1. Start by placing your heel at the back of the shoe
Once your foot is in the shoe, lightly tap the ground to place your heel at the back of the shoe. It will enable you to keep a comfortable zone in front of the toes so that they don't press on the front of the shoe.
2. Adjust the tightness of the lower part, starting with the lace rings
It is very important to start lacing from the bottom and not by pulling on the end of the laces, as we often do. Ring by ring, tighten your hiking shoe, checking that you have a certain flexibility inside. Warning: do not tighten too much, you risk cutting off blood circulation in the foot. It is important to feel comfortable in your shoes. Find the fit that is best for you!
3. Separate the lacing of the top part and the bottom part
It will enable you to adjust the lacing to the shape of your foot and give your ankle more or less freedom of movement. To lock the first lacing on the lower part, tie a first simple knot on the instep or use the locks on the shoes if they have them.
4. Tighten the top part of the shoe
Cross your laces in the usual manner on the lowest hooks. TIP: for the top hooks pass the laces from top to bottom, not from bottom to top! This has 2 advantages: the knot will be lower and will not hinder you on steep slopes. Also, if the knot loosens slightly, your laces will not come out of the hooks as easily.
5. Finally, tie your laces with an efficient knot (that's better than the double knot)
Start your knot as if you were tying a classic knot but before pulling on the 2 loops, pass one of the loops through the knot. This knot will prevent your laces from untightening by themselves and is easy to undo at the end of your hike.
Before beginning a descent, we recommend that you re-lace your shoes by tightening them a bit to be sure to be well supported and prevent your foot from sliding to the front of the shoe.
Please note:
With high boots fitted with hooks, the hooks on one shoe can catch the loops on the other, depending on how you walk, the terrain, etc. To prevent a fall, check that your hooks are not damaged or bent; if they are too "open", this can increase the risk of injury. You can also cover the top of your boots with your trousers or a pair of gaiters, or tuck your laces inside the boot (but this last option isn't the most comfortable).
