Stretching Finis Foil foot pockets?

[Marriih]

Today I finally got my Finis Foil monofin, however, despite my toes being barely visible (that's how small my feet are) the foot pockets are so narrow that I can't imagine swimming comfortably in this fin.
Unfortunately I have bunions because of a medical condition, which gets worse from too narrow shoes or, in this case, foot pockets. So it is not a matter of just getting used to a narrow fit.
Has anyone tried stretching the part that covers the feet or does anyone know if it will work at all?

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Just wear them in around the house, the same way you would a new pair of shoes.

[Marriih]

Thank you for your reply, Jaffa. Would wearing the monofin actually stretch the footpockets to fit better? That would be good news. Last time someone mentioned it, I thought they meant it would get their feet used to the foot pockets.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

You could try wearing in a hot bath to help stretch the foot pockets. When I got mine, I just wore it whilst I was on the computer or lounging on the sofa.

[Marriih]

I'd have to fill some plastic box with hot water. x)
I'm still trying to stretch the pockets by putting things in them so I won't have to strain my feet. I just tried the fin on and maybe it's that I'm wearing socks, but putting it on was easier (while my socks are thick). It still hurts though. I might actually try the hot water method if this doesn't work well enough.

[Shell Bell]

I had a pair of plastic sandals that I stretched a little by heating them up with a hair dryer while I was wearing them (plus lots of foot wiggling to stretch them!). I have no idea if this would work for the Foil, and definitely be careful with it! The plastic gets pretty hot.

[Marriih]

Of course! Thanks for the tip Shell Bell! I might actually try that although last time I used a hair dryer for such a purpose, it overheated and broke. I'll have to be a bit more careful next time.
I'll give my current method of stuffing the foot pockets with hard things a few more days. Maybe the combination of that and the hair dryer would work better though.

[Dancing Fish]

Not sure it would work with rubber, but I read about a way to stretch tight shoes by putting a bag of water inside the shoe, then freezing them. The water expands a bit as it freezes. Though rubber gets less flexible with cold so maybe that wouldn't work.

[Marriih]

Probably not, but thanks for letting me know anyway. :)

[Marriih]

Just tried on the Foil without socks and it does seem to fit a little better. It still hurts though. But it's something.

[Marriih]

I had to stretch the right foot pocket more, it seemd more narrow than the left one. Now the Foil is at the point at which I believe I can swim in it. :) I will, however, have to coat the ankle straps with some fabric since the latex socks I ordered are just... not for my feet.
But yeah it's working! :D

[Marriih]

Update: IT FITS. After a week of stretching, the foot pockets are now just the right size.

The method of stretching has been confirmed to be effective. :thumbs-up: