Knowing how to lace military boots is a critical technique. It seems simple, but it requires a certain amount of knowledge. Many people lace military boots under random or conventional methods because of speed.
Table of Contents
Necessary Materials
- Stiff and durable boot laces
- A pair of military boots
How to Lace Military Boots Quickly?

First, thread the bootlace through the bottom hole in the direction from the outside. Align the sides of the bootlace of equal length.
Do not cross. Continue to put the bootlace through the hole right above and pull it out.
Continue to insert the bootlace from the outside. Note that insert the bootlace directly over the shoe to thread the opposite eyelet.
Find the second hole from the bottom up and check if the left end of the bootlace has passed through. You do not thread the right end into this row. Continue to insert the bootlace into the third hole from the bottom up.
Check if the bootlace is alternating in the hole rows. If the two do not thread straight out from side-by-side holes, start over. When you are done with this step, continue to circulate the bootlace until the hole is gone. Remember, the bootlace must be horizontally on the outside when finished.
Some Other Methods to Lace Military Boots Easily
Method 1: Diagonal Lacing
Diagonal Lacing is one of the favorite methods for people who know how to lace military boots. This method has many different names, but they all have a unique approach. It is for those who love diagonal lines and neatness. You will not have to make any diagonal lines when threading bootlace from hole to hole.

Another advantage of this method is that it minimizes the pressure your feet are under. However, there is a point you should note before proceeding is counting the number of holes on military boots to see if the number is even.
Necessary Materials
- Sufficiently long and sturdy bootlaces
- Military boots have an even number of holes
The Process
- Use the most durable boot laces. First of all, find yourself a lanyard with a length that matches the height of the military boots.
To determine the most accurate length, you should consider a few factors such as the holes’ number, the distance between them, the applying method. In particular, the foot size has a significant influence on the length of the bootlace.
- Usually, military boots have six pairs of holes that will fit the 45-inch long bootlace. Next, you should use a 54-inch bootlace for the boots with seven pairs of holes. Keep increasing the length, so you should use multiple pairs of boots.
- Lacing the military boots with the cross method. Find the first hole of the boot and thread the bootlace through the holes one by one.
The bottom part is your starting point. Before inserting the bootlace into the following holes, pull it straight up to see if it is even. If the bootlace is inside the ring, remove it and start again.
- Knit the bootlace over the military boot tongue. After aligning the bootlace’s equal length, take the next step by knitting the bootlace head to the second piercing.
The action should be quick and repeated regularly. There is one caveat when performing the conventional method of criss-cross. It would help if you pierced the bootlace through the holes below, not the top.
- Lace regularly. Keep the bootlace neat and beautiful before you knit to the boat’s bottom hole, do not leave any holes underneath. Continue diagonal bootlace from left to right if you start so from the first hole and vice versa.
The most important thing is that you get the asymmetrical look for the bootlace. It not only helps your military boots look neat, but you can also tie the bootlace quickly.
- Pay attention to the military boots’ top. As you thread the top of your boots, check to see if your feet feel a bit tight. Comfort is always a top priority.
If your feet cannot move quickly, skip the piercing on the top. After inserting the bootlace into the holes, tie it and hide it inside the boot. So you are done!
Method 2: Bow-tie Lacing
If you do not want to use a long bootlace, you should consider this method. It is called Bow-tie Lacing because the shape after the bootlace is finished looks like a slight bow. These bows are made up of four parallel holes. You need to knit the bootlace diagonally through the two middle holes and thread it horizontally through the outer two holes.

Necessary Materials
- Sturdy bootlaces
- Military boots
The Process
- Find the bottom hole and always bootlace horizontally. Note, you should start from the outside with even-hole boots and thread through the bottom hole.
- Then, thread two sides of the bootlace into the holes at the bottom.
- Keep threads horizontally on most of the bottom rings.
- Grab the bootlace’s ends and cross them. Slowly pass them through the hole directly across the original diagonal.
- Please, pick up the bootlace from under the boot skin and continue to slide it aside.
- Do from steps 2 to 4 again with the remaining holes until the last hole.
- Force the bootlace as usual to fix the boot.
Method 3: Ladder Lacing
Defensive and military units favor this lace military boots method for its high stability. Compared to the two methods above, ladder lacing offers excellent support.
However, you will need a long, durable bootlace to ensure flexibility for multi-hole military boots.
Necessary Materials
- Long and flexible bootlaces
- Military boots
The Process
- The first step is the same as the Diagonal Lacing method. Find the bootlace’s bottom hole and thread the bootlace from the inside and point its end outwards.
- Straighten the bootlace’s ends onto the hole at the top and start from the outside. Check that the ends are straight horizontally and cross them.
- Align the position between the first hole and the second hole. Pass the lace head over under the previous lace section until the second hole is over.
- Apply the same as the second step and bring the bootlace to the hole above.
- Follow the steps above until the last hole and tie the bootlace again.
Method 4: Army Standard Lacing
Army Standard Lacing is also one of the methods of tying boots that most armies apply. Usually, the materials used to make military boots are tough, thick, and robust to ensure the soldier’s safety. However, they can also be a minus as hard materials will make it impossible for some people to walk comfortably. New and unused boots are even stiffer.

