How to Tie Hiking Boots

Hiking has a lot of benefits. It helps one to feel fresh, be optimistic, and maintaining good health. There are certain requisite criteria hikers should perceive. It is also fundamental to learn lacing techniques in hiking boots before the outset of hiking.

Hiking is a great way to experience nature. Some of the new hikers may not be acquainted with hiking basics, beginning from the essentials to the lacing techniques.

You can get a clear picture of how to select good hiking boots and what are the different techniques of lacing hiking boots?

The implications of Lacing Techniques in Hiking boots 

Hiking is not an easy task. Some essentials are required while hiking.  Before hiking, you should know the kind of terrain( rocks, peaks, or muddy) you have set out for hiking. There is more to learn about hiking and its preparation than you think. 

Hiking boots are one of the most essentials. Choosing perfect hiking boots is crucial to overcome hiking obstacles. The size of hiking boots is different from regular shoes. So you must pick out the best boots you are comfortable with. 

For the complete protection of your feet, the laces must be tied flawlessly.  A well-tied lace and how your foot settles in the boots are prerequisites for a good hiking experience. Hiking is an adventure with beautiful experiences.

There is a huge range of hiking boots available. Being a perfectionist in tying the laces of boots is something that is to be addressed seriously. It would be helpful if you comprehend all the labels of hiking boots.

Eyelets are the holes in the boots that allow you to thread the lace through them. These eyelets can be holes punched, webbed, hooked, or D- ring in the upper part of shoes. Hooks are metal eyelets that are lined on the top of the boots.

Hiking is a long, enthusiastic, and tough travel by foot. This can create a lot of pressure on the foot. There are different varieties of lacing techniques that can help you reduce the anxiety of getting hurt.

Let's look into different lacing techniques

Heel Lock Lacing - Prevents heel slippage

Heel lock lacing is also known as Runner’s Loop or Runner’s Tie. Adapting the Heel lock lacing technique helps your heel to be held down, reducing heel slippage. This Lacing is more helpful for people with narrow-angle. Heel lock lacing also helps you in preventing blisters.  

  • Crisscross the laces through the eyelets on both sides.
  • Leave the topmost hooks free without crossing the laces in the top of the boots.
  • Now, rather than the typical crossover, go straight up the hooks.
  • Your right side laces must go straight up the hooks and do the same on the left side too.
  • In a Lock lacing technique creating loops on either side of the boots are essential.
  • Bring the edge of the left lace crossing underneath the loops of the right place that has moved straight up.
  • The edge of the right lace is to be inserted under the loop of the left side.
  • You can pull around the laces now and thus tighten the shoe.
  • Tie your shoes in a normal way after the lace locking technique is done.

Toe Relief Lacing - prevents pressure

 Toe relief lacing helps in relieving the pressure of the toe-box.  Following this lacing technique loosens the toe space and reduces the pressure. 

  • Unlace the hiking boots completely.
  • Re-lace the hiking boots completely, skipping the bottom eyelets.

Surgeon’s Knot - prevents heel slippage

Surgeon’s Knot is the most secure Knot that prevents heel slipping while hiking. Surgeon’s Knot is also known as Double Overhand Knot. This Knot is suitable for those with narrow feet. 

  • Crisscross the laces through the eyelets until the top leaving behind the hooks.
  • Make a loop with two or three folds and tighten the lace.
  • Make sure that the hooks above the ankle are untouched.
  • Continue straight up without crisscrossing and bring the lace through the first hook above.
  • Make two to three loops.
  • You can now feel a comfortable stiffness.
  • Again bring the laces straight underneath the hooks without crisscrossing them.
  • Repeat the same process for higher lace hooks.
  • Now towards the end, tie it usually with a perfect loop.
  • Make sure your Knot never comes undone.

Window Lacing - reduces pressure

Window lacing is also known as box lacing.

If you have a wide foot or high insteps, this lacing technique helps you to relieve discomfort. This perfect Lacing helps to reduce the pressure on the top of the foot. 

  • Crisscross the laces till below the area under pressure or swollen part.
  • Tie a surgeon’s Knot, this helps the area to be rest comfortably without pressure.
  • Bring up the laces straight through the eyelets without crisscrossing them and make another Surgeon’s Knot.
  • The area that needs to be healed shouldn’t have any laces crisscrossing over.
  • You can see a window or opening space that lets the pressure be released.
  • The rest of it can be tied through normal Lacing.

Relaxed Angle Lacing - reduces pressure

This Lacing can be done to reduce excess pressure in your ankle bones.

  • Crisscross the lace through the boots normally.
  • Lace the boots completely till the top hook.
  • Tie knots in the angle part before crisscrossing towards upper hooks, this has added benefits.
  • Tie the normal Knot as usual, but make sure you tie it below the top hook.

Foot Lock Down Lacing - extra protection

This is more like a normal lacing. Foot lockdown lacing can be done to give extra protection. You can do this by Lacing in any part of the foot to provide additional protection and care. 

  • Do the Lacing in a usual way.
  • Continue doing the surgeon’s Knot at the points you need extra relief and to be secured.
  • Towards the end, tie the normal Knot.


Each foot is unique, and each of us may have a different comfort level. It’s always better to try different lacing techniques before you go hiking. Take time and make sure which Lacing helps you.

Even after hiking, always dry your boots and laces in sunlight. Always remember to try different lacing techniques if you had any trouble in the previous hiking.

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