The right fit is key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/image-14.png\")
Always centred<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIn the morning before heading out, there\u2019s usually plenty of time to properly lace your shoes. After about 15-20 minutes<\/strong>, however, the shoe has begun to warm up and consequently to expand. Even though they may have felt very snug 30 minutes before, now the boots start to rub uncomfortably on a particular area.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNow you definitely need to take the time to lace your shoes again. And, don\u2019t feel bad about making your walking buddies wait on you to do so. At least you won\u2019t be ruining the entire hill walk for them later because of all the pain you\u2019re in. Plus, your companions would probably benefit from some minor adjustments as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tongue should be centred<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You should always try to keep the tongue of the shoe centred<\/strong> because if it happens to move to the side, it can cause pressure points. So, if you give your tongue a little direction to begin with, it\u2019ll happily do as it\u2019s told.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf the tongue of your shoe is a little stubborn and unruly, you can lace your boots as seen in the photo. However, this method can lead to a loss of pressure in the shaft, which can be a little unpleasant as well.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/image-15.png\")
More airy at the top<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLacing lower around your ankle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Particularly when walking uphill<\/strong>, tying the knot a little further down can create more space for your feet to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor this, you can guide the laces over the top of the hooks, which will result in the knot being around 1-2cm lower. How much one or two centimetres really matter is unknown, but there are people who swear by this technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will create more tension and the shoe will remain snug and won\u2019t loosen up as quickly, which is certainly a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two zone lacing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Different](\"https:\/\/www.alpinetrek.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Lacing-with-zones-1-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>Lacing with zones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nA lot of walking and mountaineering boots<\/a> have locking hooks<\/strong>, making it possible to divide the lacing up into zones<\/strong>. Thus, you can lace the instep independently from the collar.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor ascents<\/strong>, it is recommended that you lace zone 1<\/strong> a little more tightly for a secure fit and leave the upper section (zone 2) somewhat looser.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor descents<\/strong>, it is better to tighten up both areas so that your foot doesn\u2019t slide forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe worrisome heel slippage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If your heel doesn\u2019t sit securely in the boot, your heel will rub against the shoe. This will not only destroy your perfectly good socks, but it will also cause painful blisters. In order to prevent this (especially if your heel is particularly sensitive), there is the heel lock technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Wanderschuhe-schnueren-flaschenzugtechnik-1.jpg\")
Pulley technique – Step 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Wanderschuhe-schnueren-flaschenzugtechnik-2.jpg\")
Pulley technique – Step 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo do this, thread the laces directly through the hooks (without the crisscross pattern). Then guide each lace and loop it under the opposing side. Then pull the laces through until you feel your heel is secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then continue as you would with the crisscross pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More room at the instep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes you will feel pressure on your instep, which can be the result of a ganglion<\/strong> or an uneven instep<\/strong> (which most of us have). You can alleviate this pressure by freeing up some space at the instep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Wanderschuhe-schnueren-Platz-Spann-2.jpg\")
Leave some space like this<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Wanderschuhe-schnueren-Platz-Spann-1.jpg\")
Or this<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo do this, just guide your laces through two eyelets on the same side where you feel the tension, but don\u2019t cross them over. This way, you will alleviate the pressure at the instep.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/image-16.png\")
Sits, fits, wobbles \u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTightening without hooks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most walking boots have hooks<\/strong> and thus two zones. But, there is a way to create more lacing zones<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo do this, when crossing your laces over, just cross them over<\/strong> one more time and then continue to thread them through. That way, there will be so much more tension<\/strong> that it is unlikely that the laces will loosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut, be careful: this will also create more pressure at the instep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One more tip to prevent blisters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/image-17.png\")
Wrightsock socks are specially made for sensitive feet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nI have been told that if you tend to get blisters it can help to wear thin cotton socks<\/strong> underneath your hiking socks, in which case the socks will rub against each other instead of against your foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the morning before heading out, there\u2019s usually plenty of time to properly lace your shoes. After about 15-20 minutes<\/strong>, however, the shoe has begun to warm up and consequently to expand. Even though they may have felt very snug 30 minutes before, now the boots start to rub uncomfortably on a particular area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you definitely need to take the time to lace your shoes again. And, don\u2019t feel bad about making your walking buddies wait on you to do so. At least you won\u2019t be ruining the entire hill walk for them later because of all the pain you\u2019re in. Plus, your companions would probably benefit from some minor adjustments as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should always try to keep the tongue of the shoe centred<\/strong> because if it happens to move to the side, it can cause pressure points. So, if you give your tongue a little direction to begin with, it\u2019ll happily do as it\u2019s told.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the tongue of your shoe is a little stubborn and unruly, you can lace your boots as seen in the photo. However, this method can lead to a loss of pressure in the shaft, which can be a little unpleasant as well.<\/p>\n\n\n Particularly when walking uphill<\/strong>, tying the knot a little further down can create more space for your feet to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this, you can guide the laces over the top of the hooks, which will result in the knot being around 1-2cm lower. How much one or two centimetres really matter is unknown, but there are people who swear by this technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This will create more tension and the shoe will remain snug and won\u2019t loosen up as quickly, which is certainly a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of walking and mountaineering boots<\/a> have locking hooks<\/strong>, making it possible to divide the lacing up into zones<\/strong>. Thus, you can lace the instep independently from the collar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For ascents<\/strong>, it is recommended that you lace zone 1<\/strong> a little more tightly for a secure fit and leave the upper section (zone 2) somewhat looser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For descents<\/strong>, it is better to tighten up both areas so that your foot doesn\u2019t slide forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your heel doesn\u2019t sit securely in the boot, your heel will rub against the shoe. This will not only destroy your perfectly good socks, but it will also cause painful blisters. In order to prevent this (especially if your heel is particularly sensitive), there is the heel lock technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To do this, thread the laces directly through the hooks (without the crisscross pattern). Then guide each lace and loop it under the opposing side. Then pull the laces through until you feel your heel is secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then continue as you would with the crisscross pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes you will feel pressure on your instep, which can be the result of a ganglion<\/strong> or an uneven instep<\/strong> (which most of us have). You can alleviate this pressure by freeing up some space at the instep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To do this, just guide your laces through two eyelets on the same side where you feel the tension, but don\u2019t cross them over. This way, you will alleviate the pressure at the instep.<\/p>\n\n\n Most walking boots have hooks<\/strong> and thus two zones. But, there is a way to create more lacing zones<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To do this, when crossing your laces over, just cross them over<\/strong> one more time and then continue to thread them through. That way, there will be so much more tension<\/strong> that it is unlikely that the laces will loosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, be careful: this will also create more pressure at the instep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have been told that if you tend to get blisters it can help to wear thin cotton socks<\/strong> underneath your hiking socks, in which case the socks will rub against each other instead of against your foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe tongue should be centred<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lacing lower around your ankle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Two zone lacing<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"Different](\"https:\/\/www.bergfreunde.de\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Lacing-with-zones-1.jpg\")
<\/a>The worrisome heel slippage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More room at the instep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tightening without hooks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One more tip to prevent blisters<\/h2>\n\n\n