So the Army Standard Lacing method is the right solution to handle this problem. It will enhance the versatility of the boot operator by loosening the skin on either side of each boot. Also, to know how to lace military boots, you can refer to this method’s tutorial video from V12footwear.
Necessary Materials
- Long bootlaces
- Military boots
The Process
- Count whether your military boots have an even or odd number of holes. Route the bootlace in the bottom hole from inside with the boot with an even number of holes.
On the contrary, insert bootlace from the outside with boots with an odd number of holes. After completing the first step, check that the sides of the bootlace are equally long.
- Cross the sides of the bootlace and thread the boot’s tongue into the next hole. Do the same for the other side of the lace. If your thread is lying straight above the eyelet at the bottom like a cross, then you are on the right track.
- Pull the bootlace out of the hole. Thread it into the upper hole in the direction from the outside.
- Do the same for the rest of the bootlace. Repeat each step until the top hole and tie the bootlace again.
Quick fact
- Mastering the Bow Lacing technique will help you get through this method quickly.
- There is a slight difference between Bow-tie Lacing and Army Standard Lacing. It is the vertical part on the outside and the part that intersects the inside.
- Army Standard Lacing is like the reverse version of Bow-tie Lacing.
- Just reversing the Bow-tie Lacing’s rule
Method 5: Italian Lacing Style
Italian Lacing Style is a relatively simple method of lacing military boots. It would be best to make the bootlace look like the parallel and diagonal bars on the boot. This method only requires you to process one end of the bootlace. Although it is not too difficult to do, it may take a bit of time to adjust the length to fit.

Italian Lacing Style is an excellent choice for those who often have trouble getting their feet on combat boots. It will loosen your ankle so you can put on your boots faster.
Necessary Materials
- Sturdy and long bootlaces
- A pair of military boots
The Process
- First, find the bottom hole and insert the bootlace string from the outside. Your bootlace will be facing the inside of the boot.
- Next, align your bootlace so that it is only about 7 inches long. You can make it shorter or longer depending on the length of the bootlace. Then, thread the remaining short portion of the bootlace into the top hole on the same side in the inner-out direction.
- Take the bootlace’s longer part and thread it through the next hole horizontally. Check that the short string is on the bottom of the cross you just created.
- Return to the long end of the bootlace. Thread it through the next hole so it is parallel to the hole you just threaded.
- Repeat steps four and five. Ignore the short part of the bootlace. Use only the long end. Continue making up to your ankles.
- Always do from the outside when you reach the last hole on the side of the ankle. Fix the short part of the bootlace and thread the length into the next horizontal hole. Remember to do it from the inside out.
Why should know how to lace military boots properly?
The method of tying the bootlaces will affect the appearance of the boots. Some say that they often do not pay too much attention to this. However, you should try a few new methods to improve the aesthetics and stability of wearing military boots.
So why learn how to lace military boots like a professional? The most significant advantage is the benefits it will bring you. When you tie the bootlace properly, it will make your boots more flexible and comfortable. In particular, it avoids damaging your ankles and ankles.

If you have tiny feet, avoid using all the holes. You can skip the hole near your toes so that the boots are not too tight on the leg and start with the hole on the ankle side. It will loosen the foot area for more room.
Those with a high arch give extra room to keep the tip of the foot from restraining. There are many methods of wearing military boots to loosen gaps that you should consider.
Moreover, you can learn from practice to better understand the importance of the appropriate bootlace method. Indeed, you will feel uncomfortable if you wear too tight military boots. It not only limits your activities but also makes your feet more pressing.
FAQs
Which military boot lace method is the simplest?
There are many military boots people use today. Cross-type Lacing is the easiest way to do it. However, each has its advantages. You can try “Ladder Lacing.” This method will ensure absolute safety and support for the foot. There is no more accurate than the complete. Another important thing is that it depends on your requirements.
How do soldiers often lace military boots?
Most soldiers will choose “Army Standard Lacing.” It is the flexibility enhancement method for demanding skin. Military boots are often made of sustainable materials, so many people will initially not be familiar with them. This method will be suitable for a breakout phase to get more familiar with military boots. However, the infantry paratroopers will use a different approach to minimize the impact on the ankle.
Are there any other methods of lacing military boots?
Aside from the popular methods above, there are a few other things you should do as well, such as the four key-point technique, the wire trapezoid, or the high arc.
The Verdict
Knowing how to lace military boots is essential to ensure flexibility in your boots. When you know to lace your boots properly and fix them, you reduce the difficulty of task execution. Your feet no longer feel uncomfortable and pressing when wearing military boots.
Hopefully, this article gives you information about military boot lacing methods that you can apply easily.