8 Methods to Lace your Work Boots

When buying a new pair of work boots, it’s important to remember that they must be appropriately laced for safety reasons. It’s a tedious task, but it’s a necessary one. Unfortunately, many people often overlook the importance of this simple task and help prevent injuries. Aside from giving your boots a distinct appearance, different lacing techniques may also make your legs look comfier or offer more significant support. Proper technique will ensure that you have enough support for your feet while also providing stability.

On the other hand, not lacing work boots can lead to chronic foot pain, which can be extremely dangerous for people working in the dangerous job industry.  There is a wide range of materials and techniques that can be used for lacing work boots, which is why we provide the most commonly used ways to lace your work boots. So whether you’re interested in learning how to lace your work boots or want some essential information on how best to prepare them, this article will help guide you through the process.

What are the Benefits of Adequately Lacing your Work Boots?

After much deliberation, here are reasons why lacing your shoes may enhance the overall comfort and support of your life:

1. The Boots Remain Put on your Feet

The security of your work boots is one of the essential factors that you should keep in mind when buying new shoes.

Many people often wear their shoes loosely, which leads to them falling off their feet. If your foot can slide into the shoe, your foot may also slip out of the shoe. This might result in blisters, particularly on the heels. Even when you’re simply lounging around the house, untied laces put you in danger of tripping and twisted ankles.

2. Lessen Tendons Strain

Improper lacing techniques will cause a lot of pain, discomfort on your feet, and unwelcome motion, which causes your body to seek to stabilize and reduce the excess motion. The muscular activity necessary to provide stability might result in tendonitis due to misuse of these muscles. When this movement occurs, it can cause repetitive strain injuries in your legs, feet, and ankles.

3. Shoes last longer

The first reason you should learn how to lace your boots properly is to extend their life span. It is known that not lacing them can cause broken eyelets, which are otherwise known as aglets. At the same time, the straps will be subject to wear and tear and quickly become loose.

4. An excellent First Impression

This is a big no-no when it comes to the workplace. By lacing your boots properly, you’re making an excellent first impression. In addition, you would have a more professional look that will help to emphasize your unique style.

8 Methods to Lace your Work Boots

Before starting, choose a boot work lace to go with your boots. There is a good chance you have a pair of boots that reach at least as high as your ankles. Make sure the shoelaces you buy are long enough. There are several methods to lace boots; however, most people stick to the standard method. A new lacing type may improve the usefulness and look of your boots. If you want to give your boots a new life, try out the procedures listed below.

Method 1. Over-under

It’s an easy method to remember, so you can try it when lacing your boots. This method is perfect for repairing loose eyelets because it keeps the laces even. The method also reduces the pressure on your foot and ensures that you have proper support when walking or running.

• Step 1: Slip the laces through into the eyelets of the shoe while placing it over your foot. Raise the laces as high as you can while keeping both tips equal.
• Step 2: The laces should be crossed and threaded into the next eyelet from outside in.
• Step 3: The laces should be crossed and threaded into the next eyelet again, but from the outside in.
• Step 4: Continue to alternate in this manner until you reach the top.
• Step 5: At the top, tie the lace into a bow, or tie at the end and tie inwards.

Method 2. Criss-cross

It is considered the most convenient method for lacing work boots. It will allow you to get the laces rolled up over your toes, making it very comfortable when wearing them.

• Step 1: This one is the same as the over-under lacing. Begin by slipping your fingers beneath the two bottom eyelets and working your way outward. Again, keep an eye out for any unevenness in the tips.
• Step 2: One lace should be threaded over and up the eyelet, starting from beneath the eyelet and working your way out. Repeat the cycle with the other lace until you reach the top.\
• Step 3: Tie the laces into a bow or tie them into a double knot.

Method 3. Straight Bar

It’s more of a fashion statement than a practical method, but it is more complicated than the other two boot lacing procedures. The bar lacing method requires a more excellent deal of time and effort.

• Step 1: Beginning with the bottom eyelets, work your way in a straight line across them to the inside. Ensure that both lace tips should emerge from beneath the eyelets at this point.
• Step 2: Going up to the next eyelet and pulling it outwards with the right lace. Continue straight over to the left, from the outside in, through the eyelet on the other side.
• Step 3: Climb up and ignore the eyelet in the right lace that went through with the left lace, then draw it through the next loop inside out. Repeat with the right lace. Once you’ve passed through the eyelet, do a left-to-right pass from the outside in.
• It is recommended that both ends go straight inward, with each end bypassing one eyelet and emerging from two higher eyelets.
• Step 4: Rep steps 2 and 3 until completed.

Method 4. Army Method

Armed forces footwear isn’t recognized for their comfort, and wearing them may induce severe blisters that last for weeks. Armed forces use this method because it allows for a significant amount of slack in the boot leather. However, you do not have to be a member of the Army to enjoy the appearance of this lacing method. 

