Each time I've tripped but caught myself before falling, probably because the lace didn't hook in completely tightly (and I wasn't taking fast strides). The first time it happened, I thought, what a bizarre fluke, but when it happened 2 more times in close succession, I had to admit that the design was dangerous.
I found a few stories on the internet:
1. "So I'm out for my hike this morning with a 45 lb pack, my Hanwag Alaska GTX Boots and my Kahtoola Micro-Spikes... I'm coming down a steep rocky grade and suddenly both of my feet are somehow shackled together, resulting in a major wipe-out that somehow, miraculously resulted in no damage to my pathetic body. As I lay in the rock-slide assessing if I'd broken anything I realized that my feet were inexplicably connected at the ankles. One of the links on my spikes had caught a speed lace hook on the opposite foot and hooked my boots together."
2. "I have a problem with the lace of my boot catching on the backward facing open eyelet hook (for the laces) of my opposite foot when my feet pass each other. In the last five years I have fallen from this four times and when I fall I fall extremely hard and broke my arm pretty severely once and injured my hip in another fall. It happens extremely unexpectedly and my feet are essentially tied together."
3. "I was walking on a trail, same as I've done hundreds of times before and suddenly with no warning, I'm flat on the ground with my face in the dirt. I generally find my hiking poles very useful in preventing falls, but not this time. As I tried to stand I found that my feet were tied together. The inside loop of the double knot on my left boot had snagged in one of the speed lace hooks on the inside of my right boot. This happened so quick there was no chance of preventing the fall. After a little reflection I realized how serious this could have been if it occured while climbing down a steep cliff, rock-hopping across a stream, or dashing across a road."
4. "I was walking along indoors (so no jogging or running) and the loop (bow) of the lace on one of my shoes got hooked onto one of the hooks of the other shoe and I still don't know how I managed to stay on my feet without crashing to the floor. I had to take a number of stumbling steps before I eventually came to a halt. If I had been going any faster or if I was older or less fit, then it could have been very, very dangerous because when shoelaces get caught like that it is ALMOST impossible to achieve a stablising stance."
I love these hiking boots. If I needed to replace them, I'd buy essentially the same thing again, here. But I've got to deal with the safety issue. Options:
1. Remove the hook. (No, I like the ankle support.)
2. Bend the hook to make the opening smaller. (If it's small enough to work to lace the shoes, it's not too small to catch, and you can't do it if the hooks aren't made of metal, and mine are not.)
3. Learn to walk with your feet farther apart. (Ridiculous! You might forget to do it all the time, it seems unhealthy, it might look stupid, and it's not what you want to be thinking about when you're out for a walk.)
4. Wear clothing that covers the hook area — either long-enough pants, fold over the tops of socks, or some kind of leg warmers or gaiters. (This is a good idea, perhaps the best idea.)
5. Put the laces through the hooks twice to fill up the hole and also tie the loops of the bow a second and even a third time so there's nothing sticking out where it might catch. (This is the simplest idea, but don't trust it when you're wearing your Kahtoola Micro-Spikes.)
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91 comments:
There is a class-action suit just waiting for some entrepreneurial attorney.
The older hooks that looked like half-clam-shells were safer. Take a sidecutter or a heavy scissors and clip off the extention of the hook/snag; effect is about the same as putting the lace through 2 or 3 times to fill it up.
2. "I have a problem with the lace of my boot catching on the backward facing open eyelet hook (for the laces) of my opposite foot when my feet pass each other. In the last five years I have fallen from this four times and when I fall I fall extremely hard and broke my arm pretty severely once and injured my hip in another fall. It happens extremely unexpectedly and my feet are essentially tied together."
FOUR TIMES? This is a Laslo-signal...
"The first three times he molested me...but the fourth time!"
"Yes, I'm going back tomorrow, why do you ask?"
What is hiking?
This has happened to me several times...and when you're running, you go down HARD. I solved the problem by taking pliers and bending the hooks completely closed. The lack of ankle support is a decent tradeoff for the lack of falling on your face.
Odd that it is just now happening after eight years. Maybe you’ve worn the soles down so your stride is different?
"...extremely unexpectedly..."
What does this mean?
"...extremely unexpectedly..."
There are 50 shades of unexpectedly.
