You can shrink leather, suede and canvas shoes a little by dampening them and drying them with gentle heat, but expect a small change, around a quarter of a size at most, and some risk of damage. Synthetic shoes barely shrink at all. For most loose shoes, insoles and heel grips are safer and work better.
In this guide
Will it work on your shoes?
| Material | Can it shrink? | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth leather | Slightly | Drying out, cracking, colour change |
| Suede and nubuck | Slightly | Water marks and stiff nap |
| Canvas and cotton fabric | Slightly | Warped soles, loosened glue |
| Synthetic leather, mesh, plastic | Hardly at all | Melting or warping with heat |
| Rubber boots, safety toe caps | No | Not applicable |
Try these first: safer ways to make shoes fit
- A thicker insole takes up volume through the whole shoe.
- Heel grips stop the heel from slipping.
- Tongue pads hold the foot back and down.
- Thicker socks for boots and sneakers.
Together these can make a shoe feel up to half a size smaller, with no risk. The details are in how to make shoes smaller.
How to shrink leather shoes
- Dampen the loose area with a spray bottle or a wet cloth. The leather should be evenly damp, not dripping. Keep water away from the sole edge and insole.
- Dry with gentle heat. Use a hairdryer on medium, held about 15 cm (6 inches) away and kept moving, until the leather is dry. Or let the shoes dry in a warm, airy spot out of direct sun.
- Try them on. Repeat once if needed.
- Condition the leather straight afterwards. Heat and water strip its oils, and conditioner prevents cracking.
Related: How to Clean UGG Slippers and Other Sheepskin Slippers
How to shrink suede shoes
- Mist the suede lightly and evenly; a patchy soak leaves water marks.
- Dry with a hairdryer on low to medium, keeping it moving.
- Brush the nap with a suede brush once dry.
- Apply a suede protector.
If the suede stiffens or marks, the steps in how to clean suede shoes will help restore it.
How to shrink canvas shoes
- Wet the canvas upper with warm water, avoiding the rubber sole as far as you can.
- Dry with a hairdryer on medium while the shoe is stuffed lightly with paper, or wear them with socks until dry so they shape to your feet.
- Check the fit and repeat if needed.
Avoid a hot wash and tumble dry. It may shrink the canvas, but it also warps rubber and weakens the glue that holds the sole on. If that happens, see how to fix shoe sole separation.
What not to do
- Do not soak shoes completely. It damages insoles, glue and structure.
- Do not use an oven, radiator or boiling water. High heat ruins shoes far more often than it shrinks them.
- Do not heat synthetic or patent shoes. They deform instead of shrinking.
- Do not expect a full size. No home method achieves that.
When to exchange or see a cobbler
- If the shoes are half a size or more too big, return or exchange them if you can.
- A cobbler can add permanent padding, take in the heel or fit a heel liner, which gives a cleaner result on good leather shoes.
- To avoid the problem next time, measure your feet with our guide to measuring shoe size at home.
Frequently asked questions
Can you shrink shoes a full size?
No. Home methods give a small change at best. For a full size, exchange the shoes.
Does putting shoes in the dryer shrink them?
It can shrink canvas slightly, but the heat often warps soles and loosens glue, so it is not recommended.
Do leather shoes shrink when they get wet?
They can tighten a little as they dry, especially if dried with heat, and they become stiff unless conditioned afterwards.
What is the easiest way to fix shoes that are too big?
Add a full-length insole and heel grips. It is quick, cheap and reversible.
