How to Lace Running Shoes for Your Best Fit and Improved Comfort
Runners have all fallen victim at some point to heel slippage, a hot spot or a bruised toenail. Did you know that different shoe lacing techniques can help resolve these issues? Read on for tips to get your optimised fit with the shoes you already have!
Published May 9, 2022
The Runner's Loop
1. Lace the shoe normally until the next-to-last eyelets on either side.
2. Draw the laces backward through the last eyelet to create loops on the outside of the shoe.
3. Cross each lace back across the tongue and through the opposite loop.
The loops help to tighten up the heel collar. This keeps your heel in place as you run.
Parallel Lacing
1. Completely remove the lace from the shoe.
2. Lace the first two eyelets by your big toe.
3. Pull the lace from the first eyelet straight across the tongue to the parallel eyelet.
4. Once through this eyelet, bring the lace up the shoe, skipping one eyelet.
5. Repeat these steps until the laces reach the top of the tongue.
Bruised Toe Lacing
1. Completely remove the lace from the shoe.
2. Thread one end of the lace from the eyelet nearest your big toe diagonally up to the top eyelet. Leave enough lace so the shoe can be tied.
3. Thread the other end of the lace across to the opposite eyelet and then back and forth toward the top of the shoe.
If you have problems with any of your other toes, this can also be done in reverse order to relieve pressure.
Hot Spot Lacing
1. Start by unlacing the shoe to below the spot where you're feeling the irritation.
2. Instead of lacing diagonally over the hot spot, bring the lace directly up the shoe on both sides for as long as it takes to avoid the hot spot.
3. Continue the diagonal lace pattern until you reach the top of the shoe.
