When you buy a pair of running shoes, the last thing you probably think of is how to tie your shoes. After all, any strategy does a decent job of keeping feet in place.

However, most runners don't realize that learning how to tie your shoes for running, specifically, can optimize their shoes for the sport. 

With just a few tweaks to their methods, runners can boost their comfort, prevent injuries and achieve a more secure fit.

Do you wonder how to tie your shoes for running? This article will share three practical shoe-tying techniques.

The Heel Lock

The heel lock is one of the most common tying methods for preventing heel slipping and blisters. The goal is to tighten the shoe's grip around the heel without putting too much pressure on the tendon.

It works like a charm, but it's not recommended for running long distances. Below is a step-by-step guide to achieving a heel lock:

1. Find the extra eyelets on your shoes closest to your heel. Weave the right shoelace through the extra hole on the right, moving inward. Stop halfway to leave a loop outside the shoe, and repeat the process on the left side.

2. Cross the shoelace ends, weaving the right end through the left loop and vice versa.

3. Pull your shoelaces tightly to secure the loops, and tie your shoelaces as you normally would.

Window Lacing

Window lacing is perfect for runners who experience uncomfortable pressure on top of their feet. If this sounds familiar, follow this guide to address the problem:

1. Unlace your shoe until you reach the eyelet just below the pressure point.

2. Weave your shoelaces through the next eyelets without crossing the laces over.

3. After skipping one eyelet level, continue weaving, while crossing your laces as usual and tie normally at the top.

The Wide-Foot Hack

The most obvious solution for a wide foot is to purchase a better-fitting shoe, but the wide-foot hack offers a plan B if it's impossible or impractical to do so. Ultimately, the goal is to give your foot more space. Here's how it works:

1. Unlace your shoe all the way, leaving the lace only through the bottom eyelet.

2. Skip every other eyelet level, creating Xs that are twice as big as usual.

3. Close your shoe up as you usually would.

Enhance Your Running Technique Now

Learning how to tie your shoes for running is one of the most practical and cost-efficient ways to enhance your technique.