Sole Search: The Best Walking, Running, and Hiking Shoes

Ace Your Laces

Try these loopy tricks to get a Cinderella fit from your sneaks.

Problem: Narrow feet or heel slippage
Solution: Lace up your shoe as usual until the next-to-last eyelet. Then loop each end up and down through the top eyelet on the same side. Pull each end across and through the loop on the opposite side.

Problem: Wide feet
Solution: Loop shoelace through first two eyelets as usual. Slide each end under upper and pull up to the third-from-bottom eyelet, skipping the second. Pull ends up through third eyelet, then continue lacing as usual.

Problem: Tight upper
Solution: Loop shoelace through first two eyelets. Slide right end under upper and pull up through second eyelet on right side, then cross straight over to left side; pull down through eyelet. Slide left end under upper and pull up through third eyelet on left side, then cross straight over to right side; pull down through eyelet. Continue pattern (skip eyelet on one side, then pull up and across) until you reach the top.