Boot Heel Hot Spot? Try this Lacing Heel Lock

LACING BEGINS AT 4:00 IN....

[dustinnoll]

Shug, you are a ray of sunshine on my cloudy day.

[bomphrat]

Tried this new way of tying. I'm a 63 year old man, who gets the nice heal hotspots from new boots. Just bought new boots. Been using this new tying method, and so far I am impressed. Can definitely tell the difference.

[k.g.r.]

Shug, I just returned from a nice week in the Boundary Waters and took delivery of my new Amok hammock. I've been a hammock camper for a couple decades, and have thoroughly enjoyed your insight and inspiration over the years. But you can imagine the thrill I got just now when I opened the Amok promotional item that came with the hammock, a sturdy deck of plastic playing cards WITH YOUR FACE AS THE JOKERS!!! Wooo buddy! Perfect -- The jester as the joker! What an unexpected delightful treat! You have made it on the international hammock celebrity list, clearly. The well deserved honor. All secure in sector 7!

[dougmiller]

Shug-thank you for getting me into hammocking over 10 years ago! I am gonna turn 70 in two weeks and still putting the miles on out here in the PNW. I am still in trail runners, no hot spots or blisters, even with 15 mile days. Shoutout to Altra!

[FishOnIsMyHandle]

Thanks for that tip, here's one in return....apply castor oil to your feet, especially your toes. I buy the cheaper topical castor oil such as the Spring Valley brand (instead of the more expensive oral types.) I hike in wet areas and no matter what brand of boot I wear, my feet get wet. Had the same issue you described until I started using castor oil. I'm close to your age and -have- had cadaver feet as well. :)

[tiddums]

Tried Solomons loved them, but they hurt my arches and had to give them up. Thanks for the ladder stunt. Haven't seen it in a while. Thanks for the laughs. Best medicine ever.

[mat-ventures]

Merci Shug for all those tips! Very useful and well explained!

[katherinedraughn]

NC native here. My husband and I have been watching your videos for several years. Your Gorge videos have always been a highlight for us. Just dropping in here to say I hope all is well with those you know in WNC.

[leftycut]

Great Old School tutorial. Love it ! I’m 66 as well but my daughter gave me a pair of Merrell trail runners a couple of years ago and I haven’t looked back. My feet don’t feel like they have bricks tied to them at the end of the day

[shyamlynn]

As always Shug you teach and entertain. I'm grateful for you sir.

[Sebastopolmark]

Thanks Shug. Yes, little things can be big things and this one will be used on my
next hike! !! !!!

[weekendshermit]

You always make smile Shug, You have a super power. Thanks for the shoe lacing trick too

[gkirby]

Love the Lowa's, bought them for bowhunting many years ago and have been thru several pairs. Got a pair I wear daily in the winter. Never tried them on a long backpack trip. wasnt sure how they would dry over night. Love you videos Shug!

[iwazzabadboy]

Firm Shank for the WIN….and great lacing lesson👍🏼

[dannygun]

I used the Renegades on a day hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back out. My Merrills ripped out on me a week before the trip so I bought the Lowa Renegades and wore them around the house for a few days. I went to bottom of the canyon and back out and those things felt like they had been broke in for months. I was worried that they wouldn't hold up very well but they lasted me for about 1.5 years of moderate use before they started coming apart. I was pleased with them. I meed to get another pair! Thanks for the tips on tying!

[hamerhead]

My chiropractor told me in my 40's to go from a 10.5 to a 12 i thought it was a nutty idea, but it made a heck of a difference. thanks for the great tip shug.

[jdsmith]

Ya still got it, Shug. Good to see you are well.

[lapsedluddite]

Thanks Shug! I'm definitely going to try this - my 76 year old feet need all the help they can get!

[kevinparker]

Spot on with the lacing pattern I do something similar. Rather than the double knot try using the 'surgeons knot'. Do an extra turn on the first twist before the bow. This helps the lace stay in place whilst the bow is tied. Then do an extra crossover twist with the bow. (threading the bow through twice). This locks the bow so no second knot is necessary. It stays put but is easier to pull to undo when wet. I always wipe the bottom of the sock with my hand to clear any debris that might be stuck to the sock and when putting my foot in the sock I kick the floor with the heel of the boot to seat it back in the boot before lacing.

[AndyJarman]

I'm with Mr Sloog on the over sized boots, lacing technique and second socks are good too.