Shoe lacing to avoid lost tonails

[keweenawlove]

Has anyone seen this method of lacing your running shoes? My mom just sent me this video. She said she's been doing this and hasn't had any lost toenails since. I'm going to try it out this week.

Directions from Runner's World
Lace as normal until one eyelet remains on each side. Draw the lace straight up
on the outside of the shoe and bring it through the last eyelet. This will
create a loop. Repeat on the other side. Cross each lace over the tongue, thread
it through the opposite loop, and tie. The loops help to cinch in the material
around your ankle to prevent your heel from slipping without making the rest of
your shoe any tighter.

[Brit]

My brother laces his shoes this way because he has really narrow feet and it helps hold his foot in place. Makes sense that it would help reduce lost toenails because it does not allow your foot to shift within the shoe as much.

[Susie]

I've been tying my running shoes like that forever. I have narrow heels, and it helps avoid heel slipping, especially when I size up a little. I've never lost any toenails, but that could just be a coincidence.

[clseale]

I've been doing this for years. It has done nothing for my toenails, but I do like how snug it makes the shoe feel. FWIW, I don't think my nails are due to sliding in the shoe, I think they have to do with me somehow gripping down and popping blood vessels underneath the nail. If your feet slide, it might work for you.

[pixy0stix]

I do this. I also skip a couple of holes in the middle to accommodate my high arch.

[ebeth]

the coach of my half marathon training program suggested this for blister prevention, not to prevent toenail loss.

I've never tried it. I've never lost a toenail either.

[Wines Not Whines]

I do this too, because I have narrow feet. I'm not sure it's helped with toenails though. The only thing that helped with that was sizing up in my shoes.

[keweenawlove]

Guess it wasn't as new of an idea as I thought! We'll see if it helps. I've never had toenail issues until about 2 years ago. I never had them through 9 seasons of high school and college cross country and I've been in the same size shoes since my 2nd year of college. Maybe it's the pavement that's harder on my feet.

[clseale]

I only knew about it because the first time I went to my LRS, the guy who fit me showed me how to do it. My black nail popped up out of no where. I notice it comes and goes with consistent long distances (13+), and more often, speed work.

[ckinla]

I'm going to try this - I always get heel slippage and blisters (never a toenail issue though).

[kams]

Yep - I do this too! I have lost toenails still

I wish I could more easily do this with my speed laces.

[naldridge]

I love locklaces - mostly because they can't come untied and they are stretchy so they move around as needed. And also because Asaics makes the WORLDS LONGEST LACES and I was face-planting way too often

[AAM2012]

I am going to try this tomorrow...I have constant issues with blisters and toe nails so hopefully it will help.

[archaeominx]

I've always laced mine this way, Saucony has the two eyelets on the sides for it. My toes still get a beating at times but the tops of my feet near my ankle definitely hurt less

[taratru]

I've been doing that for the summer, because with the super feet inserts y heels slip. I've never had a problem with toenails though.

[Dory1988]

I lace like this because I was having trouble with my heels slipping.

[secretlyevil]

This is how I lace both my running shoes and cross-trainers. It does not prevent nail loss. That being said, it does help with heel positioning.

[Raggedeannie]

Thanks for posting! Since I got my new Brooks the left shoe slips a little when I'm running. Just laced up per the video and will give it a try!