The Best Shoe Stretchers for Men

Eachway Shoe Stretcher

Eachway Stretches Every Way

It's all in the name with Eachway's plastic trees: they can stretch the length, width, instep, and high-pressure points of your shoes.

Best Overall

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Whether your new shoes are too tight or your old ones are losing shape, slide these Eachway shoe stretchers in and let them work their magic. While the toe portion of this tree can stretch the width of your shoe, the adjustable heel catcher can help stretch the instep and overall length. You can clip on the small pressure point modules to ensure that friction-prone areas of your shoe stay supple and crease-free. With an ABS plastic and steel construction, these stretchers are bound to give you plenty of years of use, so long as you tree-t them well. (We couldn’t help it.)

Pros:

• Multidirectional stretching
• Attachable modules for pressure point relief
• Purchase includes shoehorn and carrying case

Cons:

• Only suitable for men’s sizes 10–13.5

Lanney Pair of 4-way Shoe Stretcher

Slide in and Widen

Check out these shoe stretchers from Lanney if your wide feet are prone to being suffocated by narrow shoes.

Best for Wide Feet

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If you have feet that are too wide for narrow shoes but too narrow for wide shoes, you might benefit from these shoe stretchers from Lanney. A smooth plastic construction ensures damage-free insertion and removal, while the spring-loaded toe portion expands to give your shoes a nudge in the right direction. Lanney includes 12 “bunion plugs” of varying sizes for those pressure point areas, along with a shoehorn and carrying case. The differently colored models correspond to shoe size ranges, so you should be able to find the perfect fit for your footwear. There may not be a functional way to shrink shoes, but making a little extra wiggle room is a cinch for these stretchers.

Pros:

• Toe portion widens up to 5.2 inches to adequately stretch shoes
• 12 bunion plugs allow for detailed, specific expansion
• Lanney offers a range of sizes to accommodate various shoes

Cons:

• Sturdy hold may damage shoe if stretched too tightly or left for too long

Stratton Cedar Shoe Stretcher

Making Your Dad Proud

The timeless and practical cedar construction of these shoe stretchers will impress the "old man" in all of us.

Best Classic

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Stratton’s shoe stretchers are about as classic as they come. Made of 100% red cedarwood, they’re naturally aromatic, odor-diffusing, and moisture-absorbing, so they help keep your kicks fresh and dry. Vented slots along the toe portion help aerate the shoe without taking away from the proper expansion provided by these wooden trees. To that end, regular use should drastically extend the lifespan of your shoes by maintaining their shape and reducing wrinkles near pressure points.

Pros:

• 100% red cedar construction is aromatic and moisture-wicking
• Sturdy and smooth toe portion ensures damage-free expansion
• Golden-plated branding is subtle but classy

Cons:

• No spring-loaded hinge in the toe portion, limiting expansion

B&E Life Plastic Adjustable Shoe Stretcher

The Compact Companion

Try these plastic shoe stretchers if you're trying to keep your luggage light and manageable.

Best for Frequent Flyers

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We all need a good stretch after flying — even your leather loafers agree. They’ll thank you for packing these affordable plastic shoe stretchers next time you go on a business trip. You might already be familiar with this style of shoe tree from B&E as they’re common in department stores, but don’t let their unassuming look fool you. Their lightweight construction makes them a breeze to pack away, while the adjustable length promises a perfect stretch on the go. For less than a movie ticket (roughly), this set of five shoe stretchers can save you and your shoes from excessive airport stress.

Pros:

• Lightweight construction ideal for packing
• Adjustable length to fit men’s sizes 5.5–11.5
• Purchase includes 5 pairs of stretchers

Cons:

• Plastic molding occasionally has sharp edges

Houndsbay Cedar Shoe Tree

A Tree for a Tree

With every shoe tree purchase from Houndsbay, they plant a real tree somewhere in the United States.

Most Sustainable

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We love a solid wooden product as much as anyone, but we’re also acutely aware of the limitations of naturally occurring goods. Houndsbay hears that loud and clear, which is why a purchase of these cedar shoe trees directly results in the planting of a real tree somewhere in the U.S. The aromatic cedar absorbs excess moisture and leaves your shoes smelling clean, while the spring-loaded toe portion expands to properly fill the shape of your shoe. Since shoe trees can sometimes be interchangeable, Houndsbay has also included engraved “right” and “left” labels to avoid any confusion after a long day on your feet.

Pros:

• Company promises sustainability by planting a tree for every purchase
• Aromatic cedar is odor-eliminating and moisture-wicking
• Labeled right and left for easy insertion
• Spring-loaded toe portion to ensure proper expansion

Cons:

• Spring may not be as sturdy as other models

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between a shoe tree and a shoe stretcher?

While a shoe tree’s features (e.g., moisture-wicking, odor-eliminating, shaping) are mostly intended to extend the lifespan of your footwear, shoe stretchers are usually made to increase the length or width of your shoes with less frequent use. Both can be used to maintain shape, avoid wrinkles and smooth creases, but you’ll want to opt for the shoe stretcher if you’re hoping to see a real change in shoe size or fit.

Do I need a shoe stretcher for each pair of shoes I have?

It depends on how much you care about the shape of your shoes, but most likely, no. Where you might want to avoid creasing your quality leather dress shoes, you probably won’t care if your mesh running shoes start to wrinkle. Take stock of your footwear and identify key needs like moisture-absorption, odor-elimination, form-maintenance, and wrinkle-prevention. Then, make an educated purchase that suits those needs.