Every hiker has his moment of nirvana on the hike. Some hikers find the step-by-step climb to be the height of the experience, while others feel the rush once the summit is reached. The enjoyment of the experience is compromised, though, when the hiking shoe rubs a blister that causes pain with every step. In addition to wearing proper socks, carefully lace your shoes to avoid blisters on your hike.
Step 1
Unlace shoes or boots if a salesperson laced them at the store before they were purchased.
Step 2
Place the shoes so that the toes face you.
Step 3
Push the right lace tip up through the underside of the right eyelet closest to the toe and push the left lace tip up through the underside of the left eyelet closest to the toe of the shoe.
Step 4
Pull the tips toward you until the lace is taught between the two bottom eyelets and the lace tips are even with each other.
Step 5
Insert the right lace down through the right eyelet straight above the lower right eyelet until the right lace is pulled through the underside of the shoe. Do not cross the lace over to the next available left eyelet as you would with tennis shoes.
Step 6
Insert the right lace up through the corresponding left eyelet that is directly across the tongue from the right eyelet. You will have two laces on the left side.
Step 7
Insert the lower left lace down through the next available left eyelet, which is the second eyelet above the lowest eyelet.
Step 8
Insert the left lace you've been working with up through the corresponding right eyelet that is directly across the tongue from the right eyelet.
Step 9
Continue lacing the boot in this method where you thread the lace directly across the tongue and up through the corresponding eyelet and then down through every other eyelet on the same side.
Step 10
Pull each lace taught as you thread the laces, but don't pull them too tightly or you may contribute to the forming of blisters.
Step 11
Finish lacing each shoe in this method. The ends of the laces will be on the same side of the shoe, and you can tie or knot the shoe or boot as usual.
Tips and Warnings
- Tuck the lace ends inside of your shoe so that they don't catch or snag on underbrush or small branches. Try on your shoes with the appropriate socks you plan to wear so you can ensure the proper fit.
- Clip your toenails short so that they don't rub up against the toe of your shoe, causing more pain.
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