Can't you minimize or avoid this problem by using shorter laces?
I have had the same thing happen with my boots. It's a big shock when it happens.
The nice part of my boots is the hooks are metal so I was able to take pliers and tighten and almost close the hooks.
Now I have to thread the laces through those hooks rather than 'speed lace' but it's worth it for me not to fall (at least not more than usual)
You might try using some glue like Duco Cement and fill the opening if the hooks are made of plastic.
So remove the hook.
My first thought was the same as Bad Lieutenant's.
My second thought was gaiters. Since you are not looking to keep out snow, you could probably get some crafty person to make you something that slips one easily, doesn't extend above the boot, and looks reasonable, fairly cheaply.
If your boots are 8 years old and well used, then they are worn out. Certainly they are damaged by UV rays to the point where a serious failure is going to happen soon.
Go back to a good store and try on new boots - your feet will be shocked.
-XC
PS - Running shoes really only give you good support for a maximum of 6 months or 200-300 miles.
Ankle grab takedown
works every time. Your shoes are wrestling with you.
All the sex abuse news has caused you to subconsciously being your knees closer together. Your feet have followed.
They look like Keen's. I am a big fan of Keen hiking shoes and sandals.
Take your time to lace them correctly. They are the best hiking shoes.
Amazing. And you a law professor (Retired).
Seriously, I've been hiking all my life, and I've heard of this happening.
But truth is stranger..etc.
I've long recognized a collary of Murphy's Law; if there's any chance something will get hung up it will, at the worst possible time. Until you need something to catch; then you can forget about it.
The fact that it's never happened over eight years but now happens repetitively means something has changed. I'd consider either the geometry of the hook (or the other boot), or your gait.
What Original Mike says. I'll guess wear on the boot has changed your gait?
I think wrapping duct tape around the boot after you put it on, covering up the hook, will solve your problem. Because duct tape fixes anything.
Shorter laces.
I'm assuming that it's the bows that are catching; since the lace below the knot has no slack? so, either
you're tying them different, and the bows are bigger; or,
you're walking different (like people are saying)
8 years old: BUY NEW BOOTS!
Then, tuck the bows under the tongue and/or get gaiters/duck tape to cover the bows
We can't afford to lose you prof!
I thought I was just a clutz! I fold the second pair of socks over the top of my boots.
They're in perfectly good condition. I'm not throwing them out! Boots are better when they are broken in. What are you people, shoe salesmen?
I have 20-year-old hiking boots.
Good as new.
But they have no weird hooks.
I recently had to replace my 30 year old hiking boots. Broke my heart.
I had that happen one time with a pair of work shoes with metal hooks. I was just going to make a quick trip outside so I didn't bother lacing them up, I just put them on and started running across the driveway. My feet got tied together and I did a face plant on the blacktop.
If you really like the boots for hiking, just put a wrap of athletic tape around the top of them once they're laced up. Easily removed after the hike.
Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times....
Say, where is that odd job feller who tends the grounds?...
Hiker: do you expect me to walk?
Boots reply: No, I expect you to fall!
"What are you people, shoe salesmen?"
rhhardin = Al Bundy? Possible.
I think your biggest problem is a poorly designed hook. The laces on my Oboz boots easily go into the top hook, and it's very secure, but I can't force the laces through the hook a second time even if I try. I'm also in the habit of "double tying" my laces because I hate it when they come untied. Double tying shortens the loops considerably. You might try that. If the loop in your laces can't reach the hook they can't get hooked. Years ago I was downclimbing some low angled ice, facing outward as is appropriate when my crampons pierced a rather long strap that was hanging down from my backpack. I fell flat on my face on a polished ice slope directly above a near vertical drop of 75' or so. The books say you can't self-arrest on water ice, but I did. A damned good thing, too.
@Althouse, consider (6) what Aggie proposed, and (7) replacing your existing laces with wider, thicker laces.
I have boots I bought in 1986. So, 30 years old. Bought them at Fontana. Awesome Boots.
No weird hooks.
"I have boots I bought in 1986. So, 30 years old. Bought them at Fontana. Awesome Boots."
