Boat Shoe Lacing: The Ultimate Guide To Tying Your Laces

Boat shoes are notoriously difficult to tie, especially if they are made of leather. Leather laces will come loose from normal knots very easily, so you need to learn some more complicated knots. The most common knot to use on boat shoes is the barrel knot, also known as a sailor's knot or the Heaving Line Knot. This creates decorative coils instead of knots. To tie a barrel knot, fold the lace to form a loop, twist the loop, wrap the tail of the lace around the loop several times, thread the end of the lace through the loop, and pull the end of the lace while pushing the knot to tighten. Other types of boat shoe knots include the chain knot, the tassel knot, the fishtail knot, the surgeon's knot, and the Boat Shoe Knot.

How to tie a Barrel Knot

The Barrel Knot, also known as the "Barrel Lace" or the "Heaving Knot", is a classic boat shoe knot. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a Barrel Knot:

• Start by folding the lace over itself to create a loop.
• Twist the loop.
• Wrap the remaining lace around the loop. It is recommended to wrap it around 5 times.
• Thread the end of the lace through the end of the loop.
• Pull the end of the lace while pushing the knot to tighten it.
• Trim any excess lace.

The Barrel Knot is a decorative way to consume the excess lace, and it gives your boat shoes a unique look. It is a simple and quick knot to tie, and it will keep your boat shoes securely on your feet.

How to tie a Tassel Knot

To tie a Tassel Knot, follow these steps:

First, cross the laces to create an "X" by placing the left lace on top of the right, then pulling the left lace under the right.

Next, tie a square knot. Take the left lace in your left hand and the right lace in your right hand, ensuring the right lace is on top of the left lace. Bring the right lace under the left lace, then pull it back over. Repeat with the left lace, bringing it under the right, then pulling it back over. Tighten the knot by pulling evenly on each lace.

Now, form a loop with the left lace. Fold the lace over itself to create a loop at the base of the square knot, holding about an inch of the base of the loop between the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand.

With your dominant hand, grab the tail of the lace and wrap it tightly around the loop 2-3 times. Thread the end of the lace through the loop and pull tightly.

Repeat the process on the right lace, creating a matching tassel. Trim the ends if needed.

Repeat the whole process on the other shoe, and you're done!

How to tie a Chain Knot

To tie a chain knot, start by uncrossing your laces. Then, follow these steps:

• Make a 0.5-inch loop in the middle of your left lace. Hold the base of the loop with your left hand.
• With your right hand, create a second 0.5-inch loop above the first loop. Push the base of the second loop halfway through the first loop.
• Pull the lace tight and move the knot towards the eyelet. Insert the thumb of your left hand into the second loop. Grab the tail with your right hand. Pull the loop and tail in opposite directions. Push the knot towards the eyelet.
• Create a third loop with your right hand and bring it under and through the second loop.
• Thread the end of the lace through the third loop and pull tight to create a link in the chain.
• Evenly space the links by hand.
• Repeat the process with the right lace, trying to make the chains as even as possible.
• Pull the left chain horizontally to the right. Lift the right flap and tuck the left lace's end into the shoe. Position the right chain above the left chain. Pull the right chain horizontally to the left. Lift the left flap and tuck the end of the right lace into the shoe.

The chain boat shoe knot is inspired by a sailing knot of the same name, used to decorate or shorten a rope. To untie this knot, simply tug hard on each of the ends of the chain knots.

How to tie a Surgeon's Knot

There are many ways to tie boat shoes, including the Barrel Knot, Chain Knot, Fishtail Knot, and Tassel Knot. However, the Surgeon's Knot is a secure shoelace knot that can be used for boat shoes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a Surgeon's Knot:

• Begin with a regular left-over-right starting knot.
• Make a "loop" by folding the right (blue) end of the shoelace back onto itself.
• Take the left (yellow) end and pass it behind the right loop, going from left to right.
• Continue wrapping the left (yellow) end around the right loop until it ends up in front.
• Push the left (yellow) end into the "hole" created in the middle of the loop.
• Pull the left (yellow) end through the "hole" to create a new "loop" on the right side.
• Wrap the right (blue) loop around the left (yellow) loop again, so it ends up in front for the second time.
• Feed the right (blue) loop back through the "hole" for the second time.
• Pull the loops tight to secure the knot.

The Surgeon's Knot, also known as the Tibetan Trekking Knot or Sherpa Knot, is a secure knot due to the double wrap around the middle, compared to the single wrap of simpler shoelace knots. It is important to note that the result may look different depending on how the laces rearrange during tightening.

How to tie a Fishtail Knot

To tie a fishtail knot on your boat shoes, start by threading the shoelace in a parallel line. The lace should be on top, which means that it must be visible. Make an X pattern by crossing the laces and pulling it down towards the tip of the boat shoe. Insert the left lace on the right line. Pull until it is tight. Repeat on the other lace. Do this up to three times. Tuck the end of the laces in the shoe to secure the fit.

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