5 Boot Lacing Techniques for Hiking
, by Ed Stone, 5 min reading time
Your hiking boots are your key to adventure, keeping your feet safe, comfortable, and dry so you can get out and explore all that the great outdoors has to offer. However, poorly tied boots can often lead to chafing, pain, and blisters; along with the improper hiking boot fit.
Having poorly laced or improperly fitted hiking boots, can greatly affect your hiking plans mid trek. Don’t let foot discomfort get in the way of your outdoor exploration. Instead, you can use the proper boot lacing techniques for your type of hike and foot construction to keep your feet cozy—even on the most rugged terrain. From ladder lacing and army lacing to lock lacing and straight bar lacing, there are endless shoe lacing techniques that you can use to lace hiking boots. Whether you’re looking for hiking shoes for men or hiking shoes for women, we’re sharing the most ideal shoe lace tying techniques you can use!
With that said, read our hiking boot guide to ensure you leave no lace untied.
Hiking Boot Lacing 101
You might be scratching your head and wondering why you need a tutorial on how to lace boots. Well, that’s because hiking is different from your day-to-day activities. You’re on your feet for hours at a time, often scaling uneven terrain. You need boots that are laced just right to prevent injury and discomfort.
When you lace your hiking boots, you have a few specific goals, including:1
- 1. Preventing heel slippage
- 2. Relieving pressure on the top of your foot
- 3. Easing tightness on your toes
- 4. Providing equal balance for Stability
- 5. Certain lacing tricks can help each of these issues, so you’ll want to make sure that you select the best shoelace tying technique for your needs.
Technique #1: The Heel Lock
Do you find your boots slipping up and down on your heel as you hike your favorite trails? If so, then the heel lock technique might help prevent this problem. To perform the heel lock lacing style, you will:
- 1. Lace the boots up to the hooks—located on either side of the ankle
- 2. Pull the laces straight up through the hooks instead of crisscrossing them
- 3. Cross the laces and pull them to the lower set of hooks
- 4. Tie your shoes
This lacing method applies pressure to the part of your foot that curves upward, locking your heel in place.
Technique #2: Surgeon’s Knot
The surgeon’s knot is ideal if you have narrow feet or your boots slide around as you walk. To use a surgeon’s knot, you should:
- 1. Lace your boot to the point where your foot begins to curve upward
- 2. Cross the laces around each other twice to make a surgeon’s knot
- 3. Thread the laces through the next eyelet
- 4. Make another surgeon’s knot and thread the laces through the next eyelet
- 5. Repeat until you’ve reached the top of your boots
The key to getting the surgeon’s knot right is to test the tension after each step. Your boots should feel snug but not so tight that they’re uncomfortable.
Technique #3: Lacing Windows
Do you often find the tops of your feet throbbing after a few hours of hiking? The lacing windows technique might help relieve some of the pressure on the top of your feet for a more comfortable hike. This simple process requires the following steps:
- 1. Completely unlace your boots
- 2. Start at the bottom and thread the laces through
- 3. Instead of crossing, pull the laces straight up through the next eyelet
- 4. Cross the laces over and pull through the next vertical eyelet
- 5. Repeat until you reach the top of your boots
You’ll end up with a pattern that looks like little windows instead of the typical criss-cross look.
Technique #4: Overhand Knot
The overhand knot is a simple tying technique that holds your boots in place without making them too tight. To use an overhand knot, you will:
- 1. Lace your shoes however you prefer to the top
- 2. Cross one lace over the other
- 3. Loop the first lace under the cross you made
- 4. Pull the laces away from each other
- 5. Tie as you wish
You can pair an overhand knot with the lacing windows or heel lock techniques.
Technique #5: Foot Specific Lacing
Hiking boot lacing techniques that cater to your unique foot anatomy are always a good strategy for comfort. Some foot discomfort can be eliminated with a simple change in how you lace your boots. For example:
Toe relief lacing – To relieve pain in your toes during hikes, try relacing your shoes. Begin with the eyelet closest to your big toe and pull the lace up to the top and diagonally across the foot. Weave the other end back and forth across the shoe and tie at the top.
- Cuff pressure – To prevent chafing around the ankle or lower leg, try looping the laces around the top of your boot hooks before tying your final knot.
- High Instep – Lacing windows are the best choice for your boots if you have high arches. This technique can help take some pressure off the arch of your foot.
- Low volume – If you have low arches, then the heel lock technique might be the best option for you. It prevents your foot from sliding up and down while you walk.
Find The Perfect Pair Of Hiking Boots At Boot World
Understanding what to look for in hiking boots is the first step to your purchase journey. After you’ve decided on the right hiking boot for you, the next step is understanding how to tie hiking boots and when to use specific lacing techniques. The right lacing style can make the difference between an enjoyable hike and one that leaves you with blistered, achy feet.
However, if you don’t have a high-quality pair of hiking boots, your lacing technique won’t matter. At Boot World, you’ll find a wide variety of boots to choose from. Shop our collection today to find the perfect pair to practice your newly acquired lacing skills with. Asking yourself, “how long do hiking boots last?”. Wonder no more! Read our blog to discover more.
Sources:
- 1. Backroads. How to Lace Up Hiking Boots Properly. https://www.backroads.com/pro-tips/hiking/how-to-lace-up-hiking-boots-properly