Hey, me too! (Fontana, about 1983). Boots fit right out of the box, little breaking in required. When they finally gave up the ghost (holes in the leather upper) I found that Danner still made the same model, but there are construction differences such that I'm not as happy with them as my old ones. They are servicable, however.
Your picture shows the outside of the right boot. If that's the hook that's snagging, you should try putting it on the other foot. Or gain 30 pounds so your fatter thighs push your feet further apart.
My boot laces are way too long. At first I wrapped them around my ankle before tying, now I hook them twice on each hook.
What about taking the loops and threading them down the tongue under the crossing laces? Or tucking them in the top of the tongue. Or shortening the laces so that they don't need long loops.
I hear that never-be-senator moore's zipper happens to catch on any 14-year old girl who happens to walk by.
Uhr, you really crept back here to share gems like that? Remember what I told you...
Bad design. Accident waiting to happen.
Best answer, cut the hooks off flush. A permanent fix.
Second best answer, overwrap with duct tape after tying laces. A "workaround." Requires more personal discipline and bringing a roll of duct tape on the hike.
Don't they have ankle warmers, or whatever that girl wore in Flashdance? That ought to do the job.
First You need to tuck your laces no matter what boots you wear.
Pro tip from someone who spent too much time walking in boots.
I would also agree that those hooks are poorly placed. Who ever designed them walks in cities.
Stop wearing these shoes. Problem solved.
If you like the boots, why not just change the eyelet- speed hooks for metal ones. Is there no shoe shop in your town? A decent leather worker can replace the plastic hooks for lower profile metal ones.
So they're the Takata airbags of hiking boots.
Duct tape.
and yet, you keep wearing the boots.
Y’all need to start getting yer boots put on the right feet. That I think is the problem thar.
I agree with what n1r0l anynonmouse said: Take the boots to shoe repair shop. I see them in my own little NC town, so presumably cosmopolitan Madison has one or two, as well. Maybe the cobbler can replace the hook with a grommet or eyelet.
Try Monroe Street Shoe Repair, 2630 Monroe St. I've been going there for years.
Achilles said...
tl;dr
I'm not sure I'd take advice on foot protection from someone named Achilles.
At the Monroe St shop, ask for Sally.
This has never happened to me when I've hiked, but it does, often, when I sit at a desk and cross legs at my ankles. That's fun.
I'm looking at my Oboz and they don't have hooks like the old school boots I've had. My Altra's don't either.
I fractured my shoulder three weeks ago because of the same thing!
Yesterday afternoon I popped into town for some shopping and was headed for the greengrocers at moderate speed when, suddenly, somebody lassoed my feet...
I am squinting at the screen through my one working eye... the other is the most spectacular black eye I have ever seen (I mean, if Marks & Spencers did black eyes...) But that is not the worst bit! I sprained both elbows and am currently unable to eat or drink unaided (trousers are also a bit of a problem). The ER doctor reckons it will take at least a week for the swelling to go down.
On the other hand, my ego feels slightly less dented knowing that this actually happens (quite often apparently) to other people. I will probably throw these boots out - nice footwear is all well and good, but I prefer being able to feed and dress myself while I am still of an age.
Yesterday morning I went out for a walk with my dog. I only made it to the end of my road when I came crashing down to the pavement. I also was wearing some walking boots and the bow of the lace from one boot had got caught by the metal hook of the boot on the opposite foot! The metal hook came off the boot due to the force of me falling. This was extremely painful and I went along to the MIU later on as the pain would not go from my left arm. They did some x-rays and found that I have fractured the radial head (elbow) and is extremely painfull. This was suppossed to be my week off work. Something needs to be done about these boots as the metal hook makes them very dangerous. Good job I was not going down some stairs or running when it happened.
Hi BB - perhaps I should have updated my previous comment. It turned out I didn't just sprain both elbows - I was only led to believe that by a spectacularly useless/disinterested ER doctor... I had infact fractured both my radial heads - it took 6 months of physio to get my arms straightened out and I have just started more physio on my shoulders and neck which apparently also took the shock. You are right - Something needs to be done. They were banned for use by parachutists following a fatal accident and over here in France where I live they are part of the military and police uniforms - but they are issued with strict instructions to the wearers to cover the speed hooks with socks or even gaffer tape in order to avoid accidents! Why do they not come with at least a warning on the box?
