How to stretch Dansko shoes

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 28, 2010

I don't think there is a way. I bought my first pair in the store and had to go back multiple times because they were too narrow, despite the clerk fitting me and choosing the size. They "stretched" them twice but in the end, I went up a size.

Mommy&RN, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2010

Every pair is hand made, so every pair fits differently. I have heard you can get a shoe stretcher, but haven't looked in to it myself.

lvICU · Mar 28, 2010

They are handmade so it is hard to go by a specific size. You may need to send back and size up. That being said, mine usually "stretch" a little after normal wear and tare. I love my danskos. Hope you can get them feeling good on your feet.

Sparrow23 · Mar 28, 2010

Just an FYI: Danskos are now made in China... really doubt they are hand-made (well, the way I think of something hand-made anyhow). Dansko used to be owned by Sanita. Sanita still makes the original "Dansko" shoe. (Not that it really matters much, just an FYI :rolleyes: )

freefalr · Mar 28, 2010

haven't tried it myself, but have heard (maybe on allnurses?) of putting ziploc bag of water in shoe, putting shoe in freezer. when water freezes, shoe expands...

sheesh, it sounds really silly as i'm typing it! :)

i wear danskos too & for me, they stretch to the comfy point after about 2 weeks of wear. i wear a 39 & have tried 40's, but they're just too big after they've stretched.

hope your feet feel good soon!

suni, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2010

I am waiting for Dansko's to arrive, my first pair ordered from zappos so I am hopint they are as good as everyone says

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 28, 2010

Try to return them if you can--unless they were custom-made for you, most places will let you exchange them for a different size.

If you can't return them...I also find that most leather shoes will stretch to fit after some use. Wear really thick socks the first few times you wear them. You could also buy a shoe stretcher at Target and use it whenever you're not wearing them.

Also try using some alcohol on the shoes while you are wearing/stretching them --it helps it stretch easier...however there's always the risk the alcohol could ruin the leather, so if you opt for this, do so at your own risk.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2010

Not too sure that you can significantly stretch them. I've had mine 2 years (and they STILL look brand new) and the have only stretched a tiny amount. I can only wear certain socks with them as a thicker sock makes them very tight across the top of my foot. But that doesn't bother me as I tend to wear a thinner sock while working anyway..a heavy sock just feels bulky and makes my feet sweat too much.

gtoko · Mar 28, 2010

I wore thicker socks at first.

RhiaRN75, RN · Mar 28, 2010

If you have a shoe repair shop near you, they can stretch them. A few men's speciality stores- the small locally owned men's wear type- may be able to as well. I would guess some types of leather, like the box leather, wouldn't stretch well.

If you know someone willing to suffer for you that has a larger foot then you do you could try having them wear them for a few hours.

I bought a pair of Danskos several years ago when they were still made by Sanita that were a bit too small. (Out of state for about $25- no way I could return them.) They are the oiled leather type. I eventually stuffed them with damp socks and tumbled them in the dryer to get them warm. Then I pushed the socks to the toe area, forced my poor feet in them, and walked around painfully for a bit while at home. I did this several times and eventually they stretched enough to be comfortable. My second toe is longer then my big toe, so I was just trying to get enough room for it to fit.

jess~n~kids · Mar 28, 2010

I have one that is too tight across the top of my foot. The other fits just fine. I've been wearing them for about 4 weeks now and it hasn't improved. I guess it's time to look into a shoe repair shop and hope they can stretch it for me.