesee 12EE. Just too big in the arch. What do you suggest?
Try adding an insole in to fill out that space
FYI - had 2 e-mails from TECOVA last week . the were 'trying' to tie music & cowboy boots. ? sound familiar ? i found it interesting that they are trying to nudge in to your niche. good luck . ~ JDS/CT
I saw those too. It's been part of their strategy for awhile... they just seem to be pushing it more now though. Still I say bring it
@@JeremiahCraig have they reached out to you for a partnership with boots & songs ? i know you have done reviews on tecovas. ok JC stay safe. ~ JDS/CT
No usually I reach out to them for collabs. I'm always down to though
What about shrinking the shaft @jeremiahCraig?
To fit under jeans? You can use a string or shoe lace to tie it down to fit under jeans better
oh, and like you channel...
Any advice to shrink the shaft of the boots? I have skinny calves and they don’t fit very flush
Try tying up the shaft with a shoe lace. It might warp the leather a bit over time but it won't show through your jeans
Wear long socks and pull it up and over the shaft works great for me
if you buy a pair of sendra they make the shafts so you can wear skinny jeans or strait leg they will fit perfect i have quite a few pairs of sendra cowboy boots and ther awesome for that good boot also a lttle pricey but well worth it
@@JeremiahCraig I got some new boots. Got some ariat square toes. And it was because I was wearing EEs and I wear Ds
I will just put fabric in my boot lol
Had a pair of boots that got wet on inside one time.. put them in oven on low.. went from size 9 to a 7🤣🤣🤣
Can I turn a 9EE to a 9D
You can watch the video at 1.5x speed , it’ll save you time
What if they are a little small?
You can take them to a cobbler to have them stretched or just wear them til they stretch out. Here's a video I made about where they will stretch! - ruclips.net/video/JWFRBkpiPvA/видео.html
I knew that myth didn't sound like it made sense.
I guess these boots that stretched 1/2 a size bigger are garbage. I've tried everything...insoles, taping an insole to the instep and shaft...nothing seems to work.
What is an appropriate amount of heel slip?
The width of a finger or two
@@JeremiahCraig thanks, I just got my first pair (ariat roughstock). It’s really hard not being able to try anything in store. I have the “pop” on the right foot but seems sloppy on the left for some reason.
Montana