Whether it's a day hike or a multi-day mountain tour - lacing your hiking boots correctly is crucial for comfort and safety. In this guide, you will find out how to lace your hiking boots optimally to avoid pressure points and ensure a secure fit.
Table of contents
Why is the right lacing so important for hiking boots?
What lacing techniques are there for hiking boots?
How do I prevent the dreaded heel slip?
How do I lace hiking boots correctly from the bottom up?
Special tips for difficult terrain: lacing uphill and downhill correctly
Conclusion
Why is it so important to lace hiking boots correctly?
You probably know the feeling: After a long hike, your feet hurt and you discover nasty pressure points. In most cases, this is not due to the hiking boot itself, but to the wrong lacing. Correct lacing ensures that your foot is optimally held in the shoe and prevents these annoying pressure points.
A well-laced hiking boot forms a single unit with your foot. It is neither too loose - which can lead to blisters - nor too tight, which impedes circulation and also causes pressure points. Finding the right balance is crucial for a pleasant day's hiking.
Especially when going uphill and downhill, a secure heel fixation is crucial. If the lacing is incorrect, your foot will slide back and forth in the shoe, which is not only uncomfortable but can also lead to painful blisters. With every step, the shoe rubs against a different part of your foot and blisters are practically inevitable. By the way: If you would like to know more about how to avoid blisters, we have a special guide for this.
Well-laced hiking boots also give you more stability in the terrain and reduce the risk of ankle injuries. The shoe can only fulfill its supportive function if it fits tightly enough. This aspect should not be underestimated, especially on uneven ground or scree. Your ankles are better stabilized and the risk of twisting your ankle is significantly reduced.
What lacing techniques are there for hiking boots?
There are various lacing techniques that can be useful depending on the shape of your foot and your hiking plans. The best known are
Parallel lacing
With classic parallel lacing, the laces run parallel to each other. This technique is particularly suitable for hiking boots with a wide forefoot, as the pressure is distributed evenly.
This is how it works:
- Guide the laces through the lowest eyelets so that they enter on the outside and exit on the inside.
- Guide both ends upwards to the next eyelet, keeping them parallel and not crossing them.
- Repeat this process up to the top eyelet.
The advantage of this method is the even distribution of pressure over the instep. It is particularly suitable for people with a high instep or sensitive feet. However, this lacing technique is not as effective when it comes to fixing the heel.
Pulley technique
The pulley technique ensures better power transmission when lacing. Here, the laces are threaded crosswise through the eyelets, which enables tighter lacing with less effort. This technique is particularly practical if you want to lace up your hiking boots quickly and effectively.
This is how it works:
- As with parallel lacing, start at the lowest eyelets.
- Then pull the left lace diagonally to the top right and the right lace diagonally to the top left.
- Guide the laces through the eyelets from the outside to the inside.
- Repeat this criss-cross pattern all the way to the tip.
The great advantage of the pulley technique is the excellent power transmission. You need less force to lace the shoe tightly. This is a real advantage, especially for longer tours where you have to re-lace the boot several times. The pressure is also distributed more evenly over the entire lacing area.
Two-zone lacing
The two-zone lacing is perfect for lacing different areas of the shoe to different degrees of tightness. You divide the lacing zones into a front area (toe area and instep) and a rear area (ankle and shaft). Most modern hiking boots support this lacing technique with special locking eyelets or deep-pull hooks that can fix the laces at a specific point.
This is how it works:
- Lace up the front area (up to the instep) moderately tightly.
- Pass the shoelace through the eyelets or deep-drawing hooks and pull it tight.
- Hold the tension and lace the upper area (shaft) separately, depending on the desired firmness.
This differentiated lacing is particularly important because your foot needs different amounts of support and freedom of movement in different areas. In the front area, the shoe should be tight enough to provide good support, but not so tight that it constricts the foot or causes pressure points. The toe area needs a little more room to move, as the toes slide forward when rolling and walking downhill.
The locking eyelets or low pull hooks are a crucial element of modern hiking boots. They allow you to secure the laces firmly before moving on to the next section. This way, you can ensure that the area you have already laced up remains tight while you adjust the next area. When buying new hiking boots, make sure that they are equipped with such eyelets - they make it much easier to lace them up properly.
How do I prevent the dreaded heel slip?
Every hiker is familiar with the infamous heel slip. The heel slides upwards in the shoe, which is not only uncomfortable but can also lead to blisters. To prevent this, there is a special lacing technique for securing the heel in the shoe.
This is how it works:
- Lace up the front part of the shoe (toe area and instep) moderately tightly.
- At the uppermost eyelets on the shaft, guide the laces from the inside to the outside.
- Then pass the lace on the same side through the eyelet below from the outside to the inside.
- This creates a loop that you can pull tight to secure the heel.
- Finally, tie the shoelace as usual.
This technique, also known as the "surgeon's knot", creates a kind of loop that works like a pulley and puts more tension on the heel area. It is particularly effective in holding the heel firmly in the shoe.
The right tension in the upper area is crucial. The shoe should be tight enough to hold the heel in place, but not so tight that it hinders blood circulation or causes pain.
