The Boot Guide
Boot Laces & Lacing: The Complete Guide
How to lace boots properly, including boots with speed hooks, how to fix heel slip and pressure points, and how to choose the right boot lace for the job. It covers work boots, hiking boots, Docs and Blundstones.
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The short answer
What most lace-up boots need.
Shape
Round, usually 4–5 mm. It runs smoothly through eyelets and speed hooks.
Finish
Waxed for wet sites and leather boots. Standard round for everyday wear.
Length
Measure your old lace tip to tip, or count eyelet and hook pairs on one boot.
Lacing
Criss-cross to start. Add a heel lock if your heel lifts.
Know your boot: eyelets, hooks and D-rings
Boots use three kinds of lace hardware, often on the same boot. Each one is laced a little differently.
Eyelets
Closed holes, usually metal-lined, running up the lower and middle of the boot. The lace feeds through them, so they hold tension well and rarely let go.
Speed hooks
Open hooks around the ankle on work and hiking boots. The lace wraps around them, which makes the top quick to tighten and loosen. They need a round lace that won't slip off.
D-rings
Metal loops on hiking and outdoor boots. They let the lace slide easily, so tension spreads evenly across the foot.
How to lace boots (the standard method)
This criss-cross method suits almost every lace-up boot, including ones with speed hooks at the top.
1
Start straight across. Feed the lace straight across the bottom pair of eyelets from the outside in, then even up both ends.
2
Criss-cross through the eyelets. Cross the ends over the tongue and feed each one up through the next eyelet on the opposite side. Keep the tension even as you go.
3
Lock it below the hooks. At the last eyelet, wrap the laces around each other twice (a surgeon's knot). This holds the lower boot tight while you finish the ankle separately.
4
Wrap the speed hooks. Bring each lace to the next hook from the tongue side, pass it over the top and down behind so it seats in the hook. Cross over and repeat to the top.
5
Heel back, then tie. Stand up with your heel pushed to the back of the boot, snug the laces, and finish with a double knot.
Want more patterns? Our shoe lacing styles guide covers bar, ladder and decorative lacing, and how to tie shoelaces covers the knots.
Fix the fit: pick the lacing for your problem
Most boot discomfort can be fixed with lacing alone, without new boots.
| The problem | The fix | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Heel slips, blisters | Heel lock | Loops at the top eyelets cinch the ankle and hold the heel down. |
| Sore spot on top of foot | Window lacing | Skip the cross over the sore spot so no lace presses there. |
| Wide feet or high arch | Window lacing, looser midfoot | Gives the widest part of the foot room while the ankle stays firm. |
| Toes feel cramped | Skip the bottom eyelets | Starting one pair higher lets the toe box open up. |
| On and off all day | Over-under lacing | Less friction, so one tug loosens the whole boot. |
| Need max ankle support | Ladder lacing | Interlocked bars grip hard and don't loosen through the day. |
| Laces keep coming undone | Double knot + waxed laces | The wax coating grips itself, so knots hold far longer. |
Step-by-step instructions for each method are in How to Lace Work Boots. For knots that won't slip, see How to Stop Laces Coming Undone.
Choosing boot laces: shape and material
Match the lace to the boot's hardware and to where you wear it.
| Best for | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Work, hiking, Docs, most lace-ups | Strong under tension and feeds cleanly through eyelets and hooks. |
| Waxed | Wet sites, leather and dress boots | Sheds water and mud and holds a knot all day. |
| Flat | Fashion and casual boots | A wider, bolder look. Can bunch in narrow hooks. |
| Leather | Heritage, desert and dress boots | A premium finish that matches leather uppers. Wipe-clean only. |
Still deciding on a finish? Read Waxed vs Unwaxed Laces, or see our pick of the best work boot laces in Australia.
What length laces do boots need?
