Finding the perfect pair of shoes isn't always enough—how you lace your shoes can significantly impact your comfort, performance, and even foot health. Whether you're a runner dealing with heel slippage or someone with wide feet struggling with tight shoes, the right lacing method can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll explore effective shoe lacing techniques based on different foot types and common ailments, along with expert-backed tips from Reddit’s r/coolguides community.
🔁 1. Heel Lock (Runner’s Loop) – For Heel Slippage
Problem: Your heel lifts while walking or running, causing blisters or instability.
Solution: Use the extra eyelets at the top to create a runner’s loop.
How to do it:
- Lace your shoes normally until the second-to-last hole.
- Instead of crossing, insert each lace into the top eyelet on the same side, creating a loop.
- Cross the laces and thread them through the opposite loop.
- Pull tight and tie.
✅ Benefits: Locks the heel in place and prevents unnecessary movement.
👟 Best for: Runners, hikers, and anyone with narrow heels.
👣 2. Wide Feet or Toe Pain – Skip-Eyelet or Parallel Lacing
Problem: Pressure on the top or sides of the foot, especially near the toes.
Solution: Skip certain eyelets or use a parallel lacing style.
Skip-Eyelet Method:
- Simply skip a set of eyelets where the pressure is greatest.
- Resume lacing normally afterward.
Parallel Lacing (Bar Lacing):
- The lace runs straight across each eyelet pair rather than diagonally.
- Reduces pressure points on top of the foot.
✅ Benefits: Eases pressure and allows more toe room.
👟 Best for: Wide feet, bunions, or post-injury swelling.
🦶 3. High Arches – Gap Lacing
Problem: Laces dig into the top of your foot.
Solution: Create a gap in the lacing over the arch.
How to do it:
- Lace normally until just before the pressure point.
- Skip the eyelets over the arch, then resume lacing.
✅ Benefits: Reduces top-foot pain from tight laces.
👟 Best for: High arches, top-of-foot pain.
🧍 4. Narrow Feet – Full Criss-Cross With Tightening Zones
Problem: Feet slide around in the shoe, causing instability.
Solution: Use every eyelet with tight criss-cross lacing.
How to do it:
- Lace tightly in the lower half for snug fit.
- Loosen a bit in the middle, then tighten again at the top.
✅ Benefits: Creates a secure fit for slim feet.
👟 Best for: Narrow feet or lightweight shoes.
🚶 5. One Foot Larger Than the Other – Asymmetric Lacing
Problem: One shoe always feels tighter or looser.
Solution: Adjust the lacing tension separately.
How to do it:
- Lace the tighter shoe with more looseness in problem areas.
- Use more tension where the foot is narrower or slipping.
✅ Benefits: Customized fit for each foot.
👟 Best for: Uneven foot sizes.
🧦 Bonus Tip: Combine Techniques
You don’t have to use just one method! If you have multiple foot concerns (e.g., wide toe box + heel slippage), combine techniques for a tailored fit. You might need longer laces depending on the shoe style.
⚠️ When to See a Specialist
If you experience chronic foot pain, tingling, numbness, or burning sensations, don’t rely on lacing alone. See a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist to rule out conditions like:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton’s Neuroma
🧵 Helpful Resource: Ian’s Shoelace Site
Looking to explore more styles? Visit fieggen.com—a goldmine for lacing techniques, both functional and decorative.
✅ Final Thoughts
Don’t underestimate the power of a good lacing technique. A small adjustment can relieve pain, improve your posture, and even extend the life of your shoes.
Whether you're training for a marathon, walking to work, or just trying to avoid foot pain—the right lacing method can change everything.