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Backpacker Magazine – April 2003
Common Hiking Boot Lacing Techniques...
...From The Experts At Montrail
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Tags:
- Technique |
- Skills |
- Hiking boots |
- Gear |
The standard lacing technique works well for many people but not everybody. Correct lacing is taut, but not too tight, from the toe up to the top of the boot or shoe. There should be no loose lacing and the lacing should contact the boot evenly and firmly.
Below are a few tried-and-true techniques. Use this as a starting point and experiment with your own.
Loop: If laces are slipping on a hook, lace "down" a hook instead of "up" creating a loop.
D-ring lock: By bringing the lace around through the eyelet from the top, pressure is applied on the lace.
Overhand knot: The most common means of locking off tension below the knot.
Surgeon's knot: this is a very secure means of locking off any chosen tension below the knot.
Marathon loop: Improves heel lock for low-cut shoes.
Common Techniques
Other Lacing Techniques
Low-Cut Shoe Heel Lock
Boot Heel Lock
Low Volume
High Instep
Cuff Pressure
Special Knot Techniques
Granny Knot
Square Knot
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READERS COMMENTS
I have hiking boots with lateral hook lace up the ankle and the hook got caught on the lace of the other boot, sending me flying face first onto the cement walkway. Did anyone else get caught like this with their boots?
I have hiking boots with lateral hook lace up the ankle and the hook got caught on the lace of the other boot, sending me flying face first onto the cement walkway. Did anyone else get caught like this with their boots?
derp
That's a great knot, Ted, but it's not an alternative. What they're demonstrating above is a lacing technique to distribute pressure. You could use Ian's Secure knot with this lacing technique, if you wanted.
Personally, I use a "runner's knot" for all my knots. The "bunny" goes TWICE around the "tree" instead of once... it NEVER slips, but it comes free with a pull of either lace, just like a regular shoelace knot! Brilliant!
I would like to offer this knot as a better alternative - the only knot I've been using on my hiking and running/walking shoes since I came across it a couple years ago. It's called Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot:
http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/secureknot.htm
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