Have you ever wondered why there is an extra shoelace hole at the top of your shoe? Almost all running shoes have an extra hole, usually found behind and underneath the last hole that almost no one uses. Well, the extra shoelace hole has a legit purpose. It is there to stop your feet from slipping forward in your shoes while you run and prevent blisters.
People get blisters on their feet while walking on tough terrain. The main reasons attributed to this irritating skin problem are sensitive skin and the constant rubbing of feet with the fabric of the shoe. These blisters can be prevented easily by tying the extra holes in the form of a “lace lock” or a “heel lock”, this will keep the foot properly seated in the back of the shoe, leaving room for the toes upfront.
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS:
1. Lace up your shoes as normal. Then, use the extra holes to create loops on each side of your shoe.
2. The loops are then used to Execute. The. Lock.
Aka crossing your laces and inserting them into the loop on the other side (doesn’t sound quite as impressive though).
3. Finally, you pull down on both laces to Create. The. Lock.
Then, tie your laces, as usual, to complete the ‘lace lock’ or ‘heel lock’.
This strong binding creates additional friction between the laces. The shoe is held nice and tight without needing to tighten all of the shoelaces, and hence it prevents the toes and heels from smashing into the ends of the shoe.