Boots & Footwear Episode 4: Fit, Comfort, Break-In & Lacing Techniques
Master Your Laces: Hiking Boot Lacing Techniques for Ultimate Comfort
In our "Boots & Footwear" series, we're diving into the often-underestimated art of lacing your hiking boots. This isn't just about tying your shoes; strategic lacing can dramatically impact your comfort, prevent pain points, and enhance your performance on the trail.
Every foot is unique, and boots come with various eyelet configurations (set eyelets vs. hook eyelets). What feels comfortable with a standard criss-cross lace pattern for one person might cause agony for another – whether it's pressure on the toes, heel slippage, or discomfort on the top of the foot (a common issue for Drew with his high arches).
We can't stress this enough: experimentation is key! You can combine many of these techniques to create a custom lacing system that perfectly addresses your specific needs.
Crucial Pre-Lacing & Testing Advice:
Set Your Heel: Before you even begin lacing, ensure your heel is firmly seated in the back of the boot. Drew recommends tapping your heel on the ground after putting the boot on to properly set it. This helps prevent heel slippage and associated blisters.
Test at Home, Not in the Field! Never try a new lacing technique for the first time on a multi-day backpacking trip. Test it out thoroughly at home – walk around your house, go for a short walk in your neighborhood, or do a quick mile hike. This allows you to identify and fix any discomfort before it ruins your adventure.
Essential Lacing Techniques & When to Use Them (Demonstrated by Drew):
Toe Relief Lacing (For Wide Feet or Toe Pressure)
Problem: Pressure on the toes, wide forefoot, or "black toenails" on downhill sections.
Technique: Remove the laces from the very first set of eyelets at the bottom of the boot. Simply skip them.
Benefit: This creates more space and reduces pressure in the toe box, offering immediate relief.
Caveat: Ensure your heel remains locked in to prevent your foot from sliding forward, which could lead to new problems like toe banging.
Heel Lock / Surgeon's Knot (For Heel Slippage)
Problem: Your heel slipping up and down inside the boot, causing friction and potential blisters. This often occurs where the eyelets transition to hook eyelets.
Technique: At the point where you want to lock your heel (often at the top of the set eyelets or the first hook eyelet), take the laces and make two overhand knots with them. Cinch them down tightly before continuing to the next eyelets.
Benefit: This knot creates friction that prevents the laces below from loosening, securing your heel in place.
Ankle & Heel Lock (Figure-Eight Style Knot)
Problem: Significant heel slippage and/or needing extra ankle stability.
Technique: Skip the first hook eyelet. Take the lace and loop it backwards around the second hook eyelet on the same side. Then, weave it underneath the opposite lace. Cinch down firmly.
Benefit: This technique powerfully pulls the boot forward and inward, effectively locking both your heel and ankle into place. You can repeat this technique for even more security or combine it with Surgeon's Knots.
High Arch / Top-of-Foot Pressure Relief Lacing
Problem: Discomfort or pressure on the top of your foot, common for individuals with high arches or prominent bones.
Technique: Instead of crossing the laces over the sensitive area, run them straight up to the next eyelet on the same side. This creates a "window" or gap in the lacing pattern over the pressure point.
Benefit: Alleviates direct pressure on the top of your foot, significantly improving comfort over long hours of hiking.
Tip: Use a Surgeon's Knot directly above this "window" to ensure the laces remain secure and don't loosen up.
Finishing Your Laces: Secure & Easy to Untie
Avoid Standard Double Knots: While common, a simple double overhand knot can come undone easily or, if tied too tight, be very difficult to untie.
Double Wrap Underneath: Tie your initial knot, then wrap the laces around each other twice before looping them through underneath the bottom. This creates a secure knot that won't untie while hiking but is still easy to undo.
Box Knot: Another secure and easily untied method. Similar to the double wrap, but with a specific looping technique that creates a "box" shape.
Experiment with these techniques to find the perfect custom lacing system for your feet and your boots. A comfortable boot fit is crucial for enjoyable and pain-free outdoor experiences!