Anyone else dealing with heel slippage in their hiking boots?

Hiking & Backpacking
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Heel slippage in boots can be a real headache, especially when you’re out on the trails for hours. If your boots are sliding up and down every time you take a step, it can lead to blisters, discomfort, and even affect your stability while hiking. Here’s a breakdown of some common causes of heel slippage and useful tips on how to fix it.

Causes of Heel Slippage

  1. Poor Fit: If your boots are too large, it’s likely that you’ll experience heel slippage. Always make sure your hiking boots fit snugly around the heel.
  2. Inadequate Lacing: Sometimes it’s not the boot, but how you’re lacing it. Improper lacing techniques can leave space around the heel.
  3. Foot Shape: Everyone’s feet are different. Some people have a narrower heel compared to the forefoot, making it more challenging to find a good fit.

Tips to Prevent Heel Slippage

  • Choose the Right Size: Always try on boots before purchasing, and wear them with the socks you plan to use on your hikes. You want to have just the right amount of space – not too tight, but snug enough.
  • Adjust Your Lacing: A simple adjustment to your lacing technique can change everything. Try using the ‘heel lock’ method to keep your heel in place. Start off by lacing your boots normally, then when you get to the top, instead of tying a normal bow, create a loop with the laces and feed the lace through it to pull the heel back into the shoe.
  • Consider Insoles: If your boots are just slightly too big, you might find that using insoles can take up some extra space and provide better heel grip.
  • Try Different Boot Styles: If slippage continues to be an issue, consider trying different brands or styles of boots. Some brands cater to specific foot shapes better than others.

Personal Experiences

Many experienced hikers have probably dealt with this issue. It can be incredibly frustrating when you’re halfway up a mountain and your boot starts to slip! Share your experiences and let’s discuss what’s worked for you. Have you found a specific adjustment that completely solved your heel slippage? Any particular brands or models you’ve found to be more secure? Let’s help each other out to make our hiking experiences more comfortable!

Let’s get sharing and figure out ways to beat heel slippage together!

5 Likes
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I’m also experiencing heel slippage in my boots! I think improper sizing might be a huge factor. How do you all usually size your hiking boots?

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Absolutely! I had to downsize my hiking boots after realizing they were too big, which has made a big difference.

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It’s not just sizing; boot design can also contribute. If the boot doesn’t have a good heel cup, slippage will happen regardless of size.

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So true! I’ve noticed a big difference with my new boots that have a more secure heel design.

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Also, the type of material used can affect fit and slippage. I’ve seen some boots that stretch a lot over time.

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Exactly! My last pair felt great at first but loosened up after a few hikes. Anyone else had this issue?

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I’ve dealt with slippage too, especially during downhill hikes. It’s almost like a dance trying to keep my heel in place!

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Haha! I can relate! Sometimes it feels like the boots have a mind of their own. Anyone tried any tricks to prevent this?

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Have you considered different lacing techniques? Sometimes that can create a better fit and minimize heel slippage.

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Great point! I’ve tried the ‘lock lacing’ method, and it helped. Definitely worth a shot!

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I feel like brands are hit or miss with their sizing. Some of my friends love a certain brand, but I can’t make them work for me.

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Same here! It’s so frustrating. It makes me wonder if there’s a universal sizing chart for hiking boots!

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You can also try wearing thicker socks or heel grips for added support. It sometimes helps fill that gap!

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I actually carry extra socks on longer hikes just in case. It’s a lifesaver!

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I’m definitely dealing with heel slippage in my hiking boots! It’s so frustrating on the trail. Anyone found any successful remedies?

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Have you tried different insoles? I recently switched to gel insoles and they’ve made a huge difference for me!

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I had the same issue until I got heel grips. They really help lock my heel in place. Highly recommend them!

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I’ve heard great things about gel insoles. Do you know if they work well with all boot types?

4 Likes
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I’ve tried both insoles and heel grips. The key for me was getting the right size boot. Sometimes sizing up a half-size helps.