How to lace up your hiking shoes for better comfort?

Many people who buy light hiking shoes or boots keep the lacing just as it comes or use the normal method for everyday shoes. But there are many different lacing techniques and some can make a huge difference in your comfort. Lacing is all about threading the shoelaces through the loops or eyelets of a hiking boot. It involves adjusting the tension of the laces at various points to fit the shape of your feet. This helps to ease the pressure on your feet and toes and avoid potential issues like sore spots or blisters. Different lacing methods can also help address foot issues such as narrow feet, high arches or heel slippage that can affect your comfort. Meanwhile, paired with our Navic Fit™ system, it can make sure your foot is securely locked in place.

At Columbia Sportswear®, we are all about making the outdoors more accessible to more people. Browse our all-terrain shoes and men's and hiking clothes for women and ensure you've got your hiking gear all tied up.

Why is lacing important for comfort?

Proper lacing of your hiking shoes is essential, especially if you've got a particularly wide or narrow foot or experience foot issues. Even if you struggle to find the perfect style of comfortable hiking shoes for your specific needs, different lacing styles can turn painful shoe issues into a perfectly fitted pair. A good lacing technique will help evenly distribute pressure across your foot to prevent discomfort, blisters and hot spots. As everyone's feet swell during the day, adjusting the tension of your laces throughout the hike is important to ensure you stay comfortable. Once you've picked the right size (see our size guide for help), when you lace men's and women's hiking boots, you must ensure they fit snuggly but not too tight. When tied correctly, your hiking boot laces also help lock your heel in the shoe so it cannot lift and cause friction when you move.

Are you expecting the trails to be wet on your next hike? Check out our range of waterproof shoes for men to keep your feet dry and happy.

Why is lacing important for comfort?

Proper lacing of your hiking shoes is essential, especially if you've got a particularly wide or narrow foot or experience foot issues. Even if you struggle to find the perfect style of comfortable hiking shoes for your specific needs, different lacing styles can turn painful shoe issues into a perfectly fitted pair. A good lacing technique will help evenly distribute pressure across your foot to prevent discomfort, blisters and hot spots. As everyone's feet swell during the day, adjusting the tension of your laces throughout the hike is important to ensure you stay comfortable. Once you've picked the right size (see our size guide for help), when you lace men's and women's hiking boots, you must ensure they fit snuggly but not too tight. When tied correctly, your hiking boot laces also help lock your heel in the shoe so it cannot lift and cause friction when you move.

Are you expecting the trails to be wet on your next hike? Check out our range of waterproof shoes for men to keep your feet dry and happy.

How do you lace hiking shoes for comfort?

Properly lacing your men's or women's hiking shoes is your first step (after buying a pair of our walking shoes) towards a comfortable and enjoyable hike. Before you start, ensure you're wearing good quality hiking socks and your foot is pressed into the heel of the hiking boot or shoe.

It's a good idea to lightly tap your heel against something solid to ensure it's fully pushed back. Now, you're ready to start lacing. Here are some lacing tips to try depending on your needs:

Classic crisscross: This lacing option is ideal for hikers without foot problems and with great-fitting shoes. Working your way up the shoe, thread each lace diagonally while pulling each side through the opposite eyelet. Do the same on both sides of your mountain hiking shoes and you’ll be trail ready.
Surgeon's knot: This technique prevents your foot from moving around in the shoe. It keeps your heel in place while avoiding collisions in the toe box and provides additional support below your ankle. Lace the front of the shoe through the bottom eyelets. Then, start making a surgeon's knot at the top of your foot. Cross the laces over your hand as if you're tying a knot, then rather than form loops, cross again to make another twist. Pull the laces to tighten them, thread through opposite eyelets and repeat until the fit feels right.
Window lacing: If you feel pain in the tops of your feet when you wear your leather hiking boots, this is the lacing technique for you! Cross-lace your shoes through the bottom pair of eyelets, then skip the area where you want the window. Tie a surgeon's knot and continue straight up to the next pair of eyelets (don't crisscross them). Add another surgeon's knot and you're good to go.
Heel lock: Is your heel slipping in your low hiking shoe? While this can cause painful blisters, it can also be a safety hazard when hiking. The heel lock system of this lacing technique keeps your heel in place, so there's no risk of slipping. Start by lacing your boots fairly tightly, then stop at the second eyelet from the top of the shoe. Pull the lace straight up through the eyelet above. Then, feed each lace through the vertical bar you've just made on the opposite side. Now, you can look forward to blister-free hikes!

For the ultimate hiking experience, browse our range of hiking gear, from a waterproof hiking jacket to mountain shoes and snow boots. You'll find all you need for every type of trail.