How to Lace Boots: 6 Lacing Techniques for a Better Fit

The right lacing fixes most boot fit problems. Use a heel lock if your heel lifts, window lacing if the boot presses on top of your foot, and a surgeon’s knot to hold different tension above and below the ankle. Standard criss-cross lacing is fine when the boot already fits well.

Pick the technique for your problem

1. Criss-cross lacing (the standard)

1. Thread the lace straight across the bottom eyelets, with both ends coming up through them and equal in length.
2. Cross the ends and feed each up through the next eyelet on the opposite side.
3. Repeat to the top. On speed hooks, wrap each lace up and over the hook.
4. Tie a balanced bow.

2. Surgeon’s knot (locks tension in place)

A surgeon’s knot stops tension from migrating, so you can have the foot snug and the ankle looser, or the reverse.

1. Lace normally to the point where you want to lock the tension, usually where the foot meets the ankle.
2. Cross the laces and wrap one around the other twice instead of once.
3. Pull tight. The double wrap grips and holds.
4. Continue lacing above it at whatever tension you prefer.

3. Heel lock (stops heel slip)

1. Lace to the second-from-top eyelet or hook.
2. Take each lace straight up to the top eyelet on the same side, forming a small vertical loop on each side.
3. Cross the laces and thread each end through the loop on the opposite side.
4. Pull down and back to seat your heel, then tie.

Related: How to Clean White Leather Shoes and Keep Them White

4. Window lacing (relieves pressure on top of the foot)

1. Find the eyelets on either side of the sore spot.
2. Lace normally up to just below it.
3. Instead of crossing, run each lace straight up to the next eyelet on the same side, leaving an open “window” over the pressure point.
4. Resume criss-cross lacing above it.

5. Toe-relief lacing

If the toe box feels tight, unlace the boot completely and skip the first pair of eyelets when you re-lace. This lets the forefoot of the boot open slightly. It is a short-term fix; cramped toes usually mean the boots are too small. See how boots should fit.

6. Straight bar and army lacing

Straight bar lacing shows neat horizontal bars and suits dress boots. Army lacing runs the crossovers on the inside and vertical sections on the outside, which lets stiff leather flex more easily at the ankle. Both are slower to tighten than criss-cross lacing.

How tight should boots be laced?

• Over the foot: snug, so the foot does not slide forward, but with no tingling or numbness.
• At the ankle bend: firm. This is where a surgeon’s knot or heel lock does the most good.
• Up the shaft: looser for walking uphill and everyday wear; firmer for descents and uneven ground.

Feet swell during a long day, so re-tie after an hour or two instead of over-tightening at the start.

Choosing boot laces

• Length: roughly 120 cm (47 inches) for 6-inch boots with 6 to 7 pairs of eyelets, and 180 cm (72 inches) for 8-inch boots. Measure the old laces if you can.
• Material: round braided nylon or polyester laces are durable and hold knots; waxed cotton suits dress boots; leather laces suit moccasin-style and heritage boots but stretch when wet.
• Replace laces that are frayed at the eyelets before they snap.

New leather boots also loosen as they soften. See how to break in new shoes.

Frequently asked questions