How To Make Rain Boots More Comfortable?

How To Make Rain Boots More Comfortable featured photo

If you recently bought a pair of rain boots, you know it can keep your feet dry. However, when you tried it on, the boot fitted too tightly around your calves or toes. Comfort should be a top concern when wearing rain boots, so we’ll share some tips on how to improve the fit of your shoes.

To make rain boots more comfortable, you can try to freeze or heat them. The extreme temperatures can stretch the boot material, which lets the shoes adjust to your foot size. Or you can use a boot stretcher to loosen the stiff upper part of the footwear.  

Below, we’ll look into the different ways to improve the fit of the rain boots. We’ll also answer some of your frequently asked questions about rain boots.

How To Make Rain Boots More Comfortable?

If you want to make your rain boots as comfortable as possible, you must follow the steps below.

Freeze Your Rain Boots

Freeze Your Rain Boots

Freezing rain boots is one of the most effective ways to stretch them for comfort. 

Before you start, make sure your shoes are clean. Use a damp cloth to remove dirt and scuff marks.

Once the boots are clean, pour water into a ziplock bag or a plastic bag. Tie it to ensure no water leaks in your footwear. Place this bag inside the rain boots, preferably in the toe area, for successful shoe stretching.

Next, put the rain boots inside a plastic container before leaving them in the freezer. Doing so prevents food contamination.

Then, wait several hours for the water in the bag to cool and become ice. As it freezes, it expands and stretches the inside of the rain boots.

You can remove the rain boots any time after the water freezes. However, wait for the ice to thaw before pulling the bags of frozen water from each boot.

Avoid leaving the shoes in the freezer for more than four days because it may cause the rubber to crack.

If you feel the rain boots aren’t comfortable enough, you can try the freezing method again for further stretching.

Heat the Rain Boots

Heat the Rain Boots

Heating is another way to make the rain boots more comfortable. You’ll need a blow dryer, a heat lamp, or a heat gun.

Similar to the freezing method, cleaning rain boots is a must before stretching them out.

Wear thick socks and put on the clean boots. The thick material helps stretch out the natural rubber material once you introduce heat.

If the boots are so tight that wearing a pair of thick socks is impossible, choose thin socks instead.

After slipping into the boots, turn on your preferred heating device. 

When using a blow dryer, set it to a medium or high heat. Hold it around six to eight inches away from the shoes. And make sure to move the blow dryer over different areas to loosen the rubber material. You can focus on particularly tight areas, such as the toe or the heel, to ensure they fit more comfortably. Avoid heating the boots for longer than 30 minutes at a time. The last thing you want is to melt the upper material of the footwear.

If you have a blow dryer or a heat lamp, set the temperature to around 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect the hot air to expand the boots for comfortable wear and walking. Be sure to heat the rubber evenly. But if the toe area feels narrower than usual, feel free to spend more time warming that part. 

Use a Boot Stretcher

Use a Boot Stretcher

You can also invest in boot stretchers to make your rain boots more comfortable to wear. They are made with a wood or metal block that changes the shape of the boots. 

Place the boot stretcher inside the rain boot. Slide it all the way into the shoe to ensure it’s in the toe area.

Once it’s fully inserted, rotate the handle clockwise to open the boot stretcher. Continue rotating it until you feel it is really tight against the inside of the rain boots. Give it at least two or three turns to stretch out the rubber. That said, avoid rotating it more than six times because the material may tear apart if you’re not careful.

Leave the boot stretcher inside your footwear for eight hours or more. Doing so gradually stretches the material without causing any damage. Keep the rain boots upright to maintain their shape. 

After several hours, you can remove the boot stretcher. Simply turn the handle counterclockwise to loosen or close it. If you can’t rotate it anymore, you can easily slide the closed boot stretcher out of the rain boot. Try the shoes on to see if it becomes more comfortable.

Repeat the steps on the other rubber boot. Note that it may take two to three overnight stretches to get extra space on your shoes.

If you don’t plan on wearing the footwear anytime soon, it is best to stuff newspaper inside. Doing so helps the boots retain their stretch.

Consider Stretching Liquids

If your natural rubber rain boots refuse to expand, consider applying stretching liquids. These use a specialized formula to permanently soften shoes.

