Last Christmas, my girlfriend presented me with a pair of my long-desired shoes. However, the shoe turned out to be a size bigger; sad, wasn’t it? However, my friend told me to take it to a cobbler, and my immediate quizzical reply was – can a cobbler make shoes smaller?
Yes, a cobbler can make shoes smaller – to a limit. The common misconception is cobblers are experts at repairing and resizing shoes, so they must make shoes smaller from scratch. However, this is not the case; a cobbler can make shoes smaller if you provide a pair of correctly-sized shoes to work.
Let’s read details about shoe resizing by the cobbler.
Can A Cobbler Make Shoes Smaller?
It is an old riddle that has been around for many years. The answer is yes, a cobbler can make shoes smaller, but the shoes need to be big up to a specific limit.
Cobblers can do repairs and alterations to shoes, but they cannot make them smaller if they are too big. The construction of shoes involves multiple parts that work together, and removing or shrinking one part of the shoe would cause it not to fit correctly anymore.
Often cobblers can make shoes smaller by trimming them at the heel and sides. Interestingly, they also can make the whole shoe smaller up to a specific extent using some tricks and tips.
However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you need to resize your shoes from a cobbler.
- First, the cobbler may not be able to make the shoes as small as you want them to be.
- They may also not be able to make the shoes as narrow as you want them to be.
- Additionally, the cobbler may not be able to make the shoes as high as you want them to be.
Therefore, if you are looking for a cobbler, you must do your research before having your shoes resized.
Can A Cobbler Resize A Shoe?
This question is very close to can a cobbler make shoes smaller! However, the difference is-resizing of the shoes, means-both smaller and larger. So, it depends on the cobbler’s level of experience and the shoe’s construction.
There are a few ways to resize a shoe. A cobbler can stretch the shoe by pounding it with a hammer, or they can cut it and then glue it back together. Cobbler also can add an insert to make the shoe bigger.
When the cobbler pounds the shoe with a hammer, they are actually stretching the leather. This process is done by hitting the shoe in areas that are too tight.
The cobbler usually starts by putting the shoe on his foot and then pounding it with a hammer. He hits the shoe in the areas around the toes, the heel, and the sides of the shoe.
Sometimes a cobbler can stretch or shrink a shoe by using heat or water, but it is not always possible, and it can be risky. If the shoes are made from a very stiff or inflexible material, they may not be able to be resized effectively.
If you have a pair of shoes that don’t quite fit, you don’t have to get rid of them. You can take them to a cobbler and have them stretched or resized. It may be a little bit expensive, but it’s cheaper than buying a new pair of shoes.
How Can A Cobbler Make Shoes Smaller?
There are a few ways to make shoes smaller. Take the insole out of the shoe and replace it with a thinner one. A cobbler can cut the heel of the shoe too!
Additionally, adding a gel pad and a heel grip also make the smaller shoe more comfortable for the user.
Here we will describe all the easy ways a cobbler can follow to make your shoes smaller.
1. Taking The Insole Out Of the Shoe And Replace It With A Thinner One
If you are having trouble finding shoes that fit, you may consider a cobbler to take the insole out of the shoe. They will make the shoe smaller, and it may fit better on your foot. Be sure to ask the cobbler if they have experience doing this before you have it done, as it can be tricky to do correctly.
There are many benefits to taking the insole out of your shoe and replacing it with a thinner one. It can make your shoes feel tighter and snugger on your feet. It is a great way to make a pair of shoes feel custom-made just for you.
Additionally, replacing the insole can make your shoes feel lighter and more comfortable to wear. If you are looking for a way to make your shoes feel more comfortable, or if you want to make them feel smaller, then replacing the insole is definitely the way to go.
2. Cut Down The Heel Of The Shoe To Make It Smaller
You might find that the heel of your shoe is just a little too tall. It can make the shoe challenging to wear and can even cause discomfort. If this is the case for you, then there is a way to cut down the shoe’s heel to make it smaller.
