When it comes to running shoes, much of the focus is on which shoes you choose. While this certainly is important, it’s not the only aspect you should pay attention to when trying to put your feet in the best position to thrive while you’re running. You’ll also want to be mindful of how you are lacing up your shoes prior to your run. In today’s blog, we share some tips for getting the ideal lacing technique for you running shoes.
How To Lace Your Running Shoes
Before we being, it’s important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all lacing technique that should be applied unilaterally to all runners and their shoes. People have different foot shapes, sizes and running patterns, so it would be unwise to always recommend a specific type of lacing technique.
With that said, there are certainly some general ways to go about lacing your shoes that can put them in a favorable position to thrive during and after a run. It’s advised that you connect with a shoe specialist or a foot doctor for individualized advice, especially if you have unique foot challenges or have been dealing with foot discomfort during a run. Certain specific lacing techniques can help some people, but the majority of people will benefit from these basic pieces of advice:
Uniform – It’s helpful to have a uniform crisscross pattern to your shoe laces, meaning that they cross the top of your foot with spacing that’s relative to other laces. This helps to ensure a more uniform stress pattern across the top of the foot. If you lace them such that there’s a large gap in the way the laces are spaced, certain areas of your foot may feel more stress when you lace up your shoes. Try to keep the spacing pretty even as the laces work their way up the midfoot.
Tight, But Not Too Tight – We understand that you want your feet to feel snug in your shoe, but you do that by buying a properly-fitting shoe, not by pulling on your shoestrings so tight that they end up cutting off circulation to the top of your feet. Overly loose shoelaces can also be problematic, causing your foot to shift inside the shoe as you run. Your want your shoes to feel secure but not overly tight after you’ve laced them.
Tie Them Every Time – Some people like to be able to slip their feet into their running shoes without having to tie them every time. While a shoehorn can assist with this process, it’s probably helpful to get in the habit of tying and untying your shoes after every run. It’s possible that your feet may be a little swollen if they were stressed the day prior, or your laces can end up stretching out a bit, which could require you to loosen or tighten your laces accordingly. Tying them every time you put them on can ensure they are properly secured to your feet.
We’ve seen people argue on running forums that specific lacing techniques are better than others, and while that can be true for some, it’s not true for everyone, so keep these tips in mind and connect with a professional if you want some individualized advice on how to lace your running shoes. And if you need assistance overcoming a foot injury that’s preventing you from running or that developed during a run, connect with Dr. Silverman. Reach out to him here.