I used to run so that my shoes were raced really loose. However, I developed PF. Not saying it was caused by this. But, it got me thinking if one believes in motion control and built up shoes, how tight should the shoes be tied to get the effect. Does it matter?
To get the proper effecy they need to stay on…Seriously?
I wear orthotics and I use elastic laces. They seem relatively loose. I’ve never really noticed.
Brad
I have been running with regular laces all year. I only retie the shoes every other week or so. They feel snug enough when on but I just slip them on without untying, never gave it much thought.
I use bungee laces so my shoes are a good medium tight at all times.
Of course, this is all based on a matter of perspective. What’s tight to you may not be tight to me.
I used to always crank on mine. I liked to have them tight around my ankle, since I have narrow feet. I started doing the butterfly lacing scheme, and no longer tightened them as much as I used to. I also kept the lacing looser in the toebox. Now, I just go by comfort. If they feel too loose to me, I tighten them some more. If they feel too tight, I tighten them.
I use Speed Laces and when I first set them up I make them quite snug. Then I keep loosening them a bit at a time while running until I think I have gone too loose and cinch them back up just a bit. Then I am done for the season tying my shoes.
Mine are really loose. I just slip them on and off without tying or untying them.
Disclaimer: I suck at running so don’t take advice from me.
I would say it depends on what shoes and what type of terrain I am running on. My trail shoes I lace up pretty tightly as I want to feel in contact with the ground and that there is no chance of them moving on my feet due to the various forces they experience. If I am going out for a long run I have my shoes laced a lot looser as I do not like having a lot of pressure over the top of my foot which does not seem to matter if I am on good surfaces as there is a regular foot plant. If I am going out on short tempo runs then I go a bit tighter than my normal easy efforts. Whilst trail running is adefinate practical decision, I think my other choices may be purely psychological and part of the mental preperation before my session and kind of reflect how hard I am intending to train.
Mine are really loose. I just slip them on and off without tying or untying them
+1 not elastic laces but just pull on/off anyway never done me any harm unless you plan on doing cross country then I’d suggest you nail the suckers on!
This might be a more interesting question than it appears. I own a run specialty shop in central New York and the lace tension/comfort ratio seems to influenced by how rigid the runner’s foot may be. For instance, take me with a flexible low arch and if I’m not securely cranked down, I feel like there is too much movement within the shoe. Take one of my co-workers with a rigid strong arch and he can’t seem to tolerate much lace pressure and especially compared to me, lots less. So, if maximum support out of your fit is where it’s at, I think you need to crank 'em, granted use good judgement and maybe a sock with a padded instep or conversely, a high arch, neutral gait runner probably feels more comfortable with less ‘crankage.’
I too use bungee laces on my tri shoes to what I would call a fairly slack tension. This reminds me I’ve gotta switch out the regular laces on my winter running shoes to bungees …I HATE having to stop for laces that come undone.
I think you have hit the nail on the head, its all down to your body and the running you are doing. I have wide feet so laterally they tend to stay in place on their own and as they fit pretty much spot on length wise there’s no slippage there either, just need enough tension on top to stop them flying off.
I bought some Yankz laces for bout 10 bucks. They are great. If you get the laces too loose or too tight its very easy and quick to adjust.