I have a pair of Simms Guide wading boots. When I bought them, they fit the way I wanted and I loved the boots. They performed as I had hoped and I felt as though I got my moneys worth. Roughly a year and a half later, I’m not so happy. It seems they have shrunk. “Shrunk?” You say. Yes. Like I said, they fit the way I wanted when I bought them. Now, they create discomfort and pain when I wear them with my waders. They are Nubuck leather, so maybe thats the problem. I wouldn’t be so upset except that I spent $130 on them and was expecting at least 3 or 4 seasons out of them. Does anybody know if they can be stretched back to size, and if so, is there a way to prevent it from happening again?
FF,
If they’re leather or mostly leather, it’s common that a good shoe repairman would be able to stretch them. Good luck and Best Regards…
ff,
I thought my Hodgman boots shrunk too! Then I realized the uppers were leather and had to be wet before putting them on. So my suggestion would be to just wet the boots prior to placing them in the car.
Deezel
I find my boots shrink as well, especially, over the winter months. Soak them in warm water and they should be good to go.
I’ve never owned leather wading boots that didn’t shrink and/or get rock-hard over time. Soaking them prior to putting them on is a must. I suspect that the oils in leather that keep it supple (and made it look and fit well when they were new) are long gone. You might consider that as well.
DG
:lol: naaa they did shrink, your foot just got bigger. :o you know what they say when you get older your hands, feet, ears and nose get bigger. :lol:
Ghost
FF:
Like the others said who posted before me; leather shrinks and pre-soaking may be your only option.
BUT…
After that go visit your friendly neighborhood shoemaker and see if he sells shoe stretchers. They look like shoe trees except they have a large screw in the center that spreads open the part that goes in the front of the shoe. Some shoe stretchers even have little attachments for bunions!
In any case; invest in a pair of shoe stretchers and after fishing; clean off your shoes and while still wet; put the stretchers inside and crank them down a bit. They WILL keep the leather from shrinking back to the too-tight size as they dry out. You will more than likely have to use them after every fishing trip but that isn’t a real big deal as they will also help keep the toe from curling up. Once the leather is dry; a little treatment with a leather creme or Mink Oil won’t hurt even with nu-buck or suede. It may darken the leather but who cares; you are using them in the water for fishing; not Sunday-go-to-meeting shoes!
IF the shoe stretchers are unfinished cedar as many are; give them a few coats of urethane varnish to protect them and help them to outlast your shoes.
Good luck!
Now you know why I buy my wading shoes 1-1/2 sizes larger than my street shoe!
You guys are lucky…my belts shrink 
I’d ask Simms what to do. Mink Oil worked into the leather would soften them a lot and help stretch them back out and still protect the leather.
My waders shrink. Time on the stationary bike seems to stretch them back out.
I’m with duckster, my belts seem to be srinking too. Must be the leather. :shock:
As someone above posted, if stretching doesn’t work, contact Simms. Great customer service.
Keep them wet. I put my boots into a large garbage bag with some extra water while they are still wet and never let them dry out. No shrinkage.
the shoe maker will help you out, then put on snow seal or some other boot treatment, and no problems any more
Unfortunately, shortly after I turned 40 my feet did grow; 1 full size. It cost me a small fortune to get all new shoes and boots! Other than my feet, the only other thing that seems to be getting bigger is my belly.
I do agree with the others about the Simms boots needing to be wet. I do let mine dry out but when I first put them on it takes a couple of minutes in the water to be comfortable.
Usually I do wet them before use, although they always dry between trips. What really bugged me this time was that even after being on and in the water for a few hours they were still hurting my feet. I guess I’ll give Simms a call and see what they have to say.
Ya’ big SISSIES!!
All you talking about, “shrinking shoes and shrinking belts”!??? How about "GROWING’ foreheads!??
Mine started to “grow”, when I was around 20, or so, and hasn’t stopped for the past 30 years!! NOW, it’s clear back, darn near to the back of my neck!
Maybe I should try flyguy’s suggestion and try SnoSeal!?
“Shrinking boots”,I wish!
If the boot don’t fit, you must aquitt!
Funny how we all can understand that getting leather wet makes it shrink but somehow in L.A. they have never heard of this fact…
I find getting them wet and getting your foot back into them makes them stretch back out.