Do you know that you can reduce your risk of developing black toenails, pressure points, hot spots, and other foot irritations with a simple shoelace adjustment? We know that, as a runner, you’re no stranger to these foot problems.
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But here’s the thing: changing the way your running shoes are laced can give you much-needed comfort and relief. Find everything you need to know about running shoelace hacks below.
Here’s How To Ensure Your Shoe Fits Properly
If you need lacing hacks, it is possible that your shoes don’t fit properly. You can solve this problem by making sure the widest part of your foot and the shoe align. Place your middle and index fingers together along the tongue of the shoe once it is properly fastened.
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The eyelets should touch your fingers on both sides. A shoe is considered too big if only one finger fits and too tight if three or more fits.
Are You Wearing The Right Shoe Size?
Wearing shoes that are too small or too big can cause blisters and other problems, like slipping on the heel. A shoe fit expert at a specialty running store could help you find the perfect fit for the size and shape of your feet.
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Sizing up helps a lot of runners who have feet that expand during workouts. Also, experimenting with various brands and styles could help them fit your foot frame better.
Benefits Of Lacing Techniques
Lacing techniques are useful when dealing with temporary problems, like a black toenail from wearing high heels. Once the wound heals, adjust the lacing and go back to the original pattern.
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While lacing won’t solve every running problem, meeting with an orthodontist is a better option to treat conditions like shin splints and heel pain. Shoe lacing can still help in some specific cases. For example, different lacing on one shoe can help address asymmetrical foot sizes.
Lacing Hacks to Try for Various Foot Complaints
When lacing, make sure the pressure is distributed evenly throughout the shoe to prevent sore spots. It should not be overly tight at the ankle or the bottom. You should also understand key terms like eyelets, which are holes for laces.
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The top of the shoe is the area closest to your heel, and the bottom of the shoe is the area closest to your toes. Now let’s explore the lacing hacks together.
The Heel Lock Hack For Heel Blisters and Heel Slipping
The heel lock hack is the most popular shoelace trick, it keeps the heel from slipping and causing painful blisters that keep coming back.
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Even though it works incredibly well, you should avoid using it for extended periods or when running long distances, as it may put too much strain on the tendons in your upper foot.
How to use the Heel Lock Hack
Find the extra eyelets close to your heel, which are usually unlaced. Make a loop by passing the right shoelace end through the extra eyelet on the right side and stopping halfway.
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Repeat on the left side. Weave the right shoelace through the left loop and vice versa, crossing the ends of the shoelaces. Once the loops are secure, pull the ends tightly and knot your shoelaces as usual.
The High Instep Hack
A high instep raises the top of your foot, increasing the pressure on your shoes and causing irritation. To relieve this, unlace the upper three to four eyelets. To provide more volume to the mid-foot, thread the right shoelace through the eyelet directly above it from the outside to the inside.
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Repeat on the left side. Finally, lace the remaining portion of the shoe normally, to relieve areas of pressure and enhance comfort.
Tips for A Wide Forefoot Or Bunions
To ease any tightness for wide feet or bunions, simply unlace the shoe down, leaving only the lace in the bottom eyelet on both sides. Thread the right shoelace through the eyelet right above it, then do the same with the left shoelace.
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Thread each lace, going inward, through the subsequent eyelet above. Then, lace the rest of the shoe as usual. This gives the front wider and more space.
For An Overall Wide Foot
This lacing hack gives you more width if you can’t afford wide shoes. Simply unlace to the bottom, ensuring that the lace remains in the bottom eyelet on both sides. Begin lacing as you usually would instead of starting at the eyelets just above the bottom ones.
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Continue with the lacing, skipping every next pair of eyelets. This method leaves more space for wide feet and gives a clean finish.
For Toenail Pressure Or Black Toenails
This hack can help prevent black toenails or speed up the healing process if your shoes are a little too tight or short around the toe. It does this by providing some more room in the shoes, thereby relieving the pressure on the toes.
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Using this method, you’ll be able to make shoes that are just a bit too short feel considerably more comfortable.
How To Use This Hack
Remove the lace completely. Leave one end for tying and weave it through the lowest eyelet nearest your big toe, then the top opposite eyelet diagonally. Weave the other end through the last remaining bottom eyelet.
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Then thread the subsequent opposite eyelet diagonally. Continue weaving and crossing diagonally until you reach the top, to create a tight and stable lacing pattern. If necessary, adjust the lace length.
