Leather boots too tight at top!

[Carlos's Mum]

Fetched my Konigs out of cupboard. After about 5 years. Oh dear I've got big everywhere!! Especially my calves. Any tips for stretching as they do not have zips. Love the boots and can't replace them anyway. Boot trees are now at full stretch. Advice please.

 

[milliepops]

you can get stretching spray but tbh i would send them off to a good cobbler and get a little bit of leather inserted along one of the seams. you could also have elastic if you wanted a bit of give. A friend bought some 2nd hand and had this done as she couldn't buy the right size off the peg and it's a very neat job.

 

[Carlos's Mum]

Do you know the name of the cobblers please. I have looked on line and they all seem to be into stretching of the foot area of either boots or shoes.

 

[eggs]

Years ago when I had the same problem with my Cavallos (the ones with the whale bone stiffener up the back) the cobbler in Amersham put in a narrow leather strip up the back seam. Unfortunately I don't think they are still in business. A saddle maker may be able to do it ?

 

[milliepops]

i haven't personally used these but this one pops up regularly on FB
https://www.facebook.com/ABleatherUK/

 

[Carlos's Mum]

Mine has whalebone down the back. Don't think AB leathers do that. Sort of alteration but I've email them to find out…

 

[Skib]

I dont wear my long boots when my weight is above a certain number. I want to lose 7lbs. But mine do zip up and I would have an eleastic panel inserted. Just never thought of it.

When OH's riding boots needed stitching I took them to a London cobbler who advertised handbag repairs. Stitching leather neatly is not the same as putting on heels and soles.

 

[cariadbach10]

Find a cobbler with a stretching machine for long boots- they’re few and far between but they are out there! Also, get some stretch spray and put them in the airing cupboard. Use a coat hanger to get them on and then wear them for half an hour every day. I find it’s easier to get them on if the boots are warm and your legs are cold.

 

[Northern Hare]

I'm not sure where abouts you are, but if you're near London then Schneider Riding Boots in Clifford Street W1 (nr Bond Street) certainly used to offer a boot stretching service.

Alternatively, Star Cobblers in Barnard Castle (on the high street near to Specsavers (as visited by Dominic Cummings!). They're excellent, they offer a postal service and I'm sure they'd be able to assist! ?

 

[Carlos's Mum]

Had a look at Star Cobblers and remembered they replaced the zips in my old Mountain horse boots years ago. Will contact them and see what they can do. Thank you all.

 

[cauda equina]

I had some long boots stretched by Woolcroft Saddlery near Wisbech

 

[Keith_Beef]

Find a cobbler with a stretching machine for long boots- they’re few and far between but they are out there!

I got the shafts of my Soubirac boots stretched out by the shoe and boot maker in town. The process is to wet the leather completely, put a stretching device inside and turn a screw to force the parts of the device outwards against the inside of the shaft, then turn the screw a bit more each day until the shaft reaches the desired size.



I think that it took two weeks to stretch them out and then another week to slowly dry.

The same man advises putting talc inside the shaft of each boot to make it easier to get them on and off.

 

[Carlos's Mum]

Can you buy the stretcher itself. Expect they are expensive though?

 

[Orangehorse]

Ha, ha. I remember getting out my leather boots for a show and - OMG they are too tight. Wore thin pop socks and put lots of talc powder so I could slide them on.

I kept remembering that medical condition called "hunter's knee" when they wore too tight boots which cut off the circulation!

 

[Keith_Beef]

Can you buy the stretcher itself. Expect they are expensive though?

The picture in my post above has a link to a supplier in Alfdorf, Germany: €320.

 

[spacefaer]

I bought a lovely pair of Konigs which fitted beautifully .... Untill I did rising trot ? discovered this when warming up for my first dressage test wearing them and they gripped me firmly around the calf as my leg muscles flexed. I couldn't feel my toes by half way through the test and nothing below the ankle by the time I halted at X. It was interesting trying to get off!

 

[Carlos's Mum]

Had my Konigs for ever and look pretty good still. Have had new soles and heels but I have got older and much chunkier over time. They don't give an inch but were always comfortable. Couldn't ever buy them these days I'm afraid. Had a few years away from comps but this horse is ready to go and I want to go with him. Might end up wearing my mountain horse with trusty zips!