How to Lace Hiking Boots (and Why It Matters)

How to Lace Hiking Boots (and Why It Matters)

Small Tips with a Big Payoff

If your feet hurt on the trail, the problem isn’t always the boots. It’s often how they’re laced.

Proper lacing can reduce hot spots, improve stability, relieve pressure, and even help prevent blisters and toe bang. Best of all, it doesn’t cost a thing. Just a few minutes and a little know-how.

Here’s how to lace your hiking boots for comfort, control, and confidence on the trail.

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Why Lacing Matters

Hiking boots are designed to support your feet, but only if they’re adjusted correctly. Lacing affects:

• Heel hold and stability

• Pressure on the top of your foot

• Toe room on descents

• Ankle support on uneven terrain

The right technique can turn a “good enough” fit into a great one.

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Before You Lace Up: A Few Basics

🧦 Wear the Right Socks

Always lace your boots while wearing the socks you’ll hike in. Sock thickness changes how boots fit and feel.

🪢 Start from the Bottom

Before adjusting technique, make sure:

• Laces are snug (not tight) across the forefoot

• Your heel is seated all the way back in the boot

• There’s no excess slack hiding lower down

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Common Lacing Techniques (and When to Use Them)

1. Standard Crisscross (Everyday Hiking)

Best for: Well-fitting boots and moderate terrain

This is the default method most people use. For many hikes, it works just fine.

Tip: Snug the laces gradually as you move up the boot, rather than pulling everything tight at once.

Start at the toe and lace evenly through each eyelet.

Steps:

1. Pull snug, not tight, across the forefoot.

2. Gradually increase tension as you move upward.

3. Tie normally at the top.

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2. Heel Lock (Runner’s Loop)

Best for: Heel slip, blisters on the back of the foot, downhill hiking

This technique helps lock your heel in place without over-tightening the forefoot.

How it helps:

• Reduces friction

• Improves downhill control

• Prevents toe bang

💡 Many boots include extra eyelets near the ankle specifically for this purpose.

Steps:

1. Lace normally until the top two eyelets.

2. Thread each lace straight up into the last eyelet on the same side (do not cross).

3. This creates two small loops.

4. Cross the laces and feed each through the opposite loop.

5. Pull down to lock the heel, then tie.

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3. Window Lacing (Relieves Top-of-Foot Pressure)

Best for: Hot spots, numbness, or pressure on the instep

If you feel pain or tingling on the top of your foot, window lacing can help by removing pressure from sensitive areas.

How it works:

• Skip crossing the laces over the sore spot

• Lace straight up instead, creating a “window”

This allows better circulation while keeping the boot secure.

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4. Tight Forefoot, Loose Ankle (Wide Feet or Swelling)

Best for: Long hikes, warm weather, or foot swelling

Feet naturally swell over the course of the day. Adjusting tension helps maintain comfort without sacrificing control.

Try this:

• Keep forefoot snug for stability

• Loosen slightly around the ankle

• Re-tighten as needed during breaks

Steps:

1. Snug laces firmly through the forefoot

2. Ease tension slightly at midfoot and ankle.

3. Adjust as feet swell during the hike.

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5. Extra Ankle Support (Steep or Technical Terrain)

Best for: Heavy packs, uneven trails, or rocky terrain

For more stability:

• Lace snugly through the ankle hooks

• Finish with a heel lock if available

This improves control without over-tightening lower sections of the boot.

Steps:

1. Lace snugly through the ankle hooks.

2. Use hooks designed for locking if available.

3. Finish with a heel lock for maximum control.

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When (and How) to Re-Lace on the Trail

Don’t “set it and forget it.”

Re-lace when:

• Starting a steep climb or descent

• Feet begin to swell

• You notice hot spots forming

💡 A quick lace adjustment early can prevent miles of discomfort later.

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Common Lacing Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Cranking laces too tight everywhere
🚫 Ignoring pressure points
🚫 Using worn-out or slippery laces
🚫 Never adjusting after the trailhead

Comfort comes from balance, not maximum tightness.

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The Bottom Line

Your boots are a system and lacing is a key part of how that system works. Small adjustments can dramatically improve comfort, stability, and confidence on the trail.

If you’re struggling with fit, blisters, or discomfort, our team can help you:

• Adjust lacing for your foot shape

• Choose replacement laces

• Evaluate whether your boots are the right match for your hikes

Sometimes the solution isn’t new boots — it’s just a better lace.