How to Lace Grappa Hiker for Ankle Support
By Diemme Footwear - Official Online Store | Published: 2026-10-23
Category: How-to Guides
Learn a simple lacing technique that locks your heel in place and supports your ankle when wearing Diemme Grappa Hiker low boots on trails or city streets.
Quick answer
Use the heel-lock (lace-lock) technique with your Grappa Hiker to reduce heel slip and improve ankle stability without tightening the boot too much.
Why the Grappa Hiker benefits from a heel-lock lace
The Grappa Hiker is a low-cut boot with a padded collar and a Vibram New Winkler sole. Its low profile gives you freedom of movement but less natural ankle support than a taller boot. A heel-lock lacing pattern pulls your heel back into the heel cup, which stabilizes your foot and prevents blisters on uneven ground.
This technique works especially well with the Grappa Hiker's extra set of laces, which you can swap to match your preferred tension. The key is to create a separate locking loop that cinches the top of the boot without crushing your instep.
How to lace your Grappa Hiker for ankle support
- 1. Lace the boot normally up to the second-to-last eyelet: Thread the laces through the bottom eyelets and crisscross them all the way up to the second set of eyelets from the top. Leave the top eyelets empty for now. Pull the laces snug but not tight enough to pinch the top of your foot. A common mistake is lacing too tight early on, which restricts blood flow. Keep a finger-width of slack under the laces at the instep.
- 2. Create the locking loop at the top eyelets: Instead of crossing the laces over the tongue, take each lace end straight up into the top eyelet on the same side. This forms a small loop on each side. Then cross the laces and thread them through the opposite loops. Pull outward to tighten. If the loops are uneven, the lock won't hold. Adjust so both loops are the same size before pulling.
- 3. Lace the heel-lock at the top: Bring each lace end across to the opposite side and thread it under the vertical loop you just created. Then pull the laces diagonally downward and outward until your heel feels seated firmly in the heel cup. Tie a standard bow. You should feel the heel lock, not the instep, tighten. If you feel pressure on your ankle bones, loosen the top eyelets slightly.
- 4. Test the fit and adjust lace tension: Stand up and walk a few steps. Your heel should not lift more than a few millimeters. If it still slips, repeat steps 2 and 3 with a bit more tension. If the top of the boot digs in, use the spare laces to re-lace with a slightly looser crisscross pattern before applying the lock. The goal is a secure heel without numbness or hot spots. Re-tie after breaking in the boots for a few hours.
Product fact
- Grappa Hiker Silvergreen Fabric M: The Grappa Hiker comes with an extra set of laces so you can switch between neutral and contrast colors. Having a spare pair means you can dedicate one set for heel-lock lacing and keep the other for everyday wear, making it easy to adjust tension without re-lacing from scratch.
Grappa Hiker Silvergreen Fabric M
