This is a much sturdier version of the ones I returned. (Another Company, arrived broken) I recommend a shoe stretcher to anyone. It's much nicer to have a stretcher do the work instead of your tender foot parts. And it can do the job in short order. Your brand new stiff shoes can easily fit like slippers. You can hit the streets running without fear of blisters and aching feet. I think this one will hold up OK. I'll let you know otherwise.