To tie hiking boots to a backpack, secure them heel-to-heel on side straps or daisy chains and lock with a short cord or carabiners.
There are times when boots ride outside the pack: river crossings, hot climbs, blister flare-ups, or muddy trailheads. Done right, the carry stays quiet, balanced, and snag-free. This how to tie hiking boots to backpack walkthrough shows fast, reliable ways to attach boots, reduce swing, and keep grime off your layers.
Boot Attachment Methods At A Glance
| Method | Best For | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Heel-To-Heel Strap Carry | Standard hiking boots | Side compression straps |
| Lace-Loop Daisy Chain | Boots with long laces | Daisy chain or lash points |
| Carabiner Hangs | Quick on-off | Two locking mini carabiners |
| Toe-Through Tool Loop | Stiff boots | Ice-axe/tool loop |
| Paracord Sling | Mixed packs | 2–3 ft of 3–4 mm cord |
| Mesh Pocket With Strap | Trail runners or light boots | Stretch pocket + top strap |
| Inside Roll-Top Dry Bag | Muck control | 5–10 L dry sack |
How To Tie Hiking Boots To Backpack: Fast Field Setup
1) Heel-To-Heel On Side Compression Straps
Seat one boot on each side of the pack with heels kissing and soles facing out. Cross the side straps over the ankles, tighten until the pair can’t swing, then tuck loose webbing. This spreads weight across both stays, keeps your back panel clean, and stays clear of your head while walking.
Tip: snug the lower strap first, then the upper. Add a half-twist to the strap before buckling to cut sway on rough trail.
2) Lace-Loop To Daisy Chains
Thread each boot’s tied laces through a daisy chain rung on the pack front or side. Tie a simple overhand to shorten the loop, then clip a mini carabiner through lace loops and the daisy rung. The boot sits flat, and the knot keeps the clip from sliding along the chain.
3) Carabiner Hangs For Speed
Clip one locking mini carabiner through both lace loops of a boot and a second through the partner boot. Hang them from opposite side straps or from the pack’s upper haul points so they balance. Lock the gates. This works well at river crossings when you want shoes back on fast.
4) Toe-Through A Tool Loop
Many packs include tool loops and lash points. Slide a toe through the loop, run the upper strap across the boot shaft, and cinch. Pair the second boot on the other side so weight stays even. Keep toes down so rocks and brush don’t catch the heels.
5) Paracord Sling When Hardware Is Missing
Tie a 16–18 inch closed loop of cord. Feed the loop through both lace sets heel-to-heel, then girth-hitch the cord to a side strap or daisy rung. Finish with a backup overhand. The soft loop stops squeaks on hard plastic buckles and takes seconds to release at camp.
6) Mesh Pocket + Top Strap
Slide both boots into a large front mesh pocket, soles out. Pull the pocket tight, then run the pack’s top strap across the ankles and clip to the opposite side. This method keeps mud away from rain gear in the main compartment and guards laces from brush.
Pack Balance, Snag Control, And Noise Reduction
Outside carry can squeak, sway, and smack your hips if the setup is sloppy. The fix is simple: even weight, tight straps, and short tails. Place one boot per side or center both on the front face near the pack’s midline. Keep the pair no higher than shoulder level so the load doesn’t feel tippy on switchbacks.
Use a strap keeper or a simple elastic to manage webbing tails. Soft touches like a scrap of foam under buckles can stop rattles on hard shells.
Clean Gear, Dry Feet: Mud And Water Management
Boots that rode through muck can share grit with rain shells, puffy layers, and sleeping bags. Drop a thin dog-waste bag or grocery sack over each boot before strapping down, or stash them in a small roll-top dry bag before lashing to the pack. That bag then becomes a wash kit tote at camp.
Drying matters. High heat can damage leather and glue, so stick with airflow and gentle warmth. A fan, newspaper, or a boot dryer on low air works well; avoid direct heaters or stoves that can cook midsoles and adhesives.
Why Not Just Pack Boots Inside?
Internal carry is tidy and snag-free, and it keeps the pack narrow for brushy tracks. The catch is volume. On warm approaches many hikers swap to light shoes and stash boots outside to save main-bag space for water and food. If you do pack them inside, use a dedicated sack so grit doesn’t spread through the load.
Leave No Trace And Safe Lash Points
Loose items can scrape rock, snag branches, and shed parts on trail. Keep outside carry slim and secure. REI’s guide to tool loops and lash-on points explains where packs are designed to hold awkward gear, and it recommends keeping the outside load light to avoid snags and scrapes.
Follow the Leave No Trace idea set. Pack small trash, keep gear tight, and avoid gear that drags. A simple stuff sack around boots keeps mud off plants near narrow paths. Learn the seven principles guide to dial in best trail habits.
