Heel Lock Lacing
Overview
Heel lock lacing is a method of tightening footwear to secure the heel and reduce slippage during hiking. It improves foot stability on uneven terrain and helps prevent blisters.
Key points
- Uses extra eyelets to create a snug fit around the ankle.
- Reduces heel lift inside footwear during ascents and descents.
- Helps prevent friction-based hot spots and blisters.
- Commonly used in both trail runners and hiking boots.
- Adjustable based on foot shape and comfort.
Details
The heel lock method loops the laces through the top eyelets to create additional tension at the ankle collar. This tension minimizes internal movement of the heel, enhancing control when hiking steep slopes.
While effective, the technique must be adjusted to avoid over-tightening, which can cause pressure points. Hikers often experiment with different lacing patterns to match their foot shape, swelling patterns, and terrain requirements.
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Illustrative hiking footage
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