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Lock Lacing
Often referred to as "Lace Locks", "Heel Locks" or "Runner's Tie"
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Not a lacing method as much as a technique for creating a super-tight finish. It's often recommended for lacing
running shoes to help prevent heel slippage, particularly when running downhill. It's also used by rock climbers
to prevent any movement or twisting of the shoe under the stresses of climbing as well as by speed skaters to give
maximum ankle support.
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Method 1: High lock
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Lacing Technique - Method 1 - High lock:
1. The shoe is laced until the lace ends emerge through the second set of eyelets from the top.
2. The ends run straight up and are fed into the top eyelets.
3. The ends are crossed over, then each end is fed under the vertical section on the other side.
Comparative Length = 106%
Laced area uses more (about +6%)
Longer laces needed (about +3%)
Shortens lace ends (about −5%)
More details |
Method 2: Low lock
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Lacing Technique - Method 2 - Low lock:
1. The shoe is laced until the lace ends emerge through the third set of eyelets from the top.
2. The ends are crossed over to emerge through the top eyelets.
3. The ends run straight down and are fed into the second set of eyelets from the top.
4. The ends are crossed over, then each end is fed under the vertical section on the other side.
This method results in the knot sitting slightly lower than method 1 (above).
Comparative Length = 110%
Laced area uses more (about +10%)
Longer laces needed (about +5%)
Shortens lace ends (about −9%)
More details |
Method 3: Looped lock
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Lacing Technique - Method 3 - Looped lock:
1. The shoe is laced until the lace ends emerge through the top set of eyelets.
2. Each end is looped back on itself and fed back into the same eyelet from which it emerged.
3. The ends are crossed over, then each end is fed through the loop on the other side.
This method doesn't provide the same tightening as either of the above methods, though it does lock the lace more
tightly, which helps with slippery laces.
Comparative Length = 116%
Laced area uses more (about +16%)
Longer laces needed (about +8%)
Shortens lace ends (about −15%)
More details |
Lock Lacing Method 1 on my new Puma sneakers (thanks, Puma!).
Close-up showing detail of Lock Lacing Method 1.
This picture of Lock Lacing Method 3 was sent to me by Wil D. |
Features:
Tightens firmly
Reduces slippage
Harder to loosen
NOTE:
Although
Criss Cross Lacing is shown in these examples, and is the probably the most common method used, the shoe can be
laced with almost any lacing method. In fact, as pointed out by Kyle B. in U.S.A.,
Ladder Lacing naturally ends with a High Lace Lock.
Lock Lacing Theory:
Many shoe stores recommend Lock Lacing techniques to help prevent slippage, and many people swear by them. In fact,
many sports shoes have twin eyelets at the top to suit Lock Lacing. So what's behind the "magic"?
The answer is simple leverage, which helps pull the lacing very tight. When the ends are tied, the upper straight
sections get pulled sideways, acting like "pulleys" to provide just that little bit of extra tension, more than is
possible by pulling in a straight line.
There are many factors that come into the choice of a running shoe (as you'll discover on countless other running
and footwear web sites). Heel slippage is only one factor, and Lock Lacing can only correct a certain amount of
slippage. If you've found a running shoe that meets most of the needs of your feet and your running style with the
exception of a bit of heel slippage, then Lock Lacing could be the ideal solution.
However, if you suffer from a fair bit of heel slippage, it's more likely that those shoes don't fit properly, and
a far better solution would be to get a pair that does. When shopping for shoes, don't be too impressed by a savvy
shoe salesperson using Lock Lacing to get a slightly better fit from an unsuitable pair of shoes!
Lock Lacing also creates more friction, which should help prevent the knot coming loose, especially if you have
slippery synthetic laces or are unknowingly using a
Granny Knot. Replacing slippery laces or changing your
Shoelace Knot are better alternatives. |
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Recent Photos (sent by site visitors)
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Hover over any photo for details, or click to enlarge in the
Shoe Lacing Photos page.
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Please only vote once - multiple votes are removed daily
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Related Links
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Criss Cross Lacing
Standard lacing method used on bottom section of this method.
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Straight (Bar) Lacing
Lock Lacing can be used to overcome the odd-eyelet-pair limitation of Straight (Bar) Lacing.
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This page last updated: 19-Jan-2012. Copyright © 2005-2012 by
Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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