Just stretched my first shoe this weekend. The stretched area is over the little toe. I've worn the shoe half a day with moderate walking and the newly stretched area is fine so far. I did not use stretching spray but rubbing alcohol as one comment suggested. It slightly discolored the shoe in the area used so be cautioned. This is a quality product that does what it was intended to do. It's worth the extra cost over the plastic stretchers. The small stretching buds are plastic but fit well.