Nothing can ruin a hike like blistered and sore feet. To prevent discomfort, it’s important that your boots fit properly.
The good news is, most hiking boot laces are easy to tie and adjust so you can customize them for maximum comfort.
| How to Tie Hiking Boots |
|---|
| Choose the right laces for your boots. |
| Prepare your boots and foot for lacing. |
| Tie a basic knot at the base of the boot. |
| Lace your boots up to the top, tightening as you go. |
| Tie a finishing knot at the top of the boot. |
| Adjust your laces as needed for comfort and support. |
Loop
Find the loop on your boot and place one end of the lace through it.
Take the other end of that lace and bring it towards you so that it forms an X with the first part of your lace that went through the loop (the rest of this process will be easier if you have someone helping you).
Now take both ends of your laces again, creating another X shape but this time with each side crossing over their original path; essentially, tying a knot in front of itself (see below).
At this point, if everything looks good and feels secure, go ahead and tie up those boots! If not…
To adjust a looped knot: pull gently on both ends until you have achieved an ideal fit around your ankle bone area; then tie up those boots!
To keep your hiking boots in good condition, it’s important to clean them regularly. Refer to our guide on how to clean hiking boots for helpful tips and step-by-step instructions for keeping your boots in top shape.
Laced Bow Tie
To tie a shoe bow tie, use the laces to create the bow shape.
To get your boots on and off, you can use a shoe horn. This should help you find that perfect fit for your foot as well as keeping them tight so you won’t have to re-tie them every time you take a step.
To remove your boots, simply untie the bow tie and pull down on each side of it before pulling off each boot while lifting up slightly at the heel so they come off smoothly without any discomfort or pain in your feet or ankles.
If using an actual shoelace replacement option instead of laces (or in addition to), simply follow these steps:
- Tie one end around either side of the back of one boot opening by making two loops around itself; make sure there are no gaps between loops!
- Tie another knot around either side of backside opening again with no gaps between knots!
Surgeon’s Knot
Take the two ends of the line, and tie them together with a Surgeon’s Knot. The surgeon’s knot is easy to remember, but you may need to watch a video or two in order to get it right.
To tie the knot: Hold one end in each hand and bring the right end under and around itself until it meets your left hand (think of making an upside down U).
Now, hold onto this loop with your left hand while bringing its partner over it – such that you now have three loops on top of each other: one from your original piece of string, one from just after step 1 above where you wrapped around yourself twice for security reasons (this wasn’t strictly necessary), and lastly a third which we’ll be using for tying around again in order to finish off our knot!
Finally take these three loops together into one unit so that they’re all touching side by side (as opposed to having ends pointing outwards like before) then pull firmly downwards so as not only do they tighten up but also form an eyelet through which we can insert another line later on…
Breaking in a new pair of hiking boots can make all the difference in terms of comfort during a hike. Take a look at our guide on how to break in hiking boots for expert tips and advice on getting your boots ready for the trails.
Slip Knot
A slip knot is a temporary knot. It’s used to temporarily fasten a rope, such as when you want to tie off a bandage or attach the end of one rope to another.
To create a slip knot:
- Take the end of the rope and fold it over itself once
- Take the loose end and thread it through the loop so that both ends are on top of each other at this point
Orange Peeler
This is an easy knot to learn and use. It’s also very effective in securing your hiking boots together so they won’t come untied while you’re out on a hike.
- Start off by making a bight (a loop) in one rope, and then tie an overhand knot around it.
- Thread the other rope through this loop, then pull on both ends of each rope so that it tightens up nicely and securely around all loops of both ropes (like tying shoelaces).
Properly packing your backpack is key to having a successful and enjoyable hike. Check out our guide on how to pack a backpack for hiking for expert advice on what to bring and how to pack efficiently.
French Bow Tie
The French Bow Tie is a classic knot that’s very easy to tie, and it’s the best choice for tying your boots (or anything else) if you’re short on time. To tie this knot all you need to do is follow these three steps:
First pass the left end of your laces over the right end and under them as shown above, then pull that end through itself so it forms a loop with its tail hanging down on the right side of your shoe (see second photo).
Bring up the right end of both laces so they meet at their intersection point where they were originally crossed over each other (see third photo).
Finally pull firmly on both ends until they form a bow shape after which they should be held in place with one hand while using another hand to hold onto either side of it so that it doesn’t slide out from under itself during use or untying later on when taking off your boots (see fourth photo). Voila!
You’ve just tied your hiking shoes via French Bow Tie method!
Alpine Butterfly Loop
The Alpine Butterfly Loop is a knot that is used to tie the Alpine Butterfly Loop. It is a variation of the Alpine Butterfly Loop, and it is used to tie the Alpine Butterfly Loop.
It is easy to tie and untie, which makes it popular among backpackers who are looking for an efficient way to secure their gear while they’re out in rugged terrain.
Hiking poles can be a game-changer for anyone going on a long hike, and proper use is crucial for a beneficial experience. Take a look at our guide on how to use hiking poles for helpful tips and step-by-step instructions on how to use these useful tools.
Triple Fisherman’s Knot
The triple fisherman’s knot is a secure knot that can be used to tie two ropes together. This knot is a favorite among many outdoor enthusiasts because it’s easy to untie and can be used to repair damaged rope. It’s also known as the triple fisherman’s bend or the three loop bend.
