Lacing your boots not only enhances their functionality but also makes them look more unique, stylish, and fashionable. There are different methods of lacing your shoes that we will explain in this guide.
We will also tell you their benefits and drawbacks so you can choose them wisely according to your choice. Some methods may seem complicated to you and take more time, but once you do them correctly, they are the most effective out there and provide better support, comfort, and fit to your boots. So read on to find out how to lace work boots:
Below are the Four Methods about How to lace work boots:
- Standard Criss Cross \ Diagonal method
- Army Lacing Method
- Ladder Lacing method \ Straight across lacing
- Heel lock lacing method
We are going to explain above listed methods with their benefits and drawback. Hope you will find them helpful.
1. Standard Criss Cross \ Diagonal method
This method for lacing up your work boots is standard and never goes out of fashion. It enhances the functionality, makes your shoes look fashionable, and provides better support.
Benefits of Standard Criss cross method
Here is the complete guide for the criss-cross method of lacing boots.
- This standard lacing boot is very easy and quicker than the others.
- It provides a firm grip on your foot inside the shoes.
Drawback of the Crisscross method
There are not as many drawbacks to this method.
- It may put a fair amount of pressure on the high in-step.
Procedure to apply this method – Step-by-step
Step 1 – Select a boot lace
Most boots come with a pair of lace when you buy them. But if you want to buy a new one, then make sure to ask the sales clerk or measure the length of your old laces to determine the right length. Boots mostly go long, at least as your ankles, so always select the laces with the appropriate length.
The more the eyelets are on your boots, the longer lace you will need. On average, for 5-6 eyelets – laces of 45 inches, 6-7 eyelets – 54 inches, 7-8 eyelets – 63 inches, 8-9 eyelets – 72 inches, and above 9+ 96 inches long laces will be required.
Note: This mentioned average length can also be changed depending on your chosen method.
Step 2 – Start lacing of boots
Starting from the bottom, string the laces through the eyelets of the bottom. Pull the laces vertically as far as both tips of lace become even.
Note: Always string the laces through the eyelets, not on top for this criss-cross method.
Step 3 – Cross the one end of the lace diagonally
Now, insert the one end of the lace into the second eyelet diagonally. The lace will go through from the second eyelet up, outside to inside, and repeat the same for other lace tips.
Step 4 – Continue lacing
Insert the lace end into the next eyelet up, but this from inside to outside. To make the pattern uniform, always insert one side before the other side.
Note: if you cross the lace left over right on one boot, then go right over left on the other boot because it’ll give an asymmetric look, and also tightening will become easy.
Step 5 – Lace upto the top
Keep crossing the lace through the eyelets until it goes all the way up to the end eyelets of your boots. If you want some extra length of laces, you can leave the last pair of eyelets empty, and if they are long, you can wrap them around your boots or tuck them in before tying your knot.
As humans can learn things better after visualizing, here’s the link for YouTube that can help you learn criss cross lacing technique in a better way.
2. Army Lacing Method
This technique is very popular among the military for lacing boots. You can use this method for any logger boots, either of women or men, made from tough leather.
Benefits of Army lacing method
Besides the army, many people adopt this method for lacing their boots due to its benefits. Here are some of them.
- It gives a better fit and does not restrict the movement of the upper.
- It provides better functionality and makes boots more comfortable.
Drawbacks of Army Lacing method
The drawbacks for this lacing method are:
- This method can consume more time if you are lacing long boots.
- It can’t provide better support to the ankle as the ladder method does.
Procedure to apply this method – Step-by-step
Step 1 – Take your boot laces
Take the pair of laces that come with your boots, or you can buy a new pair of the same length by either measuring the old or asking the sales clerk.
Step 2 – Begin lacing your boots
Starting from the bottom, string the lace through the eyelets from inside to outside. Thread the lace upward similarly through the next eyelet without crossing them.
For the next pair of eyelets, go diagonal by crossing the opposite lace. Then again, through lace vertically from the next eyelets.
Note: Begin threading the lace from straight across the bottom eyelets from outside to inside if your boots have odd numbers of eyelets.
Start lacing through the bottom eyelets from inside to outside if your boots have even numbers of eyelets.
Step 3 – Repeat the diagonal and vertical method up to end
Continue threading the lace of your boots consistently in diagonal and vertical method until it reaches all the way up to the end. Keep the order the same to give a unique and uniform pattern.