To test whether your heel is properly secured, tap your heel on the ground several times. The heel should not slide upwards in the shoe. Another test: stand on tiptoe - again, the heel should hardly slide upwards in the shoe.
How do I lace hiking boots correctly from the bottom up?
Systematic lacing from the bottom up is the key to a perfectly fitting hiking boot.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Start with loose lacing at the lowest eyelets so that the toe area has enough room.
- Work your way upwards, eyelet by eyelet, increasing the pressure slightly.
- You should pay particular attention to the right amount of pressure in the instep area. If the laces are tied too tightly, this can quickly lead to pressure points, as many sensitive tendons run over the instep.
- The shoelace should be evenly distributed and not cut anywhere.
An often overlooked aspect: the laces themselves play an important role. Laces that are too thin can cut in and cannot be tightened properly. Shoelaces that are too thick may not fit well through the eyelets. High-quality, slightly rough shoelaces made of synthetic material or nylon have the advantage that they do not come undone so easily and are easy to handle even when wet.
A tip: If you notice after a few steps that the shoe is too tight or too loose in one place, don't be afraid to adjust the lacing. With new hiking boots in particular, it can take some time to find the perfect lacing for your foot.
Special tips for difficult terrain: lacing uphill and downhill correctly
Depending on the terrain, an adapted lacing technique can significantly increase comfort. Different types of terrain place different demands on your foot position and therefore also on the ideal lacing of your hiking boots.
Uphill
When walking uphill, there is a risk of your feet slipping backwards in the shoe. Tighter lacing on the instep prevents the foot from slipping forward and gives you more stability. However, make sure that you don't tighten the laces too tightly, as the foot expands slightly when walking uphill.
When climbing, your weight shifts to the forefoot and toes. The forefoot area therefore needs more space. At the same time, the heel needs to be well secured to prevent it from slipping back.
This is the best way to lace up for the ascent:
- Loosen the lacing slightly in the toe area.
- Tighten the instep area a little more.
- Pay particular attention to fixing the heel well using the technique described above.
- The upper should be laced tightly, but not too tightly, to allow the necessary flexibility for steep ascents.
Downhill
When walking downhill, your feet slide forward, which can easily lead to sore toes. A slightly looser lacing on the instep is recommended here to avoid pressure points on the shin. At the same time, the lacing on the shaft should be particularly tight to hold the heel in place.
When descending, your foot is pushed towards the toe of the shoe. The toes therefore need more space, while the heel must be firmly secured to prevent it from slipping forward too much. The shin leans against the front shaft of the shoe, so comfortable padding and lacing that is not too tight in this area is important.
This is the best way to lace up for the descent:
- Give the toe area more room by lacing the lower eyelets a little looser.
- Keep the middle area (instep) moderately tight, but not too tight, to prevent pressure points.
- Fix the heel particularly well with the heel fixation technique to prevent it from slipping forward too much.
- Make sure that the upper shaft area on the shin is not too tight to avoid uncomfortable pressure.
Aspecial tip: The so-called "downhill knot" can be helpful when descending. You first lace up the shoe as normal, but then tie an intermediate knot at the point where the instep joins the shaft before tying the final knot. This keeps the lower part loose for the toes, while the upper part is tight enough to hold the heel in place.
Hiking with heavy luggage
A heavy rucksack changes your posture and the strain on your feet. In this case, you should pay particular attention to a stable lacing that holds the hiking boot firmly on your foot without constricting it. The lacing techniques must be applied with particular care to ensure that your feet are optimally secured in the boot.
A heavy rucksack changes your center of gravity and increases the strain on your feet and ankles. Every step becomes more intense, the risk of twisting your ankle increases and the risk of your foot slipping forward in the shoe increases.
This is the best way to lace up with a heavy load:
- Pay particular attention to even, firm lacing over the entire foot.
- The heel must be very firmly secured to prevent slipping.
- The upper should be laced tightly to give the ankle additional support.
- Try two-zone lacing to meet the different needs of the forefoot and ankle area.
- Check the lacing more frequently during the tour, as the fit can change under heavy load.
Tip: If you are traveling with heavy luggage, it is worth wearing high-quality hiking socks with additional padding. They not only offer more comfort, but also help to fill the shoe optimally and thus provide better support.
Conclusion
- Hiking boots need to be laced differently in different zones
- Heel fixation is crucial for a secure hold when hiking
- Correct lacing prevents pressure points and blisters
- Two-zone lacing enables optimum adjustment to the foot
- Regular re-lacing during the hike is important
With these tips, nothing will stand in the way of your next hike - pain-free and with optimum support in your perfectly laced hiking boots! Always take the time to lace up your shoes carefully before starting your hike - it's worth it and can make the difference between an enjoyable hike and a painful one.
Want to make your hikes even more enjoyable? Discover our other articles and get more tips for unforgettable outdoor adventures!
The best mountain hiking tips for beginners and connoisseurs
Snowshoe hiking: The best tips and most beautiful tours
First aid kit for hiking: Your guide for more safety on the trail
Preventing blisters when hiking: the best tips and tricks
