boot lacing

“I know there must be a way to lace my hiking boots, in order to better secure my heel. I'm getting
too much movement in that area. Help me with this. Is there a site on the net to research such information?”

“Yeah, I have the same problem. Bunyip posted a link to a website that had diagrams for a lacing pattern that locks the heel. Since I started lacing my boots that way I haven't had any more problems with my heel slipping.

I'll have to look to see if I can find that website, though. I didn't bookmark it and I can't remember it right off. If I find it, I'll post it for you.”

“start lacing your boots at the top and end up tieing your boots across the toes”

“When you get to the hooks, at the top, try running the laces from over the top of the hooks (reverse direction), instead of up from underneath.

I hope that makes some sort of sense....”

“Inserts work great”

“Inserts might do the trick, but be sure that you're not lifting your heel too high, in the heal box, or you may cause problems such as blisters”

“Skullcap, it was a hiking boot company page wasn't it?”

“Hodgeman what you're describing (I think) is the I lace my boots. I go to the top hooks first then to the lower 2nd set and then tie them. I do it because I hate to have the laces tight where they criss cross over the top of my feet. Lacing this way sure locks my foot in the boot.”

“Actually Tango, I haven't tried that....

What I was attempting to describe, was merely to reverse the direction, in which you wrap around the hook. So, instead of coming up around the outside of the hook as normal, come up the middle then out and down around the hook. Then cross and move up to the next set of hooks

He He .... I need a diagram”

“I totally understand. I don't do it that way then... ha ha.”

“I have heard that the laces should be loose going uphill and tight going downhill, or vice versa. For most of my hiking I would be spending most of the day redoing the laces, if I tried to follow this.

I have no problem. I buy cheap boots that fit and do not require any break-in period. Yes, cheap! The previous pair cost me $13.00 at Payless and lasted 5 years (about 18-20 months of use). I can still use them in dry weather, but they will now leak water through some seam cracks.”

“Don't you worry about them coming apart on the trail, maybe two days from the trial head? I've heard many people do buy the cheap ones, but with my luck, they will disintegrate 3 days out, ruin the trip, and I'll hobble back to the car.”

“You're fortunate that you can do that Nowslimmer. My feet revolt when I make them carry me more than 5 miles,my heels are narrow and rub no matter what kind of boots I have.

The way that Bunyip showed to do it was to run the laces up two clips, then cross the laces over the boot, lace the laces through the loops you just created and then continue to lace the boot as normal. Keep lacing as usual after that. It's really hard to explain w/o a diagram.”

“I have a high instep, so lacing to keep my heel secure can be a problem. I've solved it by buying boots that fit like a glove, and by lacing. I lace the toe box, mid foot relatively loose, up to the instep. There I cross the laces over and under (like the first half of a knot, not sure how else to explain). I can then lace the ankle tighter, without tightening the lower foot. The good tight ankle keeps my heel in place.”

“Google search on "boot lacing" turns up several hits.

Look at this pic, you can see the simple solution I found on my left boot, over the instep. It allows different tension above and below the instep.

Boot and Laces”

“Ldhiker - No, I've never had that problem. But on the trail I have provided tape to others to hold their soles to their boots. And I have provided plenty of moleskin to people in need.

(The $13 boots had been marked down at least twice. My replacement last summer cost about $40 at Walmart and did not require any break-in period.)

Sassafras - Sounds like you handled your problem real well.

I haave large feet, which are different and require redistribution of my weight on one foot. So I wear prescribed, orthopedic inserts made for my feet.

I'm still laughing over a thread here. People said that their expensive boots required about 500 miles as a break-in period. And they were serious in praising those boots. Heck, most people only get 2-3 weeks each year on their boots. And they are going to disintegrate over time.”

“the sales person at REI showed me a lacing technique that helps hold my heel in - the way Hodgeman described it - over the hooks instead of under.”

“My Salomon Backcountry 8's required zero, zip, nada, never ever breakin. They are now about 7 years old and kickin' strong.”

“Yes, Pathman. I believe you mentioned them before, and I checked them out. They do look good.”

“and ask her to re-show you how to tie your shoelaces....

geez folks...its not rocket science here...can't you figure the thing out for yourselves? next you'll be asking which way to put your underware on...front ways or backways...crak me up!

oh oh...wait,,,I have a question...should I use a spoon or a fork to eat my supper with? I know...go fork myself...yeah yeah yeah...you first.”

“I think what Pathman is describing is how the guy at REI showed me when I bought my boots: once you get to the "open" hooks, start to tie a knot, but only do what is essentially the first half of a square knot; then lace up the ankle however works best. I've had heel blister problems at times, but have solved that with duct tape before I even take one step - it works.”

“I'll get off of my soapbox.”

“Montrail took the diagram off their website but I'll try to explain what I learned from them.

Tie your boot normally until you get to the top two clips. Wrap the lace around both of these clips and then thread the lace under the lace that runs between both clips on the other side. Then tie normally. Does that make any sense?”

“It's not high art, but here is a diagram of that boot lacing technique. The bottom of the diagram is the top of the boot (toward you).

This one looks like it would work well too.”

“That's the one I use too Violin. It works well, and looks purty too.”

“Which one? My first or second link?”

“First.”

“a poor fit reflects the footwear more than the laceing”

“Yes Sass, it was on a manufacturer's website. I didn't have much time to look last night. I'll look again tonight, I should have more time. I may have bookmarked it on the other computer. I also may have saved the diagram on the other computer. If so, I'll post it. That's a good description of how to do it, though.”

“Pathman - You're doing just great. Just wanted you to realize that some of us hear you and pay attention.

Violin - Sorry, but you're dead. Your credibility is gone. I no longer click on your links,
LOL .”

“For a great summary of several lacing techniques try
http://www.timeoutdoors.com/walk/kit/3WLKSFM01110113E.htm" target="_blank"> this link I saved after finding it on the AMC boards a while back.”

“the last illustration on that page ought to be the secure the heel is for the loose heel”

“OK, I found two different websites with two different lacing techniques. One is for narrow heels but otherwise average feet that just have a bit of a slipping problem. I tried it and it didn't work for me--I have funky-shaped feet. This is it.

The other is for very narrow heels and high insteps which I have. So it's the one I use. It's the one Sassafrass described. It works very well for me, no more slipping since I started using it.

Good luck!

P.S. I miss Bunyip.”

“I miss him too.”