How to Lace A Shoe Properly

Proper shoe lacing takes more thought than you think.

Lacing your shoes or athletic footwear properly can prevent injuries and add to comfort, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Laces help keep the foot securely positioned inside the shoe allowing for a better fit. There are different lacing techniques for different foot shapes. Using the right technique can help relieve foot pain and prevent foot problems. When buying shoes, look for a style with lots of eyelets so you can adjust the laces to make the shoe fit better.

Instructions

1. Choose shoes that have larger eyelets. This makes it easier to adjust the laces for a more comfortable fit. Walking shoes require flexibility so the shoe has some give as you walk. Fabric or leather loops offer more flexibility than plastic or metal eyelets, which can irritate the top of the foot. Eyelets tend to give more than punched out holes.

2. Loosen the laces before putting on your shoes. This prevents placing needless stress on the eyelets and backs of the shoes. When trying on a new pair of shoes, take out the laces and re-lace applying equal pressure.

3. Begin by lacing the eyelets closest to the toes. If you need more room in the toe area, string one end of the shoelace from the bottom eyelet to the top eyelet on the opposite side. Pull on the lace to increase room in the toe box.

4. Tighten for a comfortable fit by pulling the laces of one set of eyelets at a time. This prevents putting stress on the top of the shoe. If the heel of your foot is narrow or slips inside the shoe, try looping the laces through one another at the top before tying your shoe.

5. Crisscross the laces to the top of the shoe. Depending on the shape of your foot, it may be necessary to change the lacing pattern. If you have a high arch, you can skip the crisscross pattern near the arch and string the laces straight up to the next eyelet. You can also weave the laces straight across the tongue of the shoe instead of diagonally. Horizontal lacing helps to reduce pressure on the top of the foot.

6. Lace the eyelets closer to the tongue of the shoe. This gives you more width in the lacing area and will be more comfortable if you have wide feet. Shoes with extra eyelets can help fit a shoe to your foot shape.

7. Skip lacing the eyelets over an area of foot pain. Leaving a space helps to alleviate pressure.

References

• Brigham and Women's Hospital: Athletic Shoes: Lace Them to Fit
• American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society: Lacing Techniques for Proper Shoe Fit
• Diabetes Self Management: How to Choose Footwear
• Bnet: Making Athletic Shoes Fit Better