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Lace Your Shoes to Fit Right

By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com

Updated December 04, 2008

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Lacing for a Narrow Heel and Wide Forefoot

Lacing for a Wide Foot and Narrow Heel

Lacing for a Wide Foot and Narrow Heel

Wendy Bumgardner © 2000
This foot type is always frustrated - if the heel fits, the forefoot is too narrow, if the forefoot fits, the heel slips around.

The answer is in two sets of laces. You should buy two shorter laces and lace the bottom 3 eyelets with one lace and the top eyelets with another lace.

For a good heel fit with no slippage, use the lace lock technique.

  • Lace up from the bottom of the next to last eyelet.
  • Then lace over and down through the top eyelet on the same side to form a "bunny ear."
  • Do the same for the other side.
  • Now lace through the opposite "bunny ear" you formed between those two eyelets.
  • Now when you tie your shoe, you can get a good tight fit at the ankle but keep it loose over the rest of the top of the foot.
Changing your lacing pattern will affect the fit of the shoe, so use caution after making a change and test it over shorter distances.

Sources:
1. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Lacing Techniques for Proper Shoe Fit.
2. New Balance Shoes: Lacing for Better Fit.

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