Hope you recover quickly.
Joanne
Just happened last weekend in my sign shop. Made a quick turn around a table and lace hooked the opposite shoe speed hook. No stopping forward body motion. Into the wall corner catching wall with my left hand bending shoulder half way around also slamming both knees into the concrete. Luckily did not land face first into wall or could have broken my neck. Need to be outlawed.
My solution! Drill the hooks off the boots and put the laces through the holes!
A few years ago I was getting a bucket of manure in the backyard. Whilst carrying the heavy bucket in one hand, the lace of one boot caught the speed-hook of the other and over I went... put my hand out to stop my fall and nearly broke a finger in the process (my finger was sore for a year and had to take medication for months for the pain), ended up flat on my face... thank God it was only on grass and not concrete!
These hooks are a fashion accessory, they save no time at all (speed-hooks my ....). Get rid of them, they ARE a real danger especially on WORK BOOTS!!!
p.s. check out some of the "accidents". e.g. a hang-glider pilot's control cables caught the hooks on one boot and he had to land with one foot only!
Hello I know its been awhile since this post first was posted. But I just got a new pair of X Ultra Solomon boots and I nearly fell 3 times in two days... Wow I researched this problem and came across your post. I was wondering if you ever came up with a solution you were satisfied with?
ron
I threw them away. They are an accident waiting to happen
Just happens to me with a pair of Sportivas. Almost broke two wrists, damaged both knees, and re-injured my groin . Not sure how I didn’t end up in the ER. This really is a serious issue! Walking fast I did a sudden face plant to the ground. Very scary!
Same thing happened to me with Bergahus boots recently but fractured hip into the bargain and ended up in ER. Will probably crimp them so it wont happen again. Scary that others have had similar experiences, thought I was being an un-coordinated oaf
Happened to me with my Sportivas today. Hip and foot are injured, and I'm a competitive athlete. This is a huge design flaw. Expensive hiking boots should not need modified with tape or gaiters covering the hooks. Tucked in laces can come out. This is a problem the companies need to remedy--not the consumer. I don't understand why boots have these hooks. Traditional eyelets work fine. I contacted La Sportiva and urge everyone do do the same with other manufacturers. Maybe they will start to listen.
Has no one ever notified the shoe manufacturers? Just found this blog and feel vindicated. Brand new Soloman X-Ultra boots have smashed me onto a grassy slope, a gravel road and elsewhere. Road rash on nose, lip and chin. I'm 79 years old--lucky still to be in one piece! My daughter and granddaughter both said they and their friends have had this problem with Soloman ski boots. I'm going to contact Soloman and give them a hard time. We all should!
I know this post is old, but I just got a new pair of Keen Targhee ii boots and this exact same thing is happening to me. I'm an avid hiker and not prone to tripping or losing my balance at all, so this is driving me crazy. I've been mostly able to catch myself when it's happened several times over the last two weeks, but today it was a bit cold and I was walking with my hands in my pocket and I biffed it big time. Luckily my injuries are surfacey, but now I am scared to keep wearing them. I am glad to know I'm not the only one (because my pride was feeling as bruised as my knees and hands), but wondered if you ever found a good solution? Or if I should just return them, since they're still under warranty?
I tried out my new merrell boots with the top hooks. Somehow the hook got caught onto the other boot and I fell flat. Luckily I put my hands out and did everything to prevent my nose and teeth from connecting with the concrete. I only cut my lip but I really feel that the hook is a dangerous. I've been hiking twenty years and this has never happened. The shock from the fall was so bad I almost started crying in front of the hiking group I was with.
My walking companion said it was a miracle I didn't break my nose.
I am going to be writing to Merrell regarding the hooks on their boot. I have a swollen lip from the cut. I am 50 but have good upper body strength so I think the ability of me being able to break my fall helped
I tried out my new merrell boots with the top hooks. Somehow the hook got caught onto the other boot and I fell flat. Luckily I put my hands out and did everything to prevent my nose and teeth from connecting with the concrete. I only cut my lip but I really feel that the hook is a dangerous. I've been hiking twenty years and this has never happened.
My walking companion said it was a miracle I didn't break my nose.
I am going to be writing to Merrell regarding the hooks on their boot. I have a swollen lip from the cut. I am 50 but have good upper body strength.