• Step 1: Thread the lace through the eyelet at the bottom, working from the inside out. If the number of eyelets is odd, perform the inverse. Next, hold both ends of the lace together to ensure that they are equal.
• Step 2: From inside to outside, thread one end of the lace through the next eyelet diagonally. Then repeat with the other end, using the criss-cross lacing method.
• Step 3: After you get the lace from the eyelet, thread it through the next eyelet, from the outside to the inside. Repeat a similar round.
• Step 4: Rep steps 2 and 3 until completed.

Method 5. The Ladder

This method looks wonderful on either combat boots or standard service boots, and it provides a rugged, solid appearance.

• Step 1: Start by threading the laces through the eyelet on the bottom and stretch them out as far as they go. Next, hold both ends of the lace together to ensure that they are equal.
• Step 2: Make a straight upwards movement with your right lace through the eyelet immediately above it, outside in. Leave it loose for the time being. Do the same with the left side.
• Step 3: Go straight over to the left with your right lace, beneath the left lace between the first two eyelets. Then, thread that same lace through the next hole upwards, outside in. Do the same with the right side.
• Step 4: Rep steps 2 and 3 until completed.

Method 6. Straight European

This method is often seen in boots worn by actors because it looks so fashionable. Although it seems to be a complex technique, it is relatively easy.

• Step 1: Stretch one lace out as far as it will go through the bottom eyelet.
• Step 2: Make a lace space on one side of your ankle, depending on how broad it is. From inside to outside, thread the eyelet nearest your ankle with the shorter end of the lace.
• Step 3: For the longer half, pass it through this circle, being careful to maintain the shorter end slightly above the cross you’re creating.
• Step 4: Continue with the long end of the lace, thread the lace through the shoe’s tongue until it reaches the next parallel loop,  and then thread it through one more.
• Step 5: Rep steps 3 and 4 but with the longer lace.
• Step 6: After reaching the last eyelet, the lace is already lodged within the boot’s inside. Thread the lace through the next eyelet from inside to outside.

Method 7. Paratrooper Ladder

Paratroopers often use this kind of lacing because it provides an added level of security.

• Step 1: Slip the laces through into the eyelets of the shoe while placing it over your foot. Raise the laces as high as you can while keeping both tips equal.
• Step 2: Laces should be pulled through the rear eyelets lengthwise, crossed over the shoe’s tongue, and tucked under two vertical eyelets.
• Step 3: Pull the lace lengthwise again, keeping the original order in which you started.
• Step 4: Continue to repeat steps 2 3 until the lace is back to the top.

Method 8. Italian Corkscrew

This is a terrific option if you have boots that are generally too tight to wear since this approach makes it simple to release the ankles.

• Step 1: Lace up the bottom eyelet so that the laces stay inside.
• Step 2: Using half of the short lace on the left, thread it through the eyelet on the top left of the hat.
• Step 3: Take haft of the more extended lace on the right and thread it through the bottom right eyelet, making sure that you keep the short end of the lace below the cross you made.
• Step 4: Use half of the long lace to thread it through the next parallel eyelet.
• Step 5: Rep steps 4 and 5 with half of the long lace until you’re nearly done.
• Step 6: Ensure that the lace is inside the boot at the final eyelet before threading it through the next transverse eyelet, which should be near the short lace.

Finally, from the inside out, thread the lace through the last longitudinal eyelet.

What is the most Effective Method of Lacing Boots?

You can’t find the ideal method to do, and there are many ways to lace your boots. There is a right and wrong way to lace, but there isn’t a single “ideal” way. The best thing you can do is read up on different ways and see which works for you. Don’t forget; there is no one best method or technique to get your shoes on quickly; it will depend on the type of shoes the individual wears and how they wear them. There are hundreds to thousands of various strategies that you may use to reach your goal, but these eight approaches are simple to follow and provide you with both safety and fashion. So which lacing style are you most interested in experimenting with?

FAQS

Which Method Should be Used for Combat Boots?

Combat boots are very different than traditional boots, so that these questions will be answered on a case-by-case basis. Generally speaking; however, the Army method and Paratrooper ladder techniques work best on combat boots.

Which Method is Used for Hiking Boots?

Hiking boots are often laced in different fashions according to the type of terrain they are designed for, but the last four methods still work well for hiking boots as well. The first two methods are most prevalent with hiking boots because of their design and purpose, but the last two methods still provide you with safety and fashion.

How often Should I Lace my Footwear?

There is no set rule for how often you should lace your footwear. The best thing to do is lace them before you wear them and then check to see if they need re-lacing after a few hours of wear. If you find they are too loose or too tight, adjust them and continue wearing them. Be sure to lace them if you buy a new pair of shoes and again if you haven’t worn a pair for a while.

What are Paracord Boot Laces?

The name “Paracord,” short for “Parachute cord,” introduced in 1935 by Wallace Hume Carothers for the Dupont company, is a versatile and functional cord. Not long after, it became widely known and popularized in the US military during World War II, becoming an indispensable item for soldiers and military equipment in the air. Thanks to its properties, Paracord boot laces are used to make the rope part of the parachute, which shows that when it comes to “Paracord rope,” it also means “Paracord.”

What are the most Durable Boot Laces available?

Paracord has been the most durable boot laces available up to this point in history.