How to Lace Kids’ Shoes to Prevent Heel Slippage – 3 Easy and Simple Steps!
Is your child complaining that their heels are slipping off the shoes? Have you noticed blisters around your child’s heels? Heel slippage is one of the most common reasons why children refuse to wear their shoes or develop blisters around their heels. Having worked as a shoe fitter for over 10 years, I’ve encountered numerous instances of heel slippage in children’s shoes but with the right shoe lacing technique, it’s possible to prevent heel slippage and ensure a comfortable fit.
Why Does My Child Heels Slip Off the Shoes?
These are the four most common reasons why your child’s heels might slip off their shoes:
- Improper Shoe Size: Shoes that are too big or too wide can cause heel slippage. It’s crucial to measure your child’s feet accurately and choose the right size.
- Inadequate Lacing: Shoes that are not laced properly can lead to insufficient grip around the heel area, causing slippage.
- Shoe Design: Some shoe designs have a looser heel area, which can contribute to slippage.
- Foot Shape: Every child’s foot shape is unique. Children with narrow heels may experience more slippage in shoes designed for average-sized feet.
Importance of Proper Shoe Lacing – Use the Top Eyelets!
Proper shoe lacing is not just about keeping the shoe on the foot; it’s about providing stability and support to the child’s foot while walking, running, or playing. Correctly laced shoes can prevent injuries and improve overall comfort.
Most parents are not aware of the importance of using all of the eyelets (shoe holes) of the shoes. I have noticed throughout the years that most children who experience heel slippage are not using the top two eyelets of their shoes:
The Heel Lock (Lace Lock) Method
The shoe lacing technique I will show you below can be applied to all sneakers that have shoelaces. This is how to lace shoes to prevent heel slippage.
1. Start by leaving the two top eyelets (small holes of the shoe) of each side of the shoes open – take a look at the image below for clarification:
2. Grab the shoelaces and go through the top hole first as shown in the image below:
3. The last step is to go through the holes you left open:
Basically what this shoe lacing technique does is push your child’s feet back against the back of the shoe, securing and protecting your child’s heels.
Getting Durable Shoelaces for Your Child’s Shoes
Selecting the right shoelaces is just as important as choosing the right lacing technique. Durable shoelaces can withstand the wear and tear of daily activities, ensuring that your child’s shoes remain securely fastened.
- Order these shoelaces made by GREATLACES on Amazon
- Packing contains two pairs of laces
- Order the correct lace length by counting how many eyelets (shoe holes) your child’s shoes have
- Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Personalized Shoe Recommendations for Kids with Narrow Feet
If your child has narrow feet, finding the right shoe can be challenging. It’s essential to choose shoes that provide a snug fit without causing discomfort. I created a different resource that has a list of narrow sneakers for kids.
The Importance of Undoing the Laces Before Taking the Shoes On/Off
Encourage your child to undo their laces before taking shoes on or off. This habit prevents unnecessary stretching and maintains the shoe’s shape and fit. For example, the image below shows how the shoes used to look when it was new (image on the left), and how the shoe looks now (image on the right). Do you notice how the back of the shoe on the right is all stretched out from the child not undoing the velcro strap?
Proper shoe lacing is a simple yet effective way to prevent heel slippage and ensure your child enjoys comfortable, well-fitted shoes.
