How to Tie Work Boot Laces: Ensuring Maximum Comfort Was Never This Easy

If you want maximum comfort and safety at the workplace, read our guide on how to tie work boots. You will find 6 methods to choose from.
how-to-tie-work-boot-laces

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Do you work in a hazardous environment and are constantly worried about your shoelaces getting undone? Or, maybe you just don’t feel that “ankle support” when you tie your laces and have been searching for ways to fix that. Either way, you’ve stumbled upon the right article for your problems. Learning how to tie your work boots will ensure not only your safety but the safety of the people you work with. So keep on reading to avoid the slightest discomfort on your feet. 

Why Is It Important to Know How to Tie Your Work Boots?

why-is-it-important-to-know-how-to-tie-your-work-boots

Knowing how to tie your work boots is not something that should be taken lightly—not tying them correctly could, unfortunately, result in injury if you work in a hazardous environment. There are multiple techniques to tying your work boots because each work boot is different. Some might need more ankle or heel support than others, while some boots’ thick leathers might be inflexible and need a different fit. 

You know you’ve tied your work boots correctly if they feel snug but not too tight to restrict movement or cause irritation on your feet. 

6 Methods to Tie Your Work Boots

methods-to-tie-your-work-boots

Maybe you just need one technique that is secure and not hard to do, but we’ll do you one better: we’ve rounded up 6 methods to tie your work boots. All of these techniques are equally effective and quite easy to do (practice makes progress), and they all have their own unique benefits to help your feet be as comfortable as possible on a busy working day. 

Heel-lock lacing

The heel-lock lacing method gets its name from the part of your feet most supported by this method: your heels. This technique is recommended for boots worn in rugged and rougher terrains. It does not require eyelets or hooks, and it’s relatively easy provided you follow the next steps, so let’s begin.

Step 1: 

As mentioned before, you won’t need any extra eyelets except the two ones at the top. You start lacing where you normally would, from the bottom up, and when you reach the top, each lace has to go up vertically in its last eyelet. 

Step 2:

So now you have created a vertical line on both sides; the next step is to take each lace and put them under each other’s vertical line. But remember, there should not be a “criss-cross” pattern of the two eyelets. 

Step 3:

The next and final step is to take each lace and wrap them around your boot and then finish it off with a simple bowtie lace at the front. You’re good to go now knowing that your laces won’t be in your way while you’re working.

The advantages of using the heel lock lacing technique: 

  • It supports your ankles. 
  • It ensures maximum security in the workplace.
  • It is pretty simple and quick.
  • It is ideal for working, running, hiking, or hunting.
  • You can easily walk on dangerous terrain because this technique allows little movement inside your work boots.
  • It will keep your heels especially supported and snug.

2-1-3 lacing 

If you’re prone to “lace bite”, meaning your ankles get easily irritated when you tie your laces too tight, this technique might be for you. The 2-1-3 lacing method can be used with any type of boots, and it’s easy to get the hang of. So, without further ado let’s jump right into the steps.

Step 1:

Start with the normal lacing, from the bottom going up. However, the first stop will be at your ankles, more specifically at the three eyelets that surround your ankles. Stop at the bottom one and do a “criss-cross” with the eyelets but threading the laces through every eyelet in order.

Step 2:

First, thread your lace through the middle eyelet, then the bottom one, and then finally the third eyelet. The method is called 2-1-3 because you start from the middle one (the second) then the first eyelet and finally the third one. This technique is good for those who want their feet and ankles to feel comfortable and not too tight but also secure. 

The advantages of using the 2-1-3 lacing technique: 

  • It is recommended for people who stay on their feet for a long time.
  • It gives high performance, security, and comfort.
  • If you don’t like tight knots, this technique will not give you any “lace bites”.
  • Even if the laces are tight, you will not feel any pinching.
  • It’s a relatively easy method to practice on your work boots.