Note: if you correctly follow the steps and method, all the verticals will be outside while the crossovers will be inside.
Step 4 – Tie your laces.
After you are done with lacing your boots, either tie them in a bow for a fashionable or tuck them inside your shoes for a neat look. If extra length is left behind, wrap the laces first around boots, then tie them.
The Army method is very similar to the criss-cross method, but instead of it, if we add a little variation, that’s going to change things up. The next method is a ladder lacing method which adds more uniqueness to the lacing of your boots.
3. Ladder Lacing method \ Straight across lacing
The ladder lacing method works very well for long boots with lots of eyelets. You can also apply this on smaller boots. Most paratroopers in the US love to use this technique.
Benefits of Ladder lacing method
Let’s look at some obvious benefits of the ladder lacing method.
- It allows the boots to break better and make the shoes fit more snugly to the ankle and foot.
- Once you tighten your laces, they will hold on their own if you plan on spending more time moving on your feet.
Drawbacks of Ladder lacing method
The drawbacks for this method are:
- You need to get high-quality laces to enjoy the comfort of this lacing technique.
- Sometimes it gets hard to tighten the laces when you are done with lacing your boots.
Procedure to apply this method – Step-by-step
Step 1 – Get a pair of laces
As we mentioned, this method works well for long boots with lots of eyelets, so make sure you get a pair of laces that are long enough. Sometimes, it is also known as the straight across lacing technique.
Step 2 – Pass laces straight across the bottom eyelets
Just like other methods, first, we need to pass the laces straight across the bottom eyelets in such a way that the tips of lace are on the outside. Push them vertically up to make them even.
Step 3 – Insert the lace vertically up
Now, insert both lace tips vertical up into the second pair of eyelets from running outside to inside. The lace should be inside your boots.
Step 4 – Cross laces over tounge
Now run the lace under the section of lace in such a way that it connects two eyelets vertically. Instead of diagonally crossing lace tips, run them horizontally in this step. Do this step for both ends of laces, and they should be on the outside of your boot.
Step 5 – Continue straight-up and thread lace vertical through the next eyelet
Now bring the lace-up from underneath to the eyelet directly above the below one. Insert the lace tip from outside to in. On both sides, run the lace first horizontally across and then under again. Keep your order the same for a clean look.
Step 6 – Continue lacing all the way upto the end
Continue lacing your boots all the way up until it reaches the end. For this method, the only time your lace goes through the eyelets is when you move lace vertically and from outside in.
Step 7 – Tie your boots
Once you are completed with your lacing of boots, tie your shoes in a bow or not. You can also stuff the laces behind the tongue for a clean look.
4. Heel lock lacing method
The heel lock method is called for a reason because it gives a tighter hold on your heels. This method won’t care whether your boots have eyelets or hooks. It is suitable for those who often get heel bristles when wearing work boots.
Benefits of Heel lock method
Here are some benefit points of this method for lacing your boots.
- It will give a more secure and tighter hold on the heels.
- This method provides more support to the ankle, especially when hiking or climbing than other methods.
Drawbacks of Heel lock method
There are not as many drawbacks of this method, but general ones are mentioned here.
- This method takes a bit more time for lacing boots because some find it complicated.
- You can lace them too tight, and ultimately they can cause circulation issues to your feet.
Procedure to apply this method – Step-by-step
Step 1 – Get a pair of laces
The heel lock method can be done with a pair of eyelets or hooks which clearly means they do not require long laces like in other ways. But make sure you get the right pair of laces.
Step 2 – Run lace in a crisscross and then straight method
Start lacing your boots in a typical criss-cross method until only the last two pairs of eyelets or hooks are left behind. Run each lace vertically up in such straight
The form that one goes above it. Now, thread each lace tip underneath the opposite lace just above the top laced eyelet.
Step 3 – Tie a knot
After pulling your laces tight, tie your shoes in a bow or not. It will give more rigidity to your outdoor working boots.
Watch below video for better understanding of heel lock method:
Conclusion
Always choose an appropriate method of lacing your boots, whether they are logger boots, tactical boots, or regular shoes. Choose a method that you find easy and provide more comfort to your foot, ankle, toes, and heels.
This article has mentioned the four simplest and most popular ways for how to lace work boots. Each technique is described with its own benefits and drawbacks. I hope you find any one of them a right pick for you