I started wearing my new Berghaus walking boots last week. Second time out I felt like my feet had been glued together and fell flat on the pavement. Luckily just minor bruising. Put it down to bad luck. Next day after walking for 20 mins same thing but came down much harder badly bruising shoulder,elbow, arm and wrist. I realised the lacing hooks had clipped and locked into the opposing boot. I was lucky it was a flat path and I was walki g slowly. If it had happened on a more challenging walk and I fell I could have been seriously injured. I will never wear boots with hooks again. They are a death trap. The designers should be aware of this with so many serious falls. They were not cheap £150. I won't resell as I couldn't pass on a potential disaster to someone else. Gaffer tape socks over the top, why? The design is at fault and it is not up to the purchaser to find a way round this. Everyone please don't buy boots with hooks.
This happened to me. Ended up with hairline crack in my back. I loved the boots but I'm tossing them. Not worth it.
This is happening to me with Keen hikers. I'm going to tie my laces facing the outside of each shoe rather than the center and see if it improves my chances of staying upright. This is going to kill someone and quite possibly may have already.
Dislocated my shoulder last week that way. Lots of pain, at least six weeks to recover, can’t move my shoulder for at least 3 weeks. Never imagined my shoes could be so dangerous.
I have some hooks on the boots I use for paragliding. A fellow pilot pointed out the hooks as potential hazards if a line were to get caught. I used some pliers to curve the hooks so they aren't extended as far out, and I ordered a leather square and some leather glue online.. I'm going to try to get some little strips glued over each one so there is no way anything can get caught on the hooks. I'll thread the laces through the bent hooks that will be covered in leather
Interesting, this never happened to me, but since I was a kid a thought gaiters were invented for that purpose. The causality between hook, lace loop and falling down is obvious.
I am both glad and sad to know that it is not only my brand new (and very comfortable) Solomon hiking boots that cause this problem. Last week I was feeling great, put them on just to get used to them, and was charging down a flat sidewalk to go to a store when suddenly I felt my feel catch and went down very hard and fast on elbows and face. I am 65 year old. I fractured by left elbow (needs surgery) and badly strained the right should and wrist, bloodied my nose, but fortunately did not hurt my font teeth. Defintely the worst fall I have every taken in my life. The Solomons have same kind of hook as in the picture, built like a flying butress that cannot be squished down to lower its profile. I think a class action law suit would do the world a favor.
I am both glad and sad to know that it is not only my brand new (and very comfortable) Solomon hiking boots that cause this problem. Last week I was feeling great, put them on just to get used to them, and was charging down a flat sidewalk to go to a store when suddenly I felt my feel catch and went down very hard and fast on elbows and face. I am 65 year old. I fractured by left elbow (needs surgery) and badly strained the right should and wrist, bloodied my nose, but fortunately did not hurt my font teeth. Defintely the worst fall I have every taken in my life. The Solomons have same kind of hook as in the picture, built like a flying butress that cannot be squished down to lower its profile. I think a class action law suit would do the world a favor.
I was on a walk last Sunday and a girl fell and bashed her nose because her feet got stuck together in her speed lace hooks. I made a video to warn people. Here it is. Pass it on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmf5nqKF4Zk
good to hear I am not alone. I am switching to lock laces.
Came here to see if anyone had similar experience. Friday was on an 8 mile hike and I have ankle hiking boots w speed laces at the top, mile 6 one caught on the other on a steep rocky hill and I went down face forward, dislocated shoulder, knees ripped, and the best part had to hike another 2.5 miles back out w shoulder out of socket to a 30 min ATV ride to a 1.5 hour drive to the ER. Now Im in a sling waiting to see an ortho doc and see if I need surgery - needless to say those boots are in the trash.
Came here to see if anyone had similar experience. Friday was on an 8 mile hike and I have ankle hiking boots w speed laces at the top, mile 6 one caught on the other on a steep rocky hill and I went down face forward, dislocated shoulder, knees ripped, and the best part had to hike another 2.5 miles back out w shoulder out of socket to a 30 min ATV ride to a 1.5 hour drive to the ER. Now Im in a sling waiting to see an ortho doc and see if I need surgery - needless to say those boots are in the trash.
