A Tip from Illumiseen: How to Prevent Running Shoe Blisters With a “Heel Lock” or “Lace Lock”

Introduction

Blisters on your heels can be a painful and frustrating issue for runners, hikers, and walkers. This tutorial will guide you through a simple technique called the "heel lock" or "lace lock," which helps prevent blisters and keeps your foot securely in place within your shoe. By following these steps, you can enjoy a more comfortable experience during your activities.

Step 1: Identify the Extra Shoelace Holes

1. Locate the extra holes: Many running and hiking shoes come with an additional shoelace hole at the top. If your shoes do not have this extra hole, you can use the top regular hole instead.
2. Understand the purpose: These holes will be used to create loops that will help lock the laces in place, preventing your foot from sliding around.

Step 2: Create Loops with Your Laces

1. Insert the laces backward: Starting from the outside of your shoe, take the lace and insert it into the extra hole from the inside out. This will create a small loop.
2. Repeat on the other side: Do the same on the opposite side of your shoe, creating loops on both the inside and outside.

Step 3: Cross the Laces

1. Cross the laces: Take the lace from the inside loop and cross it over to the outside loop of the opposite side.
2. Insert into the loop: Pass the lace through the loop you just created on the other side.

Step 4: Cinch the Laces

1. Pull down to tighten: Make sure to pull the end of your laces down towards the shoe to create a secure lock. This ensures that the loop hugs the shoe tightly.
2. Avoid leaving loops: Be careful not to pull the laces up, as this will leave the loop hanging, which does not create the desired lock.

Step 5: Complete the Knot

1. Finish lacing: Once you have cinched the laces, knot them in a balanced manner as you would normally do.
2. Check for tightness: Ensure that your shoe feels snug, with no space left in the loops.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively use the heel lock or lace lock technique to prevent blisters and maintain a secure fit in your shoes. This method not only enhances comfort but also helps avoid issues like black toenails caused by your foot sliding forward. Feel free to practice this technique before your next run or hike to ensure a blister-free experience!