Water Knot
While a clove hitch is great for securing things to the outside of your pack, a water knot is better suited to tying your boots together.
Here’s how you do it:
Using a long piece of rope or webbing, tie a water knot around the middle of the rope. You can learn more about how to tie this knot by searching online or watching instructional videos on YouTube.
Pull on both loose ends until they are taut. The goal here is to make sure that there’s no slack in the laces when you step out onto uneven terrain or rocky trails; otherwise, one foot will be higher than the other and your ankles will take all of the impact when you step down hard with each step!
For beginners in the world of hiking, getting started can be intimidating. Refer to our guide on getting started hiking for helpful tips and advice on how to prepare for a hike, including what to wear, what to bring, and what to expect on the trail.
Camouflage Bow Tie
If you’re a beginner, a bow tie is probably out of reach. A square knot will get the job done if you can’t quite master that yet.
To start, make sure your boot is on and laced up tightly so that it doesn’t slip around or loosen over time.
Then tie one end of the cord (or shoelace) around the top hole in your lace-up boots using either a square or reef knot the choice is yours!
Once secured, thread this through one hole at a time until reaching the bottom hole. Finally, tie off with another reef/square knot and adjust as needed for comfort before heading out for your hike!
Bow Tie vs. Square Knot
| Bow Tie | Square Knot | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | High | Easy |
| Formality | High | Low |
| Style | Fancy | Simple |
| Popularity | Low | High |
| Occasion | Formal | Casual |
| Alternative | N/A | Half Windsor |
Spider Web Knot
Now that you know how to tie your bootlaces, it’s time to move on to the next knot. The spider web knot is very similar in appearance and function to the figure eight follow through.
However, instead of passing the second loop through the first one again as you do with a figure eight follow through, you’ll pass it under and around both loops before pulling tight.
The spider web knot is most commonly used in hiking boots because it creates more tension than other knots can provide without being too tight for your feet.
It also only requires about an inch of lace length for each turn so if you’re short on laces or need room for double knots at either end of your laces (for extra security), this is great as well!
Double Slip Knot
The double slip knot is used to create a loop that can be tightened and untied easily. This is one of my favorite knots because it’s so simple and versatile.
It can be tied with a single piece of cord, which makes it great for tying shoes. It’s also known as the double fisherman’s knot or the overhand knot, but I think that “double slip knot” sounds cooler.
The double slip knot works best when the standing length of your cord is at least three times as long as your finished loop length, but no more than five times longer than your finished loop length.
Double Slip Knot
| Purpose | Create a loop that can be tightened and untied easily |
|---|---|
| Ease of tying | Easy |
| Versatility | High (can be used in a variety of situations) |
| Strength | Moderate (may slip under heavy load) |
| Security | Moderate (may untie if not tightened properly) |
| Common uses | Camping, climbing, boating, fishing |
| Alternative knots | Bowline, Figure-Eight Knot, Clove Hitch |
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches is a great knot for tying your boots. This is because it’s easy to tie, strong, secure, and works well around the ankle or boot. Here are the steps:
Start by wrapping one end of the lacing around your foot (or around a post or tree) as shown in photo 1 below. Then pass it through itself underneath so that you get two strands coming up on each side of your foot/post/tree (photo 2).
Now take one strand on each side over its partner (so now there are 4 strands coming up on either side of your foot/post/tree), then bring both ends back down under themselves again to form a loop (photo 3). You should now have 8 strands going up towards your ankle area! 3
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of different ways to tie your hiking boots. The best thing you can do is practice and try out different knots until you find one that works well for you.
There are many different types of knots, but they all have the same goal: keeping your footwear secure so it doesn’t slip off during strenuous activities like hiking or climbing mountains.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for learning how to tie hiking boots:
How to Tie Hiking Boots: Step-by-Step Guide – This step-by-step guide provides detailed instructions on how to tie various types of knots for different foot shapes and hiking needs.
How to tie your hiking boots – This resource provides a helpful visual guide for tying your hiking boots using different techniques based on your needs.
How to Tie Hiking Boots – In this Backpacker guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to tie your hiking boots with clear descriptions and pictures.
FAQs
How tight should hiking boots be?
Hiking boots should fit snugly around your foot, with enough room for your toes to wiggle but not so much that your foot slips inside the boot. If your boot feels too tight or too loose, experiment with different lacing patterns or consider getting a different size or style of boot.
Can you wear sneakers for hiking?
While you can technically wear sneakers for hiking, it’s not recommended for safety and comfort reasons. Hiking boots provide better support, traction, and protection for your feet on rugged terrain. It’s important to choose the right footwear for your outdoor activities.
How do you break in hiking boots?
Breaking in hiking boots is critical to ensure a comfortable hiking experience. Wear them around the house or on short walks before hitting the trails, and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your hikes. See our guide on how to break in hiking boots for more tips.
How often should you replace hiking boots?
The lifespan of hiking boots depends on how often they’re used and the conditions in which they’re used. Generally, hiking boots should be replaced every 500 miles or so, or once they begin to show signs of wear such as sole separation or significant creasing.
Can hiking boots be repaired?
Many hiking boots can be repaired, depending on the type and extent of damage. Common repairs include replacing worn-out soles, re-stitching seams, and patching holes. Check with a professional cobbler or shoe repair shop for more information on repair options.
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