This same thing happened to me as I was rushing thru an airport and suddenly found myself on the ground. Fractured a finger, thankfully nothing else. Yes. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Phila
I just used pliers to rip top hooks off brand new Keen hiking boots. Similarly experienced a trip fall leaving grocery store and suddenly fell flat on my face. Top of right hand was swollen a couple weeks but got lucky as no broken bones and face injuries could have been much worse than some bruising. Have been wearing boots awhile and this was a first, this design poses a significant hazard that seems to not be broadly known.
I wear skirts and have been told hazard is avoided by wearing pants. I think this is still shortsighted to design boots only for one a type of apparel and not skirts, shirts or any attire that exposes the hooks.
I definitely was not wearing a skirt I was wearing shorts. The issue is that even when properly laced the loop from one side caught the hook other side as I stepped close together to avoid rocks and down I went, dislocating my shoulder. Six months of PT and it will never be 100% as it was again, so take that for what it's worth. The boots went in the trash and I bought some Merril hiking shoes, miss the ankle support but it's not worth the risk. And even wearing jeans the jeans themselves can catch on these stupidly designed hooks - illegal in parts of Europe.
I’m very sorry Juanita to read that you and others have endured these serious injuries. I hope you experience more healing. It’s concerning this hazard doesn’t appear to be more broadly known. I was embarrassed about my own fall but this blog post has helped me realize the importance of submitting concern with the boot’s manufacturer. Maybe others have or will do the same. I will be mindful of all the very good suggestions posted and Thank you to A. Althouse for blogging and bringing attention to this topic. (Previous post had a typo shirts = shorts).
Juantana
I originally posted back in 2020 about my near catastrophic accident with my Merrell speedhooks.
I realized I hadn't posted an update because I was so upset but several weeks after the accident I wrote to Merrell. They asked for photos. I sent them pictures of the boot and close up of the speed hooks. They asked me to pick another boot of equal value which wasnt much consolation.
I asked them what they were going to do because I missed a potentially catastrophic injury and almost got killed if I had hit my head but they did not respond. I think if I had major injuries this would have been a bigger issue. I ended up taking a pair of pliers and closing the speed hook. And received my new boots (big deal lol) But this is definitely a product defect.
It's a design defect. Nobody needs a speed hook. Boots can perform all the necessary functions (support, comfort, warmth, ventilation, waterproofing etc) without having
a dangerous, unnecessary feature like these
From:MB
Sorry to read all these accounts of speed hook injuries. Last month I was hiking when I took a quick face plant. When I went to get up, the loop on left double tied lace was attached to speed hook on right boot. The boots are Merrells mid insulated hikers. It’s like having your feet tied together. I sustained a sprained wrist, cracked rib, gash in my temple and black eye. Not to mention my dignity and confidence. I was shook and rattled and it was weeks before I healed. I read these accounts and realize how lucky I was. And I thought back to another fall I had in November, I thought a vine had grabbed toe of my boot mid step. Someone bent down and retired my boot after the fall, saying maybe this is why you fell. I dismissed it, thinking no, something grabbed my boot. Now I realize it was the loop of lace opposite speed hook. This was same sensation. That time I was in a wrist brace for 6 weeks.
Anyway now I called Merrell, some operator sitting at home in her living room on a Sunday was not really interested. I used pliers to close the speed hooks on my boots. I was still nervous to hike in them. I went to REI and explained problem to guy in she dept. We looked at boots displayed on their walk, my Merrells were there. He said, whoa, you’re right, the hooks are open way wider than any other brand up there! I was going to buy new boots, but he came up w a brainstorm. Gators! They are designed to wrap around front of boots and cover the laces and hooks. They are meant to keep out snow and dirt, but important thing is to cover the hooks. $50. And I’m able to confidently hike again. Please consider the gators for your safety.
You were very lucky! A dislocated shoulder and 6 months of PT for me.. same Merrills, I threw them out and I got the lower hiking shoes - reading all these stories I really am surprised that they havent been sued over this - if there's ever a class action I'd be first in line. when I fell I had literally just looked down because I was trying to avoid rocks, I think I stepped too close together but I was traveling at a good pace which all that enertia goes into the faceplate - again you were very lucky! stay safe everyone.
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