How to Tie a Heel Lock, Heel Lock Lacing

Heel-Lock Lacing

The heel-lock (also called marathon loop) lacing helps keep your heel in place. If you feel your heel slipping up and down in your shoe, try this to lock your foot in place.

1. Make sure your shoes are laced in a normal criss-cross pattern (this is probably how they came out of the box)
2. Starting on the outside, take the excess lace and thread it into the open lace hole at the top of the shoe, but don’t pull it all the way through to create a small loop
3. Repeat on the inside of the shoe so you have two loops on either side
4. Cross each lace over the tongue, and slip the tip of the lace through the loop on the opposite side
5. Tighten the laces and tie normally

Note: Don’t tighten the laces too much. It can put excess pressure on the front of your ankle, which can also be uncomfortable.

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The Honeymoon Phase

Now that you have a lacing technique to your liking, it might be a good idea to look into some of the other aspects your boots have to offer. Check out some of our comprehensive boot guides for inspiration and practical tips on how to better understand your gear: How to Find Hiking Boots How to Break in Hiking Boots How to Clean Hiking Boots And feel free to share some of your favorite lacing techniques. We’re always looking for new methods, so comment away!

The Heel Lock: A Critical Lacing Technique

This is one of the simplest ways to lace your boots and one of the most crucial. The “heel lock,” also known as the “lace lock,” keeps your heel from sliding up and down and the rest of your foot from sliding back and forth in your boot, both of which could cause friction blisters. It also provides extra stability for “low-volume” or narrow feet. This lock is also great if you want a snug, secure fit around your foot, but still want to avoid cutting off all blood circulation to your feet. You carry out a heel lock by using the top hooks. There are usually two on each side of a boot at the ankle. Lace your boots any way you want up to those hooks, then, instead of crossing the laces diagonally through them, pull them straight up through both hooks. Then cross the laces, pull them down to the lower set of hooks , and tie them. This will place your heel securely in your boot. A heel lock can also be modified for a low-cut boot with eyelets. In these types of boots, the last two eyelets will be next to each other instead of one on top of the other. Pull your laces up through the first eyelet then down through the next eyelet on the same side, but don’t pull them tight — leave a loop. Next you’ll lace back through the loops you made and pull up against them, keeping your heel snug in the boot. Step-by-step directions: 1. Make sure your base laces are tight, real tight. They should feel similar to when you pluck the strings on a guitar, movable but never loose. 2. Next, lace your boots over the top of your foot. Go through one more time and tighten your laces, as you would with the surgeon’s knot. You’ll notice a more secure fit around your ankle and heel at this step. 3. Instead of the normal crisscross pattern you’d typically follow, take your laces straight up the quick-lace hooks (see picture). You’re essentially skipping one of the crisscross steps. 4. Take each lace and loop it under its opposing side (the straight line between your quick-lace hooks). Pull them through and tighten until your heel feels secure. 5. Like step 2, follow the same procedure and lace the top of your boot, making sure to go through one additional time. Proceed to tie your shoe normally and don’t forget to double knot at the end! 6. If your boot looks like the photo below then you’re done! Walk around and make sure if feels comfortable. Adjust your laces accordingly.

Wide Feet Lacing

If your shoe feels too narrow, try this lacing technique for wide feet. It’ll give you a little more space in the to box and midfoot, which could be enough to let you run comfortably. This is also a good trick to use if you’re going to be on your feet for an extended period of time—like in an ultramarathon—and you know that your feet will swell.

1. Unlace the shoe until it’s only threaded straight across through the bottom lace hole on either side, and the lace is going into the shoe on both sides
2. Beginning with the lace on the lateral side of the shoe, thread it up to the second lace hole from inside the shoe and push it through
3. Take the tip of the same lace and pull it straight across, over the tongue, to the second hole on the medial side, and thread it down into the hole
4. Repeat with the lace on the medial side, but skip the second lace hole and thread the tip of the lace through the third (from the inside, out)
5. Cross that lace over the tongue and thread it through the third hole on the lateral side of the shoe (from the outside, in)
6. Repeat the pattern all the way up the shoe, and then tie off normally at the top

Note: The technique should create horizontal laces all the way up the shoe instead of crossing over in an X pattern.

Why Use Heel Lock Lacing?

Runners already know the benefits of heel lock lacing. A heel lock lace is super simple to achieve and the benefits are tremendous. 

The 3 primary benefits:

1. Helps prevent your heel from slipping by locking your heel and foot into place
2. Creates a super tight and securely finished knot
3. Provides extra rear foot stability and room for your toes

Related: If you’re enjoying this article, then you might like this article on Boot Styles for Men too.

Related Links

Same lacing method for shoes with lugs instead of eyelets.

Lock Lacing can be used to overcome the odd-eyelet-pair limitation of Straight Bar Lacing.

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