You can buy a commercial product or make your own stretching liquid. You can use many chemicals, but avoid those with harmful side effects. 

If you want to go the DIY way, we recommend mixing aloe vera gel and glycerin. Combine one tablespoon of aloe vera with one tablespoon of glycerin in a bowl. Add warm water before mixing the ingredients thoroughly. Pour the stretching liquid into a spray bottle.

Next, wear thick socks before putting on the rain boots. Alternatively, you can simply insert shoe stretchers into the footwear.

Then, spray the stretch liquid over the exterior of the rain boots. If you’re wearing the shoes, flex your foot every time the material is saturated with the chemicals. When using a boot stretcher, turn the dial clockwise to open it up and stretch the material. You can even apply the formula inside the boots. 

If the liquid begins to run off the rain boots, stop the application and wipe off the excess product using a clean cloth. Wait for a few hours to soften the rubber. If you have a shoe stretcher, you can leave it overnight or at least eight hours for maximum stretch.

Wait for the boots to dry before trying them on. See if they fit better after using the stretching liquid. If not, you can repeat the process two to three times.

Bring the Rain Boots to a Professional Cobbler

Don’t have time to stretch the rain boots yourself? Or maybe, you’re just scared to mess up your shoes. If so, you can take the footwear to a professional cobbler.

Simply tell them you want your rain boots to be comfortable to wear. If you bought the right shoe size, expect the cobbler to know what to do. They will be familiar with the type of boots you have. They will also have access to specialized tools and materials for stretching the shoes.

But if you accidentally purchased a size that’s too small, the cobbler will suggest buying bigger boots. Although they can stretch small shoes, these boots still wouldn’t fit you because they aren’t the correct size.

Be prepared to pay a premium for professional services, though. But if you could save time and effort with a cobbler, they may be worth the expense.

Wear The Rain Boots for a Few Hours Every Day

Wear The Rain Boots for a Few Hours Every Day

The last method to stretch rubber rain boots and make them comfortable is to wear them out. 

Use thick socks to expand the shoes and protect your feet from possible blisters. 

Wear the rain boots inside your home. Then, walk for a few hours. Do this every day to stretch the rain boot material.

Do You Have To Break In Rubber Boots?

Unlike leather hiking boots, new rain boots may seem inflexible. But over time, they can conform and mold to your feet. You simply need to break them in before using them for long walks or extended periods. You can try any of our suggested methods above to make the rain boots more comfortable to wear.

How Many Times Can I Stretch My Rubber Boots?

Although rubber boots are durable, they can tear if you stretch them too much. It’s important to know the maximum number of times you can expand them before losing elasticity.

In general, you can stretch a pair of rain boots four to five times before breaking down and becoming useless. However, you should always check the material for signs of wear or aging. Repeated attempts to further stretch the boots can lead to irreparable damage.

When in doubt, check the care guidelines of the boot manufacturer. You’ll learn that some boots are more resistant to stretching than others.

What To Do if Your Rubber Boots Are Too Loose?

If you find your rubber boots too loose for your liking, you can try several things to improve the overall fit. 

First, consider wearing thick socks to make the rain boots fit snugly. These can also prevent slippage and painful blisters.

If the fit is still loose, you can insert thick insoles to make the boots more comfortable to wear. The insoles also help enhance grip and comfort for extended periods.

You can also use special boot inserts or pads. Simply place them inside the boots to reduce shoe space and offer a more secure fit.

Is the heel area roomier compared to the other spots of the boots? If yes, add heel cushions or grips to eliminate the gap between the shoes and your foot.

You can even check your rain boots for adjustable or removable liners. Once they have this feature, it’s as simple as tightening or replacing the liners to make the shoes more comfortable. 

If the above methods don’t work, your last resort is to take the rain boots to a professional cobbler. Expect them to adjust the overall fit or suggest other solutions based on the specific design of your footwear.

Conclusion

Rain boots are among the best footwear for rainy or inclement weather. However, they should fit comfortably to prevent slippage and other accidents. 

Fortunately, you can try several ways to make rain boots more comfortable to wear. The most popular methods include freezing and heating the shoes. You can also use a boot stretcher to loosen the material. If these don’t work, you can always take the boots to a professional cobbler.

Do you have other questions about rain boots? Visit our contact page to send your queries!