FootFitterPremium Professional 2-Way Shoe Stretcher, Stretches Length & Width, Strong & Heavy Duty Construction

I broke my tibia/fibula at my right ankle a few years ago. Now, that foot is a bit larger than my left. For shoes that fit like a glove on my left foot, they're a bit too small on my right foot. OR I recently made the mistake of buying AA shoes.I've used the shoe stretcher three times, and it hasn't broken! Other ones usually broke after two uses.Now, this is going to sound strange, but it really helps if you *read the directions*. That sounds like a no-brainer, but I figured that you insert in shoe and twist, right?First of all, you need to pretreat it. Spray with a shoe stretcher spray (I had some left over from when I had to stretch a boot) or spray/rub generously with isopropyl alcohol. The isopropyl alcohol.is what is in the little bottle of shoe stretcher spray, which costs $5. If you run out of shoe stretcher spray, you can fill the bottle with isopropyl alcohol. Be sure to use 70%; 90% can be flammable.So you pre-treat it, and place shoe in front of space heater/on heat register for about half an hour. The heat makes the leather more pliable and helps stretch leather/suede. Next, spray liberally with more alcohol inside/outside shoe, insert shoe stretcher, twist the mechanism at the end clockwise to stretch the shoe wider, and twist the disk counter-clockwise to stretch the heel.Leave there for 48 hours, occasionally spraying with the alcohol.When removing the stretcher, you have to alternately twist the handle at the end and the disk. Twist the handle counter-clockwise; the disk, clockwise. You don't just twist the handle at the end counter-clockwise and the shoe falls off. You have to play with the disk a bit, tightening and loosening, as you unwind the handle at the end.So, here are the directions:1. Pretreat with alcohol2. Place shoe on/near a heat source3. Spray/rub liberally with alcohol4. Insert stretcher and adjust5. Place shoe on/near heat source6. Occasionally spray/rub liberally with alcohol again7. Adjust stretcher more if you can8. Check after 48 hoursALSO! If your leather shoe fades a bit because of the heat, massage a very small amount of coconut oil in a buffer sponge or a soft rag. (Coconut oil is great for leather shoes/bags/garments/brief cases, as well as skin/hair. I highly recommend it.) Rub over the shoe. If the shoe looks very dark after rubbing the oil into it, the leather will absorb it, and in about 24 hours, the shoe will be back to it's true color. DO NOT USE COCONUT OIL WITH SUEDE!

I have bunions. I have worn sneakers for years because I had trouble getting my foot to fit into anything that I could walk in for more than a few steps. I would end up leaving shoe stores in frustration as nothing would work for me. Recently I saw a pair of shoe brand online that I wanted to try out as all of the reviews indicated that they were wider than normal and people should size down. I bought my regular size and hoped for the best (as they weren't returnable.) Of course they didn't fit as they were way too tight and also felt too short.I decided to order a shoe stretcher to see if that would work. I wish I had bought this product years ago. I stretched one shoe, the smaller and more uncomfortable one overnight for about 12 hours. Wow, what a difference! I am currently wearing my new shoe with a thick sock. I may even by heel pads because the back of my foot is now slipping out of the shoe. This is amazing. I purchased the stretcher and the accompanying spray. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The shoes have leather uppers and manmade materials inside and the products worked beautifully together. Highly recommend!

From a quality of materials and assembly standpoint the FootFitter Premium Professional is definitely a 'you get what you pay for' situation compared to the many cheap knock offs for sale out there at half the price. It's first rate all the way. Does an excellent job stretching as well. The only negative is that the knurled knob used to tighten the tension, to push the foot form forward into the toe of a shoe, is VERY difficult to turn once you get anywhere near to the tension needed to meaningfully stretch a shoe. I had to use channel locks to turn it to get any real purchase on the tensioning action. They really ought to put like a bolt head or other way to get a wrench on the shaft. That said, if you're going to go with this design solution to stretching a shoe length wise or enlarging a toe area this is the one to get.

It works! I am now able to wear a pair of shoes that were too tight & uncomfortable before I used the this stretcher

This is a very sturdy shoe stretcher and will probably last a life time ( yours, not the shoe ). It is made of solid beech wood, stainless steel and one wing knob of a high impact plastic.I am using this device to stretch a hiking boot which is not what it is advertised to do. It is a shoe stretcher not a hiking boot stretcher. I was unwilling to throw away a half used pair of $250.00 hiking boots without trying to stretch the one boot that was about 1/4 inch too short.I have used the device twice, once for 24 hours and once for 12 hours after conditioning the leather with Neat's foot oil. It have stretched the boot 1/4 inch and no more. The boot is now wearable. It seems the leather has a memory and wants to go back to the shorter length so I have used it twice so far. The time between use is about one week.The limitations of this device is that it is difficult to insert into a hiking boot and the adjustment ring is jammed against the back strap requiring a channel lock plyers to turn it. The ring is knurled so it is not a problem getting a grip on it.This device will not stretch and widen at the same time. Once the lengthening is at tension, the widening will not operate. One will have to do each operation separately.I understand the device is not a boot stretcher and therefore give it 5 stars for performing beyond its description.