Look at your feet. If you’re wearing New Balance, you probably care about your arches, your gait, or just looking like you’ve got your life together in a pair of 990s. But most people treat their laces like an afterthought. They yank them tight, double-knot, and wonder why their toes go numb by noon. Honestly, the way you tie your New Balance shoes matters more than the colorway you picked out. It’s the difference between a shoe that supports you and a shoe that fights you.
Most of us learned to tie our shoes when we were five. We haven't updated the "bunny ears" software since. New Balance designs their sneakers with specific eyelet patterns—especially that weird extra hole at the top—for a reason. If you aren't using it, you're basically leaving performance on the table.
The Heel Lock: That extra hole isn't for decoration
Ever feel your heel slipping? It’s annoying. It causes blisters. It ruins the lining of your expensive Made in USA 2002Rs. To fix this, you need the "Runner’s Loop" or "Heel Lock." This is the gold standard for how to tie New Balance shoes if you’re actually planning on walking more than a block.
First, lace your shoes normally until you reach the second-to-last eyelet. Instead of crossing over to the other side, take the lace and poke it back through the very last hole on the same side. This creates a small loop. Do it on both sides. Now, cross your laces and thread each end through the loop on the opposite side. Pull down and then up. You’ll feel the collar of the shoe snug up against your ankle without putting a ton of pressure on the bridge of your foot. It’s a game-changer.
People think they need to tighten the whole shoe to stop heel slip. Wrong. You just need to anchor the ankle. When you use the heel lock, the rest of the foot can breathe. Your metatarsals need room to expand when you step. If you choke them out, you’re looking at a world of foot fatigue.
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Dealing with high arches and "hot spots"
New Balance is famous for its "SL-1" and "SL-2" lasts, which offer different fits for different foot shapes. But even the best shoe can't account for a high instep if the lacing is too aggressive. If the top of your foot feels like it’s being crushed, stop using the standard criss-cross pattern in the middle of the shoe.
Try "Window Lacing" or "Parallel Lacing." Basically, you identify the area where the pressure is worst—usually the highest point of your foot. Instead of crossing the laces over that spot, run them vertically up the side to the next eyelet. This creates a "window" or a gap in the lacing that removes the direct pressure on the bone.
I’ve seen people give up on great shoes like the Fresh Foam 1080 because they felt too tight. Usually, it wasn't the shoe; it was the tension. If you have a wide foot, you might even want to skip the first set of eyelets entirely. Give your forefoot some room to splay. New Balance shoes are built for stability, but stability shouldn't feel like a vice grip.
The materials matter more than you think
Cotton laces stay tied. Synthetic, rounded laces? They’re the worst. They slip. If your New Balances came with those slick, round laces, you might find yourself re-tying them every twenty minutes.
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- Flat cotton laces: These provide more surface area and friction. They stay put.
- Elastic laces: Great for triathletes or people who just hate tying shoes, but they sacrifice some side-to-side stability.
- The "Ian Knot": If you’re still doing the slow version of the knot, look up the Ian Knot. It’s faster and more secure.
The misconception about "tightness"
There's this weird idea that a secure shoe has to be tight. That’s a myth. A secure shoe is one that moves with your foot, not against it. When you’re learning how to tie New Balance shoes for maximum comfort, aim for the "two-finger" rule. You should be able to slide two fingers under the laces at the top of the tongue.
If you can't, it's too tight. Your feet swell throughout the day. Gravity pulls blood down, and if your shoes are tied at 8:00 AM for "perfect" fit, they’ll be agonizing by 4:00 PM. New Balance’s mesh uppers are designed to flex, so let them do their job.
Special cases: Flat feet and overpronation
If you overpronate—meaning your feet roll inward—you probably bought a pair of New Balance 860s or 940s. These have a medial post to help guide your foot. But you can assist that tech with your lacing.
For overpronation, try lacing the shoes tighter on the inside (medial side) and slightly looser on the outside. This subtly encourages the foot to stay centered. It’s not a medical fix, obviously, but it’s a tweak that many long-distance walkers swear by.
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What about those "Made in USA" laces?
The premium New Balance models often come with higher-quality laces that have a bit more "bite." Don't swap them out for cheap replacements. The weight and texture of the lace are balanced to the weight of the shoe's suede and mesh. If you must replace them, try to find authentic New Balance replacements or high-quality brands like Fully Laced to maintain that specific tension.
Stop doing the double knot
Seriously. If you have to double-knot your shoes, your primary knot is failing because of physics, not a lack of effort. The standard "granny knot" (where the loops sit vertically along the shoe) is structurally weak. You want a "square knot" (where the loops sit horizontally across the shoe).
If your loops are twisting and pointing toward your toes and ankle, you’re doing it wrong. Change the direction you wrap the lace around the loop. When you get a horizontal knot, it stays tight because the tension of your foot walking actually pulls the knot tighter. Physics is cool like that.
A quick checklist for your next walk
Before you head out, do a quick audit of your setup. It takes ten seconds but saves miles of discomfort.
- Check the tongue: Is it centered? New Balance shoes often have a lace loop on the tongue to keep it from sliding. Use it.
- Toe wiggle: Can you move your toes freely? If not, loosen the bottom three eyelets.
- The snap test: Pull the ends of your laces. They should feel firm but have a tiny bit of "give."
- Socks matter: Tying shoes perfectly won't matter if your socks are bunching up. Wear moisture-wicking socks that fit tight to the skin.
Actionable Next Steps
Instead of just reading this and going about your day, sit down with your favorite pair of New Balances right now. Unlace them completely. Most people never do this. Re-lace them from scratch, starting from the bottom and ensuring the laces are flat and not twisted.
Try the Heel Lock method specifically if you’ve been dealing with any slipping. Walk around the house for five minutes. You’ll notice the shoe feels more like an extension of your leg and less like a weight hanging off your foot. Once you find the tension that works, memorize how it looks. Proper lacing is the cheapest performance upgrade you’ll ever get.