Army lacing 

army-lacing

The army lacing technique gets its name from the place where it is mostly used: the army. But that does not mean that this great method cannot be of benefit in other environments. So without giving too much away, let’s take you through the steps. 

Step 1:

Start lacing from the bottom to the top, from the inside to the outside. Then, thread your shoelaces up through the next couple of eyelets. After this, thread the laces in their opposite side of the eyelets, then again go vertically. 

Step 2:

Continue with that pattern until you reach the top, and then tie your laces like you normally would. If you want to know whether or not you got the technique right, check the outside and inside of the eyelets. If the outside eyelets have vertical lines of the laces and the inside of the boots have the crossover, you’ve done a good job!

 If you by any chance missed a step, not to worry, just start over and you’ll get the hang of it in no time. 

The advantages of using the army lacing technique: 

  • It creates an excellent fit.
  • It does not restrict the upper movement of the boot.
  • It is ideal for inflexible or rugged work boots.
  • It adds style to your boots.

Ladder lacing

The ladder lacing technique is known for offering maximum security and support to your feet. Military members use this method because of how secure it is and once you do it, you don’t have to go back and lace them again. There are two easy steps to follow in order to complete this lacing technique.

Step 1:

Start lacing from the bottom to the top, from the inside to the outside. Then, lace straight up and thread from the outside to the inside. Do not continue lacing upwards, instead, take your shoelace and thread it under the vertical line you just formed on the opposite end. 

Step 2:

After that, just continue lacing upward, and once you get to the top, tie your usual knot. With this method, you are forming a lock design to your boots that ensures maximum security. Plus, it looks very interesting. 

The advantages of using the ladder lacing technique: 

  • It is suitable for logger and tactical boots.
  • It ensures high performance and security.
  • It is ideal for people who are constantly moving.

Surgeon’s knot method

The surgeon’s knot method gets its name from the precision and security of a surgeon’s stitching technique. It is secure, easy to do every day once you get the hang of it, and it allows for free movement for people who are constantly on their feet. Here are the steps to complete this lacing technique.

Step 1:

This technique is for the final knot after you do the normal lacing from the bottom to the top; once you’re there, start with a normal right-over-left starting knot. Then, take one end of the lace and make it into a loop with the other end going around the loop until you reach the front of the loop again. Once you reach the front of the loop, thread it in but do not pull it tight just yet.

Step 2:

Do the same thing you did earlier by wrapping one end of the lace around the loop until it reaches the front of it again. Then once again, thread that end through the loop to make it extra secure. And, finally, pull the loops to tighten the laces. You’re done! It might seem intimidating, but it’s easy to do once you practice, and it’s not time-consuming at all.

The advantages of using the surgeon’s knot lacing technique: 

  • It laces your boots secure and comfortable.
  • It takes just slightly more time to do than your regular tying knot.
  • It doesn’t restrict any movement.

Lacing windows tying method

The lacing windows tying method is meant to relieve the pressure on the top of your foot. If you are more prone to pain on that particular area of the foot, no worries, this method will come to the rescue. It’s an extremely effective and easy technique, so we’ll just get right to it.

  1. Untie your laces down to the eyelets below the pressure point. 
  2. Start lacing them by threading them upward to the next eyelet and then crossing them over again.
  3. Finally, tie your knot like you normally do.

The advantages of using the windows lacing technique: 

  • It’s an easy and effective way to lace your work boots.
  • It helps alleviate the pressure or pain you may be feeling on the top of your foot.
  • It still secures your boots by not sacrificing your comfort.

Conclusion

After reading this article, we hope that you try at least one of these lacing methods. Remember, you need to feel comfortable and confident in your work boots for high performance. You don’t need the pain and inconvenience of blisters or sore feet after a long day of work. Comfort doesn’t only come from choosing the “right” boot, but from lacing them the best way for your feet. So do your feet a favor next time you put on your work boots and try one of these effective and easy lacing techniques.

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