When purchasing new walking or running shoes, there are a variety of factors to consider: foot type, type of activity, mileage, and environment.
Most shoes come pre-laced but did you know there are different lacing techniques that could make your shoes more comfortable and customizable to your feet?
Below are common shoe or foot problems and lacing techniques that target those issues. Here at the clinic, we often refer to the description below written by Dick’s Sporting Goods. They also have a handy lacing techniques printable flyer which you can download here >>
High-arch lacing can help alleviate tightness and add comfort to your shoe’s fit by opening up the middle of the lace pattern.
Steps:
Effect: The middle section will alleviate tightness and add comfort to fit.
Skipping an eyelet and using crisscross lacing can make your running shoes tighter.
Steps:
Effect: Tightens the shoe more than the usual techniques.
Do your running shoes feel too tight? This method evenly distributes the laces for less pressure and added comfort.
Steps:
Effect: The laces will be evenly distributed for added comfort.
By skipping one or two laces, you can create more space for the midfoot.
Steps:
Effect: The pressure is minimized at the side.
This lacing technique can help provide greater support to the ankle and make sure your shoe isn’t too tight.
Steps:
Effect: The ankle gets more support, but the whole shoe isn’t too tight.
This style of lacing can help loosen the entire shoe to give your foot more space and comfort.
Steps:
Effect: Loosens the entire shoe and gives the foot more space.
This pattern of lacing can help lift the toe cap of your running shoe to give your toes more space.
Steps:
Effect: The toe cap will be lifted meaning the toes have more space. NOTE: this one can be tricky to setup. The lace is not evenly centered when you start, and you don’t know if you’ve pulled it too far to one wide or the other until it’s fully laced.
Wide forefoot lacing can allow for more space for the forefoot and in the toe box of your running shoe.
Steps:
Effect: The forefoot gets more space in the toe box.
It might sound trivial, but you can immediately feel a difference when you try these various lacing techniques. Give them a try and let us know if they solve your own personal foot pain issues.
Not sure what method works best for you? Stop by the clinic and I’d be happy to talk with you about foot pain and lacing techniques (I’ll even tie your shoes for you!).
– ASHLEY CHIZEK
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Athletic Trainer
If you have any questions on Fast Lacing System. We will give the professional answers to your questions.