Teach me how to tie my shoes

Apparently, I did not learn how to tie my shoes in kindergarten.

I have a relatively new pair of La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX boots, and for the life of me, I cannot get the laces to stay tight for more than one or two laps at a time. Sometimes it feels like I'm spending half the day opening my gaiters and tightening the laces over and over. Has anyone experienced this or have some super secret technique for tying your shoes that they left out of the kindergarten curriculum? I also noticed that my boots came with some "Extra Tounge" could this possibly help in any way, shape, or form?

When tighting the laces rock your leg back and forth so you can pull the laces tighter.

Also when tieing the bow if you do 2 loops around your fingers instead of one it's much less prone to coming undone. This variation does take a lot more work to dress but works very well. 

I only use a redundant triple fisherman’s follow though on a bight hitch knot to tie my shoes, and if you don’t ygd

Replace the laces. The stock laces are pretty slippery. 

Also get rid of your gators it’s not 1990 anymore lol

Sam Klinger wrote:

Also get rid of your gators it’s not 1990 anymore lol

Yes, you are right, in a way, but inexpensive gaiters can protect your expensive goretex pants from the pointy things you have on your boots. On the other hand, you could say, people should stop being clumsy and/or poor. 

I’ve actually been trying out this new technique and I think it’s working?

For every cross to lace up on those hooks, twist the laces once like you are ready to start tying your bunny ears or tree or whatever.

So once fully laced, I have essentially 3 extra points of lace on lace friction so your last knot doesn’t feel much force and likes to stay tied.

Hopefully that made sense?

Oh that's actually not a bad idea at all, I'll give that a go the next time I'm wearing my boots. 

Stefan Jacobsen wrote:

Yes, you are right, in a way, but inexpensive gaiters can protect your expensive goretex pants from the pointy things you have on your boots. On the other hand, you could say, people should stop being clumsy and/or poor. 

Sam and Stefan, thank you for your input but let’s keep this discussion on topic. There are plenty of other forum posts diving into the pros and cons of gaiters. Thanks. 

Victor Machtel wrote:

Replace the laces. The stock laces are pretty slippery. 

Victor, can you recommend a specific replacement lace?

I just put a pair of these on this season. They're better than the stock laces, but I still have to remember to check and re-tie them between hiking and climbing.

rock climbing wrote:

Try a square knot. 

I would for sure do this on early LS tango models that did not have lace locks! Pita to adjust though.

jacob m s wrote:

When tighting the laces rock your leg back and forth so you can pull the laces tighter.

Also when tieing the bow if you do 2 loops around your fingers instead of one it's much less prone to coming undone. This variation does take a lot more work to dress but works very well. 

I’ve been using this method to tie all my footwear for probably 25 years! Learned this when I was using Salomon Ice Guide 9s thru a couple pair of Nepals! Rarely if ever did they come undone. 

Grant Breidenbach wrote:

Victor, can you recommend a specific replacement lace?

I've been using Barth laces in my mountain boots for years and I rarely if ever have issues with laces coming undone. Also, I own a pair of OG Nepal Treks with the stock laces still in them. They're pretty bomber as well. I do tie off my butterflies with an extra knot though. Maybe that's the trick.