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So you just spent a ton on those new boots, but they just don't seem to fit right. In the store they seemed to fit perfectly, but now they are rubbing, or creating pressure on top of your foot, so what gives? Well, don't toss them aside just yet, maybe you just need to lace them a little differently to add or releive pressure in just the right spots.
Keep your feet snug and comfortable with these step-by-step directions for common hiking boot lacing techniques.
It’s easy to overlook the lacing on your hiking boots: Many of us just tighten them up, double knot, and hit the trail. But a number of common boot lacing techniques can keep your feet snug for long stretches and prevent blisters and other injuries. The most common boot lacing technique—crisscrossing, lacing up the hooks on your boot, and tying a bow knot at the top—works well for many people, but not everybody. Correct lacing is taut, but not too tight, from the toe up to the top of the boot or shoe. There should be no loose lacing and the lacing should contact the boot evenly and firmly. Boots are mass-produced, but your feet aren’t. Proper lacing makes sure your boot is customized to you and your natural gait. Below are a few tried-and-true techniques. Use these as a starting point and experiment with your own combinations.
Common Boot Lacing Techniques
Refer to the image for a visual representation of each technique.
Loop
If laces are slipping on a hook, lace “down” a hook instead of “up” to create a loop around the hook. If you have low-cut shoes or running shoes, the marathon loop will do. At the top eyelet, pull the lace through from the eyelet directly below, creating a loop. Then, take the lace and bring it across the shoe, pulling it through the loop on the opposite side.
Surgeon’s knot
At the top of the instep, twist the laces around each other twice, bring up to the next eyelet or hook, and repeat. Continue this knot pattern up the boot for however many inlets that give you the most support without being too constricting. This locks the heel down and prevents the foot from moving forward in the boot more than necessary.
Overhand knot
This is most common means of locking off tension below the knot. Twist laces around each other one time before bringing the lace through the next eyelet or hook. Both the overhand and surgeon’s lacing techniques prevent unnecessary slipping in the boot.
D-ring lock
Guide the lace around through the eyelet from the top rather than from below to apply a more secure pressure on the lace.
Other Lacing Techniques
Low-Cut Shoe Heel Lock
Make a loop through the double eyelet at the top of the shoe and lace back through the loop. Pull up against the loop to snug your heel into the heel pocket. With this lock and all others, be sure to leave enough space between the laces so you aren’t cutting off circulation. The goal is to lock your foot into place, not lock off blood flow.
Follow this video for instructions.
Boot Heel Lock
To distribute pressure, create a loop between two hooks and pass the lace from above and through, then continue upward. Here’s an instructional video.
Low Volume
To improve performance with low volume or narrow feet, utilize one or more of the “locking” techniques to hold the foot securely in place without causing excessive pressure or irritation. Experiment to see what feels best on your feet.
High Instep
To reduce pressure over the instep, skip crossing the laces over the sensitive area sometimes associated with having a high instep. It’s a good idea to use with a locking procedure before and after as shown here. More of a visual learner? Check out this how-to video.
Special Knot Techniques
Now that you’ve laced up your boot, it’s time to finish it all off with a neat bow. Before you put your foot in the boot to tie it, make sure the laces are slightly loosened down the boot. Forcing your foot into a tight boot puts more stress on the eyelets and wears them out faster.
Square knot
To tie a square knot, begin with an overhand knot, take the two loops and pass “right over left, then left over right.” The finished product should have bow loops that point to the sides. For hiking and walking, this is the ideal bow positioning. Look here to see what that looks like.
Granny Knot
This is a very common knot that is less secure than a square knot; it comes undone easily under a lot of weight or heavy movement. You know you have a granny knot when the bow loops point up and down. For the difference between a granny and square knot and how to best tie your laces, check out this video.
Written by Backpacker's Editors and Contributors for Backpacker.com, published on March 31, 2022N.A.C. NEWS
(Sunday, January 1, 2023)
Good Morning,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope you have an incredible year full of love, family, friends and most importantly, ADVENTURE!
2022 is now complete. Our final event was held this past Sunday. 27 people and 2 canines attended our Annual Festival of Lights walk, the largest turn out for this event yet.
I would like to thank all those who participated in many different ways during 2022 and helped in making Niagara Adventure Club and all our events a success.
In 2022 we hosted;
19 Day Hikes
1 Indoor Climbing Lesson
6 Indoor Climbing Days
1 Week Long Expedition
And now, 2023 begins with 3 new events which are posted below. An indoor climbing day, an evening Haunted Hike, and a 3 day Primitive Backpacking Trip on the Syndenham Bruce Trail. And as promised, plans are underway for our 2023 Expeditions, which will include trips to Iceland and Yosemite. I plan to have the Iceland plans complete and posted by January 7th. Season Pass holders will have first access for 5 days, remaining spots will open to the general public after that time.
It's not too late to get your 2023 Season Pass! Get your Pass now and receive a year of Benefits from our NAC Partners, as well as priority access to major events and event discounts. Please consider purchasing a Niagara Adventure Club 2023 Season Pass!
That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club
Get your 2023 Season Pass!
Season Pass sales are a big part of what keep Niagara Adventure Club going, and with all the benefits and discounts that come with being a Season Pass holder, it's basically free!