Tying the laces on your hiking sandals is an essential part of the footwear process. For many, without the laces, a pair of hiking sandals just isn’t complete. Choosing the right lacing technique can ensure your feet stay comfortable and secure, while also preventing irritation and blistering. With so many different lacing techniques available, it can be difficult to choose the one that is best-suited for your needs. In this article, we look at the different types of lacing techniques for hiking sandals, their benefits, tips for tightening and securing your laces, how to prevent blistering, what popular brands have recommended lacing techniques, and troubleshooting common problems.
Different Types of Lacing Techniques
Whether you are hiking over rocky terrain, through sandy dunes, or even walking on pavement, the right lacing technique will keep your feet snug and secure. There are a few different types of lacing techniques available, depending on the type of terrain you are navigating. The most popular are crisscross, loops, and alternating loops. Each of these has their own benefits and should be adjusted depending on your hiking terrain.
- Crisscross: The crisscross lacing technique is one of the most popular, as it’s simple to do and provides a tight grip. To use this method, start by threading the lace through the eyelets on each side of your sandal. Bring the ends through and cross them over each other so that each end of the lace is in its respective eyelet on the opposite side. Alternate the crisscross pattern around the equator of your sandal until you reach your ankle.
- Loops: The loop lacing technique is another popular choice for hikers. This method starts with threading both ends of the lace through a single eyelet on each side of the sandal. Then, make a loop by crossing the laces over each other and threading them through the two eyelets on either side as you move up. Keep looping up until you reach your ankle.
- Alternating Loops: Alternating loops is similar to the loop technique but adds a bit more security by alternating between two sets of loops. Start by making one loop with one end of the lace before making a loop with the other end on the opposite side. Then alternate between the two loops as you make your way up to your ankle.
Benefits of Lacing Hiking Sandals
Lacing your hiking sandals correctly is essential for safety and comfort purposes. The primary benefit of lacing is that it helps keeps your sandals secure on your feet while providing a snug and comfortable fit. This is especially important over uneven terrain, as it helps ensure you don’t slip out of your sandals mid-hike. It also helps prevent debris, such as small stones, from getting into your sandals and causing irritation or discomfort.
How to Choose the Right Style for Your Foot
Choosing the right style of lacing for your feet is a critical step in achieving ultimate comfort. While all three methods discussed above (crisscross, loops, and alternating loops) can be effective depending on the terrain you encounter on your hike, it’s important to take into consideration your foot shape and size when selecting which technique is best for you. For example, if you have wider feet then you’ll need to opt for a method that allows you to make larger loops when threading your bootlace.
Tips for Tightening and Securing Your Laces
Once you’ve selected the best style of lacing for your feet and terrain, there are a few additional tips to consider when tightening and securing your boots. To ensure optimal security and tightness, it’s recommended that you pull the laces tight at each eyelet before looping. Additionally, one of the easiest ways to secure your laces is to double knot them – simply twist them around twice and pull firmly to ensure they’re tight.
How to Prevent Blistering and Irritation when Wearing Hiking Sandals
Choosing the right lacing style is only one aspect of preventing blistering and irritation when wearing hiking sandals. As described above, it’s important to tighten and secure the laces thoroughly. Additionally, it’s also recommended that you wear quality socks with padding in targeted areas that may experience additional friction. Lastly, invest in a quality pair of boots with cushioned insoles that provide good arch support and shock absorption when walking or hiking.
Alternatives to Traditional Hiking Sandal Lacing
While lacing is a popular technique for securing your hiking sandals, there are alternatives for those looking for even more security or ease-of-use. One option is using Velcro straps to fasten your boots instead of lacing. Not only does this method provide extra security and tightness when walking, but it also allows you to quickly loosen and tighten your sandals without needing to tie or untie knots. Furthermore, many modern hiking sandals now come with zipup fastenings that allow for even quick adjustments.
Popular Brands of Hiking Sandals and Their Recommended Lacing Techniques
There are a variety of brands available to choose from when selecting a pair of hiking sandals. The top brands provide detailed instructions regarding their recommended lacing techniques on their respective websites in order to get the best results from their product. For example, Chaco suggests crisscross lacing while EagerBeaver Outfitters recommends alternating loops, while Keen recommends a combination of both in order to get maximum security.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Lacing Hiking Sandals
Tying hiking sandals correctly can be tricky, so here are a few troubleshooting tips if you encounter any common issues with lacing:
- Slippery Laces: If your cords or strings are too slippery for your knot to stay secured tightly in place, try roughening up the surface by lightly rubbing it with sandpaper or an emery board before retying.
- Short Laces: If you find that there isn’t enough cord to tie properly around your ankles or calves, try adjusting the loops along the equator of your sandals to reduce the number of times you overlap.
- Bunched Up Laces: If your laces start bunching up behind the eyelets or near your ankles, try loosening them slightly in order to prevent any restriction or uncomfortable tightness.
Conclusion
Lacing up your hiking sandals properly is essential in ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. There are many different techniques available depending on the terrain you’re navigating and the shape of your feet. It is also important to take into consideration other factors such as tightness, security, cushioning, and blister prevention. While lacing is one of the most popular methods for securing your boots, there are alternatives such as Velcro straps or zipups available from some popular brands of hiking sandals.
