Whether you are just getting your first pair of work boots or you’ve been in the business for a long time, it’s important to know how to tie your work boots properly so you don’t cause hazards to yourself or others at work.
For instance, too tight lacing can cause you unwanted painful foot blisters which can be severe and take several days to heal up. If you’re wearing a cheap work boot that’s void of breathable mesh lining then it can also cause your feet to sweat more and cause them to smell pretty badly.
Wearing extra-long laces can cause you to trip and fall if the excess ends are not properly tucked-in or taken care of, thereby making you a danger to yourself and others at work.
In this article, we are going to be exploring a couple of cool methods you can use to lace your work boots properly.
The Over-Under Lacing Style
This boot lacing style helps to tightly secure your feet in your work boot. This is highly necessary if your working environment has you walking on rocky, unstable surfaces. It allows your boot to hug your foot properly so that there won’t be that wiggle room in between.
STEPS
- Start from the two lowest holes and start insertion from the outside. Inserting from the outside means you will thread from the top instead of underneath.
- Cross the laces, switch to the next two holes, and start threading from underneath. Make sure to tug the laces, time after time, after threading, to achieve the needed tightness.
- Repeat the process until you’re done and finish up with a bow.
The Heel Lock Lacing Style for Logger Boots
If you’re a fan of logger boots then this might just be what you need, and most especially if you work outdoors in a rugged environment. Whether your boots come with holes or hooks, it doesn’t matter because works to provide a tighter hug to your heels. This is why it is called the heel lock.
This lacing style is a favorite of those who go on hiking, especially. This is because they need their foothold to be as secured as possible to avoid slips and falls. It supports the ankle more than any other lacing technique and prevents any ankle injuries.
The downside to this lacing style is that it could obstruct proper blood flow or circulation to the feet if tied too tightly. It could also take a bit more time to pull off than the regular standard lacing style.
*** The heel lock pattern involves just the last two top holes
STEPS
- Lace your work boots from the bottom up like you usually do until you get to the top two
- Thread the left lace through the top left hole to make the lace come out on the inside of the boot. Repeat on the right side of your boot, threading the right lace through the top right hole. Now you should have one loop on each side of your work boots.
- Cross the laces and thread them right through the loops on the opposite side of your work boot. This means the left lace gets inserted through right loops and the right lace gets inserted through left loops.
- Tug your laces to tighten your boot around your feet and create the heel lock.
Lightning Lacing Style
This style gets its tag from the signature slash that runs diagonally from top to bottom, crossing both sides. This makes it look like a lightning bolt. It is also lightning fast to pull off. You thread the laces diagonally on the outside and vertically on the inside.
STEPS
- Start straight across on the inside, then go outside via the bottom hole
- The left end of the lace should run diagonally from the lowest hole up to join the two opposing corners, and then go in via the topmost hole on the opposing side; from lowest left end to topmost right end.
- Make the right end of the thread go up diagonally, crossing the outside and then thread-in via the next hole right on top of it, then thread up on the inside and go out via the next hole on top.
- Make the opposing end – left end – go diagonally down and across on the outside, then thread-in via the next hole right under it. Next, you thread right up from the inside and go out via the next hole on top of it.
- Repeat the process, going up and across or going down and across – alternately, until you’re done lacing.
Military Style Lacing
This lacing style works well if you have a Work Boot with stiff leather and restricts motion. It’s preferred by the military because it allows the foot to move freely while the tough leather offers your foot the needed support.
It also takes very little time to get done.
STEPS
- Thread your lace in via the two lowest holes. Ensure the number of lacings is equal on both sides.
- Go in via the next two holes – vertically, instead of across.
- Cross both lace ends and threads them via the third set of holes. Tug the laces to tighten to ensure the boot fit well enough.
- Run the laces via the fourth set of holes, vertically.
- Repeat pattern and finish up with a standard bow. If there is extra lacing hanging loose, then double the bow and tuck them in properly.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. Four cool lacing techniques for you to try out and explore. Each of these four lacing styles offers something different and unique. They also work for all kinds of work boots and even regular shoes. They are unisex too.
We hope this article has been helpful to you in showing you how to tie work boots properly to get the needed foot support and safety while carrying out your daily activities at work.