Step-By-Step: Field-Ready Boot Tie
Set The Pack For Balance
Load heavy items in the core, light items at the top, and tighten side straps. Check that the frame sits close to your back so the extra weight of boots feels neutral instead of pulling you backward.
Pick The Side
Choose the side with fewer pocket bulges. Boots hang better over flat fabric. If wind is fierce, center the pair on the front face to cut sway.
Link The Boots
Tie laces together heel-to-heel using a square knot, or run a short cord through the lace loops to create one secure unit. Linked boots don’t drift apart while you tighten straps.
Attach Low, Then High
Run the lower strap across the ankles and tighten until the pair can’t slide down. Then run an upper strap or cord through the lace bridge and snug it just enough to stop bounce. Check that toes point down and heels can’t hook branches.
Lock And Tidy
Lock carabiners, tuck tails, and give the load a shake. If you hear slaps, tighten one click. If you hear squeaks, add a soft spacer where plastic meets leather.
Rain, Brush, And Winter Tips
Rain Days
Water adds weight. On stormy days, drop boots into a small dry bag before lashing. Strap the bag with the roll facing down so water can’t pool near the opening. If your pack has a rain cover, check that the cover still reaches around the laced boots.
Brushy Trails
Keep the profile narrow. Place boots flat against the front panel or split them to both sides. Shorten lace loops so hooks don’t snag. Tape a thin strip over metal eyelets when walking in tight brush.
Snow And Ice
Cold stiffens straps. Pre-set strap lengths at home and mark buckles with a paint pen so you can match settings in gloves. Keep buckles free of packed snow; a quick knock with a trekking pole clears ice before it freezes solid.
Comfort, Fit, And Safety Checks
After attaching boots, lift the pack and walk a short loop. The load should feel centered with zero sway. If the pack leans, move one boot higher or shift the pair toward the midline. Give yourself room for arm swing and head tilt. Nothing should brush your hips with each step.
Fit still matters. Adjust hipbelt first, then shoulder straps, then load lifters. A dialed fit keeps outside loads quiet and helps you hike longer with less fatigue.
Quick Troubleshooting
| Issue | Fast Fix | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Sway On Descents | Shorten upper strap one notch | Reduces pendulum motion |
| Hip Rub | Raise the pair two inches | Clears arm swing and hips |
| Strap Creep | Add a half-twist before buckling | Creates friction in the webbing |
| Wet Boots | Use airflow or a low-heat boot dryer | Protects leather and glue |
| Mud Transfer | Bag each boot in a dry sack | Quarantines grit and grime |
| Snags In Brush | Point toes down; tape eyelets | Reduces hook points |
| Top-Heavy Feel | Lower the pair below shoulder line | Shifts mass toward your hips |
Care For Laces, Leather, And Soles After A Strap Carry
Once in camp, untie the pair and knock off grit with a soft brush. Pull insoles and let the boots air out. If soaked, use paper or a fan before any heat. Treat leather with a light conditioner when dry and re-tie laces so the next day starts smooth.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Letting Boots Dangle From One Clip
One high clip turns the pair into a pendulum that taps your back and throws off balance. Split the load or trap it with two straps.
Blocking The Bottle Pocket
Plan the side layout. If a boot covers your water pocket, swap sides or go to the front panel.
Hiding Mud Inside The Pack
Mud grinds into sleeping gear and clothing. Keep a small dry sack or trash bag for dirty items and lash the sack outside.
Template You Can Use On Any Pack
1) Link the boots heel-to-heel. 2) Pin the pair low with a strap. 3) Add a second strap across the laces. 4) Tidy tails. 5) Test with a short walk, then tweak one notch at a time. This works on framed packs, soft daypacks, and alpine packs.
Where This Advice Comes From
The methods here align with pack setup guides that point to tool loops, daisy chains, and compression straps for awkward items, and they recommend keeping outside loads slim to avoid snags and scrapes. See REI’s expert guide to packing and lash-on points. For low-impact hiking habits, read the concise overview of the Leave No Trace principles.
Final Checklist Before You Hike
- Boots linked as one unit and strapped at two points
- Toes down, heels clear of brush
- Strap tails secured and no rattles
- Pack fit checked: hipbelt, shoulder straps, load lifters
- Rain plan: dry bag or pack cover fits over the carry
- Mud plan: sacks ready for dirty gear
- Spare cord and two mini carabiners in a hipbelt pocket
Why This Method Helps You Hike Better
Clean, tight outside carry keeps the main bag free for food, water, and layers. It also saves time on trail breaks since boots hang where you can reach them fast. Master these simple steps once, and you’ll repeat them on every trip without thinking.
If you searched for “how to tie hiking boots to backpack,” the steps above are the direct path. Use them on day hikes, long approaches, and travel days when wet boots shouldn’t ride inside your pack.