Boots need longer laces than shoes because they have more eyelets and hooks. Count the pairs on one boot and use this as a starting point.
| Eyelet + hook pairs | Typical boot | Lace length |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 pairs | Ankle and casual boots | 100–120 cm |
| 5–6 pairs | Casual, hiking or work boots | 120–140 cm |
| 6–7 pairs | Medium hiking or work boots | 140–160 cm |
| 7–8 pairs | Hiking or taller work boots | 160–180 cm |
| 8–10 pairs | Tall work and lace-up boots | 180–220 cm |
Measuring your old lace tip to tip is always the most accurate check. If you're between sizes, go longer for speed hooks, thick tongues or double knots. The full chart is in our Boot Lace Length Guide, or try the shoelace length calculator.
Guides by boot type
Jump to the guide written for your boots.
Tradies
Work boots
Five lacing methods for site work: heel lock, window, ladder and more.
How to lace work boots
Blundstone
Blundstone lace-ups
Length by eyelet count, round vs waxed, and how to re-lace them.
Blundstone lace guide
Dr. Martens
Docs by model
The right lace length for the 1461, 101, 1460 and 1490.
Dr. Martens length guide
Outdoors
Hiking boots
Tough round laces for hooks, D-rings and long days on the trail.
Shop hiking laces
Replacement laces by boot brand
Laces matched to the hardware and look of popular boots.
Caring for boot laces, and when to replace them
Boot laces take more punishment than any other lace. A little care adds months.
Keep them going
✓ Brush off mud once it's dry, before it grinds into the fibres.
✓ Wipe waxed and leather laces only. Never soak them.
✓ Air-dry wet laces away from heaters.
✓ Check where laces rub on metal hooks.
Time for a new pair
✓ Fraying or thinning at the hooks.
✓ Split tips that won't thread.
✓ Knots that won't hold any more.
✓ One lace snapped, so replace both for an even feel.
Full cleaning methods by material are in How to Clean Shoelaces.
Shop boot laces
Pick your lace, then choose your length and colour.
Full range
Boot laces
Every length, width and colour for work, hiking and everyday boots.
Shop boot laces
✓ Built for boots
Round and waxed laces that handle hooks and heavy tension.
✓ Every boot brand
Replacements for popular Australian work and outdoor boots.
✓ Australian owned
Packed in Sydney and shipped fast Australia-wide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you lace boots with hooks?
Criss-cross through the eyelets as normal. At each speed hook, bring the lace in from the tongue side, pass it over the top and down behind so it seats in the hook, then cross to the other side. A surgeon's knot at the last eyelet stops the lower boot loosening.
What is the best way to lace boots?
Standard criss-cross lacing suits most boots. Add a heel lock if your heel slips, window lacing for a sore spot or high arch, and ladder lacing for maximum ankle support. Our work boot lacing guide has step-by-steps for each.
Should boot laces be round or flat?
Round, for most boots. Round laces are stronger under tension and won't slip off speed hooks. Flat laces suit fashion and casual boots with wide eyelets.
How long should boot laces be?
It depends on the number of eyelet and hook pairs. Ankle boots with 4–5 pairs usually take 100–120 cm, and work or hiking boots with 7–8 pairs take 160–180 cm. Measuring your old lace is the most accurate. See the Boot Lace Length Guide.
How do I stop my heel slipping in boots?
Use a heel lock. Lace to the second-top eyelet, feed each lace straight up into the top eyelet on the same side to form a loop, cross each end through the opposite loop, and pull down firmly before tying.
How should I lace boots for wide feet?
Ease the tension across the widest part of your foot. Window lacing or skipping a cross through the midfoot gives room there, while the ankle stays firm. If your toes feel cramped, start lacing one eyelet pair higher.
Are waxed laces good for boots?
Yes, especially for work, outdoor and leather boots. Waxed laces shed water and mud, and the coating grips so knots and heel locks hold all day.
When should I replace boot laces?
When they fray or thin where they rub on hooks, the tips split, or knots stop holding. If one lace snaps, replace both so the boots tie evenly. Shop the boot laces range.