Sometimes new flip-flops can feel a bit uncomfortable. This is usually due to the leather or foam material having to adjust to the size of your feet. You may be wondering whether or not it's possible to stretch your flip-flops. Well, we've researched this subject to best answer this question for you.
Yes, you can stretch flip flops to make them more comfortable to wear, and this includes the popular leather Rainbow flip-flops. There are several different ways to do this, and many of them are inexpensive and can be done within about 30 minutes.
One of the quickest ways to stretch your flip-flops is by stretching them or blasting them with a bit of heat. You can also wet the flip flops and stretch them using everyday items around your home.
If you don't have time for your flip-flops to stretch themselves out, there are always ways that you can speed up this process. We will cover a number of these methods and other methods that you can use to make them more comfortable.
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Methods to Stretch Flip Flops
Wear them around the house
This may seem obvious, but the more you wear your flip-flops, the faster they will stretch out and form to the shapes of your feet. This is particularly true if the flip-flop strap fits too tightly around the top of your foot. Be sure to flex your feet while you're walking so that the top of the flip-flop can extend as much as possible.
You'll, of course, want to remove the shoes if your feet begin to ache or burn at any point, as you don't want to develop a callus in the process. You can also make this process easier by throwing on a pair of socks while you wear them.
Check out this sock set on Amazon.
Wet them
This method is similar to the previously mentioned method, except with this technique, you'll be placing these flip-flops in a bucket of lukewarm water. Let the flip flops soak for about 2 to 3 minutes, remove them, use a towel to blot any excess water, and then wear them for about 20 to 30 minutes. When the flip-flops dry, they should be stretched out a bit. You can repeat this method as needed.
Find this 2-gallon bucket on Amazon.
Use leather conditioner
If you have Rainbow or any other type of leather flip flops, you can also use a leather conditioner to help stretch the material. For this method, apply the leather conditioner to a lint-free cloth and rub the conditioner onto the shoe.
You don't need to necessarily rub the conditioner on the strap unless it's made of leather as well. The leather conditioner will loosen up the leather fabrics, making them more pliable the next time you wear them. You can do this a couple of times to quickly stretch out the flip-flops.
Find leather conditioner on Amazon.
Steam the sandals
You may be surprised to learn that you can also steam the flip-flops to stretch them out. Do this by placing the flip-flops in the bathroom the next time you take a shower. Or, you can place the shoes in the bathroom while you run the shower for about 10 minutes or so. Afterward, slip on the shoes and walk around in them for about 10 to 15 minutes to help stretch them out.
Stuff the flip flops
Consider stuffing the flip-flops with socks or a wad of wet newspaper. Ball the socks or newspaper up and then stuff them underneath the straps of the flip flop until you can't stretch it anymore.
Leave the material there overnight or for several days until they are stretched enough to where they are comfortable to wear. You can also use a tennis ball or any other fabric that will fit beneath the strap.
Use a hairdryer
Start by turning the dryer on a low heat setting and gently move it back and forth in front of the flip flops at about 6 to 8 inches away from the shoes--you don't want to scorch them in the process. This will warm up the fabric of the flip-flops so that it is more pliable.
After doing this for about 5 to 7 minutes, turn off the dryer and immediately put on the flip-flops and walk around in them for about 10 minutes. Test the comfort level of the flip-flops and repeat the process if they need more stretching.
Check out this hair dryer on Amazon.
Place them in the freezer
Freezing these flip-flops can also help to loosen the pressure on the strap by causing it to expand. You'll need to fill two Ziplock bags with 3 cups of water for this method. Next, place each flip-flop in a gallon-size Ziploc bag and then seal the bag at the top. Next, place the bags right side up in the freezer and leave them there for about 4-6 hours.
Then, remove the bags and let them sit in the sink to thaw out. Once the flip-flops are unfrozen and warm enough, try them on to test their comfort level.
Find Ziploc freezer bags on Amazon.
Do Rainbow flip flops stretch out?
The best way to stretch rainbow sandals is to apply a leather conditioner to the Sandal and then wear the sandals for about 15 to 20 minutes around the house. You can also quickly dip to sandals in a bucket of warm water, and then please balled up socks between the foot of a sandal in the strap to stretch them out overnight.
You can repeat these methods until the sandals are stretched to your desired comfort level. It also helps to walk around in them for a bit.
Buy women's Rainbow sandals on Amazon.
How do you stretch new flip flops?
There are several ways to stretch new flip-flops to make the strap more comfortable on the top of your foot or to make the sole of the shoe pliable while walking. The easiest and quickest way to stretch new flip-flops is to wear the shoes.
You can also typically wet the flip flops or apply a blow-dryer to them for a few minutes before wearing them to help accelerate their ability to stretch.
How can I make my flip flops more comfortable?
The first thing to do is make your flip-flops more comfortable to determine what's making them uncomfortable. Whether it's chaffing caused by the strap or the shoes simply feeling stiff, know that there are ways to make them more comfortable. Let's look at ways to alleviate these issues.
Buy arch supports
You can quickly alleviate arch pain with your sandals by buying arch support inserts. These inserts are placed at the bottom of the sandal at the arch and contain an adhesive backing to stick in place. You can buy them online or at shoe stores for about $10-15.
Check out this arch support set on Amazon
Use moleskin
Moleskine is great for preventing blisters and callused caused by friction. If you find that your sandals are either rubbing the top or ball of your foot, consider purchasing a pack of Moleskine and placing it on the irritated areas. The great thing about moleskin is that you can easily cut the fabric to size it for the specific area on your body.
Learn more about Moleskin on Amazon.
Stretch the flip flops
Like many other types of shoes, flip-flops can be uncomfortable when you first wear them. This is typically due to the strap of the flip-flop fitting too tightly over your foot. However, you can heat them, freeze them, or stretch them with materials such as rolled-up socks or towels to make them more comfortable.
How to stretch out reef flip flops?
To stretch your Reef flip-flops, consider spraying them with warm water until they are thoroughly soaked, then blot them with a dry towel. Next, walk around in the sandals for about 15 to 20 minutes.
If the sandals don't stretch enough after this, roll up a couple of hand towels and place them beneath the straps of the sandals, making sure to stretch them out as far as possible.
Leave the towels in the sandals overnight and try them the next day to check their comfort level. Repeat this method as needed until they are stretched far enough to where they're comfortable to walk in.
Find Reef flip flops on Amazon.
Wrapping Things Up
As you can see, there are several methods that you can use to stretch your flip-flops. Remember, the quickest way to break the flip-flops and is to wear them. If you're in a pinch, you can also place fabric materials beneath the strap of the flip-flops so that they can stretch out more overnight.
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