It’s happened to the best of us. You’re at the sports store, trying on football boots, and you find the perfect pair. They’re stylish, they fit well… but they’re just a tad too big. So you buy them anyway, figuring you’ll just shrink them down at home. But how?
Or maybe you’ve been given a pair of second hand boots that are your size…but feel a little loose and stretched?
Never fear, we’re here to help! Below are four surefire ways to shrink your too-big football boots so they fit like a glove (or at least, a well-fitting shoe!).
Let’s kick off!
Table of Contents
How to shrink football boots at home.
Method #1: The freezer trick
This is probably the most well-known method for shrinking football boots that are too big. All you have to do is put your boots in a plastic bag, seal it tightly, and place it in the freezer overnight.
In the morning, take them out and try them on. The combination of the cold temperatures and the tight fit should help shrink your boots down to size. Brrr.
Method #2: Fill them with water.
This is another common way to make your football boots smaller and it’s pretty straightforward. Although it can feel pretty strange soaking your shoes!
Just fill up a sink or bucket with warm water and let your boots soak for about 30 minutes.
After they’ve had a chance to soak, let them air dry. You can also stuff them with newspaper to help draw out the moisture faster.
The result should give you a snug, custom fit.
Method #3: Shrink them with a blowdryer
This is another quick fix that can help if your shoes are only slightly too big.
Again, start by wetting your shoes by soaking them in a bucket of water for 30 minutes. Then, use a hair dryer to dry them!
The heat from the blowdryer will help shrink your shoes. Just be careful not to stay in one spot for too long—you don’t want to damage your shoes (or worse, burn yourself)!
Method #4: The tumble dryer trick
This method also uses heat to shrink your boots. Start with soaking your boots in water for 30 mins as above.
Once your boots are evenly wet, put them in the dryer on low heat for about 30 minutes. This will help shrink the leather so that it’s tighter and less likely to stretch out over time.
Once the 30 minutes is up, take your boots out of the dryer and let them cool before you try them on again. This will help prevent any further stretching or damage to the leather.
Method #5: Tighten the laces!
It may seem pretty obvious but sometimes all you need to do is tighten up the laces!
If your shoes are feeling loose around the top of your foot or toes, pulling your laces tighter will make the boot narrower and more likely to fit your foot snugly. Voila!
And there you have it—five easy ways to shrink soccer boots that are too big!
Watch and learn: How to shrink football boots that are too big.
Here’s a great video that shows you what you do if your boots are feeling too big for your feet.
Should football boots be a size bigger?
Wearing the wrong size shoe is a recipe for disaster, no matter what the activity. Imagine trying to go for a run in shoes that are too small – the blisters would be horrendous!
The same goes for football boots. If they’re feeling too tight, you’ll end up with sore feet at best and blisters at worst.
And if they’re too big, you’ll be slipping and sliding all over the place, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to score a goal. So what’s the solution?
The general rule is to go for football boots a touch bigger – with a ¼ – ½ inch gap between your toes and the top of your boots.
That way, you’ll have plenty of room to wiggle your toes and you won’t have to worry about your feet getting sore. Trust us, it’s the best way to go!
Should football boots be tight or loose?
When it comes to football boots, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
The right fit of soccer shoe depends on a number of factors, including the type of boot, the level of play, and the individual’s foot structure.
For example, players who compete at a high level often prefer narrower, tighter-fitting boots that provide more support and control.
However, players with wider feet or higher arches may find that loose-fitting boots are more comfortable and allow for better movement.
Ultimately, the best way to determine the perfect fit is to try on different boots and see what feels best.
With so many different types of football boots on the market, there’s sure to be a boot that’s perfect for you.
The final score.
There’s nothing worse than buying a new pair of soccer boots only to find out that they’re just a little too big.
But instead of returning them or giving up altogether, try one of these five methods for shrinking soccer boots at home!
With a little bit of time and effort, you’ll have a brand new pair of perfectly fitting soccer boots in no time!
