What material will work best for you, really depends on how you intend to use your shoe stretcher. If you'll only use it occasionally, with new footwear or to improve the fit of existing models, then you may not have to invest as much as if you're after something that will last you a lifetime. There are numerous variants of shoe stretchers and trees, but the most popular are wood, metal and plastic, all of which have their pros and cons.

One of the key things you need to consider before purchasing is whether your shoe stretcher is going to double as a shoe tree. If that's the case, then you definitely need to take breathability into consideration, as not all models will act the same in this regard.

Ideally, when not worn, your footwear will be kept in a place away from direct sunlight, at room temperature, well ventilated, but protected from dust. Any type of material on the inside of the shoe may hinder air flow, thus trapping moisture and humidity, speeding up the degradation process of the footwear's components. Humid conditions may even lead to mildew, foul odors, or could attract insects, which is not only unpleasant, but could also compromise your foot health, leading to bacterial or fungal infections.

This is why, a stretcher with some perforations, made with natural materials is superior to plastic, single unit models that prevent fresh air from reaching the shoe. You can look for models with a split toe design, or even for those with some holes in them, but the best way to go is to opt for a model made with a high quality wood that prevents moisture build up.

No matter what type of stretcher you've invested in, there are, of course, a few things you can do that will ensure a well cared for pair of shoes. These include allowing your footwear to thoroughly dry between uses, cleaning and conditioning with the proper products, as well as ensuring that you wear them in the right weather conditions, preventing extensive damage in the first place.

There are two ways in which a shoe can stretch. Interesting to note, the most common way is from side to side. This is the width of a shoe. A bit harder to do, but not impossible, is to stretch the length. You won't be stretching the actual sole but you can possibly get a tiny amount more room in the length of the upper.

Be warned that sometimes the look of the shoe will change and it may be noticeable that you have in fact stretched the length of the shoe. Moreover, this is apparent by the shoe hanging over the edge of the sole. Consequently, you also run a risk of compromising the integrity of the shoe and doing damage to the sole or shank by attempting to stretch it in length.

Some will work in both directions, stretching length as well as width. Some will only work in one direction. Typically, those are the ones that will increase the width.

You may look at a shoe stretcher and wonder what those holes are doing in it. Is that a design flaw? No. Those holes that are strategically placed are for pressure points.  The stretchers that have the holes are made to insert an additional layer before it is placed inside the shoe. It is like a little knob. The knob puts even more strain on that area of your shoe that your foot is bothered at. It will give just a little more pressure to stretch that part of the shoe more. You just have to align the knob and hole up with the part of your foot that has the pressure point hot spot.

The downside to the holes in the shoe stretcher is that it no longer makes the stretcher a solid piece of wood. The stretcher has a hole in it. Therefore, over time, it could weaken it.

Components

When you open the stretcher up there will be two types of parts that comprise the gears and inner workings of it. First, some that are wood have metal parts and others will have plastic parts. The plastic innards may be substandard quality compared to those that have metal pieces.

The stretchers that have metal pieces and a wooden structure are going to be the most durable. They have the strongest backing to stretch your shoes and to withstand the force that is put on the tool. You can most certainly achieve desired results with a plastic stretcher that has plastic parts. However, you just need to use caution with the amount of force you are applying to the stretcher. It is recommended to go slower when using plastic tools than you would if using one of solid wood with metal parts.

In an ideal situation, once you've invested in a product, you will want to have and use it for life. Shoe stretchers, when made well, can offer that type of quality, and all without costing too much. But, to ensure that you do receive this type of durability, you need to make sure that the product is designed and made with the right materials, using the correct mechanisms, providing you with a long lifespan.

As mentioned above, cheap, thin and flexible materials will often give in under the pressure needed to change the fit of a pair of footwear, so the first area in which you want to look for durability is the forefoot portion of the stretcher. Ideally, it will be made with high quality, solid wood, or an industrial grade plastic that doesn't break or bend. Note that breaking inside the shoe could even cause damage to your footwear, so this is a crucial aspect of any stretcher.

Secondly, you want to look at the mechanism, and pick one that's sturdy and made with equally strong components that won't snap under pressure. This is the most common part of the stretcher to break, and often cannot be replaced, which means you'd have to purchase an entirely new product should this happen.

Last but not least, you need to ensure that the integrity of all materials remains the same throughout their lifespan. This relates to an issue that's already been mentioned - rust, decay and insects, which often lead to damaging your expensive footwear, making it unsuitable for use. If you're looking at products for expensive items such as designer and leather shoes, you may want to leave the stretching to a professional, and buy the highest quality trees made with cedar wood that will promote a healthy environment void of moisture, humidity and odors.

There are two ways in which a shoe can stretch. Interesting to note, the most common way is from side to side. This is the width of a shoe. A bit harder to do, but not impossible, is to stretch the length. You won't be stretching the actual sole but you can possibly get a tiny amount more room in the length of the upper.

Be warned that sometimes the look of the shoe will change and it may be noticeable that you have in fact stretched the length of the shoe. Moreover, this is apparent by the shoe hanging over the edge of the sole. Consequently, you also run a risk of compromising the integrity of the shoe and doing damage to the sole or shank by attempting to stretch it in length.

Some will work in both directions, stretching length as well as width. Some will only work in one direction. Typically, those are the ones that will increase the width.