Amanda Knapp
If you've bought a pair of basketball shoes that are slightly too big, you can shrink them to get a better fit. The easiest way to shrink shoes is to use a tumble dryer or blow dryer, but you can also use natural heat from the sun. For leather and suede shoes, you can continuously move the dryer around the top edge of the shoe to heat the leather, causing it to contract and shrink. For canvas shoes, you can use the dryer method or soak them in water and then put them in the tumble dryer for 10-15 minutes. You can also add moisture to specific areas of the shoe and use a blow dryer on a medium heat setting to shrink individual areas.
How to Shrink Basketball Shoes
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Leather, suede, and canvas |
| Methods | Using a dryer, blow dryer, tumble dryer, natural heat, hair dryer, water, and insoles |
| Steps | Identify the areas that need shrinking, use a spray bottle to dampen the area, apply heat, and repeat as necessary |
| Considerations | Check the care label, avoid over-drying, and be mindful of the limitations of the method |
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What You'll Learn
Using a blow dryer and spray bottle
If your basketball shoes are only a little bit too big, you may be able to shrink them down with a blow dryer and a spray bottle. This method is suitable for shoes made of canvas, leather, or suede.
First, try on the shoes and identify the areas that need to be smaller. You can then use the spray bottle to apply water to these areas. The shoe fabric should be damp but not soaking wet. If your shoes are made of canvas, you can wet the fabric more generously, as this will result in more shrinkage. However, bear in mind that the wetter the shoes are, the longer they will take to dry.
Next, grab your blow dryer and set it to medium heat. Hold the dryer about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the wet area of the shoe and move it back and forth until the fabric is dry to the touch. For leather and suede shoes, keep the dryer constantly moving to avoid discolouration and damage. If the leather starts to smell or crack, turn off the blow dryer and let the shoes air dry.
Once the shoes are dry, try them on and see if the fit has improved. If they are still a bit loose, simply repeat the process.
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Soaking in water, then tumble drying
If your basketball shoes are too big, you can try shrinking them by soaking them in water and then tumble drying. This method can be used for canvas, leather, and suede shoes.
First, try on the shoes and figure out which parts need to be smaller. Stand with your feet flat on the floor and take a few steps to identify the areas that aren't touching your foot.
Next, fill a spray bottle with water and dampen the areas of the shoe you want to shrink. Avoid getting the insole wet, as this can cause it to become smelly, cracked, or discoloured. For canvas shoes, focus on the sides if your foot is slipping out while you walk. For leather or suede shoes, concentrate on the top edge, which tends to be the stretchiest area. The fabric should be damp but not dripping wet.
After spraying, put your shoes in the tumble dryer for around 10 to 15 minutes. The heat will help shrink them down. Alternatively, you can use a blow dryer on a medium heat setting, holding it about 15 cm away from the damp area until it dries. If you don't have a dryer or prefer a natural heat method, you can hang your shoes on a clothesline in direct sunlight to dry. However, don't leave them in the sun for too long to prevent colour fading.
Take your shoes out of the dryer or from the clothesline once they have achieved your desired level of shrinkage or are completely dry. Put the shoes on again to check if they fit better. If they still feel loose, repeat the process by re-applying water to the area and tumble drying or blow-drying again.
While this method can help shrink your basketball shoes, it's important to note that it may not work for all shoes or materials, and the results may vary.
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Using natural heat
To use natural heat to shrink your basketball shoes, start by trying on the shoes and identifying the areas that need to be smaller. Once you know which parts of the shoe you want to shrink, use a spray bottle to dampen those areas. The fabric should be damp, but not soaked.
After spraying the desired areas, tie the shoes together and hang them on a clothesline in direct sunlight. The heat from the sun will cause the damp areas to dry and potentially shrink. If you do not have access to a clothesline, you can hang the shoes over a chair, fence, or rail, or simply place them on a tabletop or the ground.
It is important to note that exposing your basketball shoes to direct sunlight for prolonged periods can cause the colours to fade. Therefore, this method should be used sparingly and with caution. Additionally, make sure to check the care label of your shoes before attempting to shrink them, as using heat may void the warranty.
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Adding insoles
Insoles can be used to make the shoe fit tighter, especially if you only need to size down by half to one size. If your basketball shoes are too long, you can add a second insole or an orthopaedic insert to fill the empty space. This is a good option for sneakers, boots, or dress shoes made of non-flexible materials that are difficult to shrink.
You can also try adding cushions to the inside of the heel or toe area to fill any gaps and create a snugger fit. If there is too much space at the top of the shoe, you can also try adding a cushioned insole to fill the extra room.
If you have narrow feet, you can also try adding insoles to make the sides of the shoe fit more snugly and prevent your foot from slipping out while you walk. This method can be used for canvas shoes, but be sure to avoid getting water on the insole, as this can cause it to become smelly, cracked, or discoloured.
It is recommended to try on the shoes with the insoles and stand with your feet flat on the floor to check if the fit is correct. You may need to adjust the number or placement of the insoles to achieve the desired level of tightness.
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Using water and heat
First, try on the shoes and figure out the areas that need to be smaller. Once you know which parts of the shoe you want to shrink, use your fingers or a clean cloth to dampen those areas with cool water. Do not soak the shoe completely, but dab on enough water so that the fabric of the shoe is damp.
Next, grab a blow dryer and set it to medium heat. Hold the blow dryer about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the wet spot on the shoe and move it back and forth over the spot until the shoe fabric is dry to the touch. For leather and suede, continuously move the dryer around the top edge of the shoe to heat the leather, causing it to contract and shrink. If the leather starts to smell or crack, turn off the blow dryer and let the shoes air dry.
Alternatively, you can soak your canvas shoes with water and put them in a dryer for 10 to 15 minutes. This method is more intensive and will result in more shrinkage.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to shrink basketball shoes. One way is to use a blow dryer and a spray bottle to shrink specific parts of the shoe. Another method is to soak the shoes in water and then put them in the tumble dryer for 10-15 minutes.
If you don't have a dryer, you can use natural heat by hanging the shoes on a clothesline and letting them dry in the sun.
Yes, you can shrink leather and suede shoes by continuously moving the dryer around the top edge of the shoe to heat the material and cause it to contract and shrink.
If your shoes are still too big, you can try adding insoles or shoe cushions to improve the fit.
Put on the shoes and stand with your feet flat on the floor. Check which places on the shoe aren't touching your foot to identify the areas that need to be smaller.
