Lacing guide

How to Lace Work Boots

The right lacing can be the difference between work boots that punish your feet by smoko and ones you forget you're wearing. Here are five simple ways to lace work boots, each fixing a specific problem, from a slipping heel to a sore spot across the top of your foot. Most take under a minute to redo.

Shop boot laces →
✓ 5 methods, 5 problems solved✓ No new boots needed✓ Australian owned & fast shipping
Not sure which to use? Start here
Pick the problem you want to fix.
Over-under
Getting boots on and off fast
Heel lock
Heel slips or you're getting blisters
Window
A sore spot or a high arch
Ladder
Maximum ankle support for heavy work
Straight bar
A clean, snag-free look

Before you start: 3 things that make any method work better

These small habits make every method below hold better and last longer.

1
Use a surgeon's knot to lock a section. Where you want the tension to stop and hold, usually just below the ankle, wrap the two laces around each other twice instead of once before you carry on lacing. The extra wrap grips and stops the lower part of the boot loosening.
2
Lace with your foot flat and your heel back. Push your heel into the back of the boot and stand up before you tighten. If you lace while the boot is slack or your foot has slid forward, it won't sit right, whatever pattern you use.
3
Look after the ends. Frayed tips won't feed through eyelets or speed hooks. A wrap of tape or a dab of clear nail polish on the tip keeps them threading cleanly. You can also replace a worn pair from the boot laces range.
1

Over-under lacing

Best for: easy on and off

With over-under lacing, the lace slides freely, so one good tug loosens the whole boot and you can step straight in. It suits tradies who pull boots on and off all day, and it takes some pressure off the top of your foot.

1
Thread the lace straight across the bottom two eyelets.
2
Cross the ends and feed them down through the next pair of eyelets (over the top).
3
On the next row, cross them again and feed them up from underneath.
4
Keep alternating over, then under, all the way to the top, then tie as normal.

The lace doesn't drag through every eyelet the same way, so there's much less friction. That's why it loosens and tightens so easily.

2

Heel lock

Best for: stopping heel slip & blisters

A heel lock cinches the top of the boot and pulls your heel back into place so it can't slide up and down. It's ideal on ladders, scaffolding and uneven ground, where a lifting heel rubs and causes blisters.

1
Lace up with a normal criss-cross until you reach the second-to-last pair of eyelets.
2
Don't cross over. Feed each lace straight up into the next eyelet on its own side. This leaves a small loop on each side.
3
Cross each lace end over and thread it through the loop on the opposite side.
4
Pull both ends down and outwards firmly. You'll feel the ankle tighten. Then tie your knot.

If your boots have speed hooks at the top, make the lock at the last two pairs of eyelets below the hooks, then carry on up the hooks as normal.

3

Window lacing

Best for: relieving a sore spot or high arch

Window lacing opens a gap right over the tender spot so no lace presses on it. It's perfect for a pressure point across the top of the foot, or a high instep that aches by the afternoon.

1
Lace with a normal criss-cross until you reach the eyelets just below the sore spot.
2
Feed each lace straight up to the next eyelet on the same side instead of crossing. This leaves a "window" with no lace across your foot.
3
Above the sore spot, go back to a normal criss-cross to the top.

Move the window up or down a row until it sits exactly over the spot that bothers you.

4

Ladder lacing

Best for: maximum ankle support

Ladder lacing is the most secure of the five. The laces lock around each other, so they grip hard and don't loosen during the day. It's made for tall boots, heavy lifting and rough terrain. The trade-off is that it's slower to undo, and it uses more lace, so allow a little extra length.

1
Thread the lace straight across the bottom pair of eyelets, feeding both ends in from the top.
2
Bring each end straight up and out through the next eyelet on the same side.
3
Take each end straight across to the opposite side, tuck it under the lace on that side, then feed it in through the next eyelet up.
4
Repeat (straight up, then across and under) to the top. The rungs form a ladder pattern. Tie off.
5

Straight bar lacing

Best for: a clean, snag-free look

Straight bar lacing gives a tidy, presentable boot. Only straight bars show on the outside, so the laces lie flat and are less likely to catch on rungs or gear.

1
Thread the lace straight across the bottom pair of eyelets, feeding both ends in.
2
Take one end up the inside and out through the next eyelet on the same side. Then run it straight across and in through the eyelet opposite.
3
Take the other end up the inside, skipping one eyelet, and out. Then run it straight across and in.
4
From here, each end skips one eyelet every time it goes up, until every visible section is a neat horizontal bar.

It works best on boots with an even number of eyelet pairs, so both ends finish level at the top.

The right laces make every method easier

Worn, frayed or too-short laces undo good lacing. Here's what to fit.

Everyday pick
Round laces
The standard for work boots. They're strong, thread easily through eyelets and speed hooks, and take heavy tension without flattening.
Shop round laces
Firm grip
Waxed laces
The waxed finish resists light moisture and grips itself, so knots and heel locks hold firm. A smart choice for leather work boots.
Shop waxed laces
Full range
Boot laces
Need a replacement pair or a longer length for ladder lacing or a heel lock? Browse lengths and finishes for work, hiking and leather boots.
Browse boot laces
✓ Built for work
Round and waxed laces that stand up to the jobsite.
✓ Every length
From ankle boots to tall lace-ups, plus custom lengths.
✓ Australian owned
Shipped from Sydney with fast domestic delivery.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best way to lace work boots?
There's no single best method. It depends on the problem you're solving. Over-under lacing is best for getting boots on and off quickly. A heel lock stops heel slip and blisters. Window lacing relieves a sore spot or high arch. Ladder lacing gives the most ankle support, and straight bar lacing gives a clean, snag-free finish.
How do I stop my work boot laces coming undone?
Three things help. Finish with a double knot. Add a heel lock so the top of the boot stays under even tension. Use waxed laces, whose grippy finish holds a knot better than soft, smooth laces.
Should work boot laces be round or flat?
Round laces are the usual pick for work boots. They're stronger under tension and thread smoothly through eyelets and speed hooks, where wide flat laces can bunch or wear. For more help choosing, see our best work boot laces guide.
What length laces do I need for my work boots?
The most accurate way is to measure your old lace from tip to tip. If it's missing, count the eyelet and hook pairs on one boot. As a guide, 5–6 pairs suits 120–140cm, 6–7 pairs 140–160cm, 7–8 pairs 160–180cm and 8–9 pairs 180–200cm. Go longer for speed hooks, a heel lock or ladder lacing. The full chart is in our boot lace length guide.
Not sure what length to buy? Count your eyelets and find the right size in under a minute.
Boot lace length guide →
Boot guide
Everything about boots in one place
Lacing with speed hooks, fixing heel slip, and picking the right lace and length.
The complete boot guide →

Loading...
Loading...