Running Shoe Tongue Explained

In brief: The tongue is the strip of material under the laces on top of the foot. It cushions lace pressure and helps keep debris out of the shoe.

What is the tongue?

The tongue is the padded or thin strip of material that sits on top of your foot, beneath the laces. It runs from the toe box area up to the ankle opening. Its main jobs are to spread the pressure of the laces and to stop dirt and grit dropping into the shoe.

What it does

Without a tongue, the laces would press straight onto the top of your foot. The tongue cushions that pressure and lets you tighten the laces firmly without discomfort. It also closes the gap at the top of the shoe. A tongue that slides to one side can cause lace bite, which is why many shoes anchor the tongue in place.

Types and variations

Traditional tongues are separate, padded flaps. Gusseted tongues are stitched to the sides so they cannot slide and they keep debris out better. Bootie-construction shoes merge the tongue into a stretchy inner sleeve. Racing shoes use thin tongues to save weight; trainers use more padding for comfort.

What to look for

The tongue should pad the laces without bunching. If you get pressure on top of your foot, look for more tongue padding or a lacing technique that skips the sore spot. If your tongue slides, a gusseted or bootie design solves it.

The tongue and your running kit at OD's

Tongue design quietly affects comfort more than most runners expect. We can help you find a shoe whose lacing and tongue suit your foot, with next-day delivery and free click and collect.