Runner's Hitch: Use the extra eyelet at the top of your laces

MtnScramble

I have always been athletic, never a runner. This last weekend I learned a new process that was brilliant to me. I apologize if this is old hat to everyone else.

Making small eyelets using the last two lacing eyelets, as described in the video link below, will allow you to leave the laces on the top of your foot looser and not cut off circulation while giving a much tighter grip around the ankle. I am on day three of using this and I love the difference. This is not just for runners, we walkers can benefit from this also

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1mSYgGN45c

I did search for Runner's Hitch before posting. I hope this is not a common thread.

lilawolf

It makes it way harder to lazily slip your shoes on and off, but does wonders otherwise. Great for your running shoes and your hiking boots. Increases stability. Good post.

daweasel

I've always known it as "lock lacing". I used to use it when I ran in Asics Kayanos but since I switched a couple of years ago to Mizuno Wave Inspires I find it uncomfortable because of where the collar of the shoe sits around my ankle. Definitely great in some shoes though!

nut4crew

I had never heard of this, and will definitely try. Thanks!

jjpptt2

More than you ever wanted to know about lacing your shoes...

https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/lacingmethods.htm

L412

Thanks for posting this OP, I tried the runners hitch this morning - game changing!

MtnScramble

So glad that this has been seen and it has helped one or two. This is one of those topics that more shoe sales people need to know.

alteredsteve175

Saw this method on the face awhile back. Tried it and it works great on athletic shoes. Wishing my hiking boots had the extra eyelet. Thanks for sharing this method.

bendyourkneekatie

daweasel wrote: »

I've always known it as "lock lacing". I used to use it when I ran in Asics Kayanos but since I switched a couple of years ago to Mizuno Wave Inspires I find it uncomfortable because of where the collar of the shoe sits around my ankle. Definitely great in some shoes though!

Yeah I wear mizunos too and have found it more uncomfortable than helpful, so it probably depends on the shoe (and the wearer)

Orphia

Careful not to tie it too tight for the distance you're going. Feet swell.

I used to do this.

On my marathon 4 months ago, my laces felt fine having done this, but 30 km into the 42.2, it was agony.

It was cold, and my hands were too numb to stop and re-tie my laces, so I kept running.

I've still got a small lump there.

Oberon21

I had never seen this before. I'm going to have to try it. Thanks!

SweetPeasMom55

Can't wait to try this as I have a narrow heel and it always feels like it's slipping. Thanks!!!

purpleannex

Yeah sorry, this is ancient news, it's how you know if someone is a runner or not.

sgt1372

Only 1 pair of the 6 pairs of "athletic" shoes that I currrently wear has the extra eyelets.

I don't run but it's on a pair of trail "running" shoes that I bought to use as a light shoe for hiking.

I'll give the shoe lacing technique a try when I wear then again, which probably won't be until this coming summer.

Josh_lol

purpleannex wrote: »

Yeah sorry, this is ancient news, it's how you know if someone is a runner or not.

Really? I thought you could tell someone was a runner because they were running.

tuolon

Thank you so much for sharing this info. I didn't learn this during my years in cross country and neither did my children when they were in cross country. So @purpleannex my family runs (except I swim now) and this is not ancient news. If they don't teach you this in high school or college, I am sure no one is willing to teach you this during a marathon. my daughter even took a marathon training course in college and didn't learn this info. thanks again @MtnScramble

tuolon

Sorry @purpleannex if i was too hard on you. I just got irritated. I wish you the best at your running adventures.

Tacklewasher

Josh_lol wrote: »

purpleannex wrote: »

Yeah sorry, this is ancient news, it's how you know if someone is a runner or not.

Really? I thought you could tell someone was a runner because they were running.

And here I thought you needed a blackened toe to be a runner. And I worked so hard for mine.

MWGemini

I've run upwards of 150 marathons, a number of ultramarathons, and lots of long-distance triathlons. I've seen many methods of tying shoes, but never this one. Thanks for sharing! Personally, when I'm doing triathlons, I use elastic quick-zip laces, but I'll definitely try this method at some point.

ninpiggy

This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

Momepro

My podiatrist showed it to me, because it changes where the pressure goes, but I dont like it, because it's so much harder to tighten the lower part of the foot. However, I discovered I get the same pressure relief, but easier to control if I lace like normal all the way to the top, but instead of tying at top, I bring the laces backdown to the tounge loop and tie through there.

MeanderingMammal

Momepro wrote: »

My podiatrist showed it to me, because it changes where the pressure goes, but I dont like it, because it's so much harder to tighten the lower part of the foot.

And that's the issue here. There are several different ways to lace up, different approaches being appropriate to different gaits, distances, running surfaces. There is no best way.

Styggian

Thanks for sharing

MtnScramble

alteredstates175 wrote: »

Saw this method on the face awhile back. Tried it and it works great on athletic shoes. Wishing my hiking boots had the extra eyelet. Thanks for sharing this method.

I have created a double eyelet on on of my pair of shoes that did not have them.

DX2JX2

I started doing this but then realized that I didn't have any problems when tying my shoes without it. So much easier just tying my shoes normally (especially since I run early morning and am usually tying my shoes in the dark).