As it turns out, there is a way to do this. You can go to a cobbler to cut down the shoe’s heel to make it smaller. This is a service they offer, and it can be a great way to make your shoes more comfortable to wear.
3. Adding A Gel Pad And A Heel Grip
Once your cobbler makes your shoe smaller, you can do a few things to make your shoe more comfortable. Add a gel pad to the bottom of the shoe. It will provide cushioning and make it more comfortable to walk in. Add a heel grip. It will help keep the foot in place and stop sliding inside the shoe.
How can I fix shoes that are too big?
What can you do to make your shoes smaller if you do not find a cobbler nearby you? You can do a couple of things to make your shoes smaller if you don’t have a cobbler nearby.
- The first thing you can do is take out the insole. It will often make the shoe a little bit smaller.
- If that doesn’t work, you can also try cutting the insole down to size.
- If that still doesn’t work, you can try wrapping the shoe around your ankle. It will make it tighter and hopefully a bit smaller.
- You also can try stretching the shoes by filling them with water and then freezing them.
- To add to it, try stuffing the shoes with crumpled-up newspaper.
- If neither of those methods works, we recommend trying to cut the shoe’s insole with a sharp knife.
Factors Need To Consider Making Shoes Smaller
There are a few factors to consider when trying to make shoes smaller. One is the shape of the shoe. If it is an open-toe shoe, it can be made smaller by narrowing the toe area. Shoes with a closed toe can be smaller by taking in the sides and narrowing the heel.
Another thing to consider is the type of material the shoe is made from. Leather or suede can be easily trimmed, while cloth or vinyl cannot. If a shoe is too large, it is best to take it to a cobbler and have them make the necessary adjustments.
Another factor to consider when trying to make shoes smaller is the width of the shoe. If the shoe is too wide, it is difficult to make it smaller. The height of the heel also is essential. If the heel is too high, it is also difficult to make the shoe smaller.
FAQs:
- Can Cobblers Make Shoes Tighter?
Cobblers can make shoes tighter by adding a layer of material to the outside of the shoe, but this may make the shoes less comfortable to wear. They can also make shoes tighter by sewing the uppers more tightly to the soles, which may damage the shoes over time. Ultimately, it depends on the specific needs of the customer and the cobbler’s ability to meet them.
- Can You Alter Shoes To Make Them Smaller?
Generally speaking, most shoes can make smaller by taking out the insole and replacing it with a thinner one. Or it also can proceed by removing some of the material from the shoe itself. However, it is important to bear in mind that not all shoes can be successfully altered in this way, so it is always best to consult a professional before attempting any kind of alteration.
- Can you fix the shoes that are too big?
One way is to take the insole out of the shoe and replace it with a thinner insole. Another way is to remove some paddings in the shoe’s heel and toe. You can also take the laces out of the shoe and replace them with thinner laces.
However, you can use a shoe stretcher. This device will help you to stretch the shoe out. Use KevenAnna Shoe Stretcher, perfect for shoes too small, squeeze feet, grinding feet, tight shoes, and other issues.
You can also use a shoe shrinking kit to make the shoe smaller. You can try Vowcarol Shoe Shrink Wrap Bags for a foolproof result.
- Can a shoe size be reduced?
It depends on the make and model of the shoe and the width and size of the foot. Some shoes can alter to make them smaller, while others cannot. It is always best to consult with a shoe specialist to get an accurate assessment.
Verdict
Are you still considering “can a cobbler make shoes smaller?” – the answer is yes, they can. However, they can do it to a specific limit of big. Besides, you have to get a a pair of shoes that perfectly fit your feet.
However, if your feet are on the wide side, or you’ve just had a growth spurt, and your old shoes are now too tight, a cobbler can take them in and make them fit like new. This service is usually available for a small fee, and it’s definitely worth it if you don’t want to have to buy a whole new pair of shoes.
