Keep Your Boat Shoe Laces Securely Tied

Boat shoes are notoriously difficult to tie, especially those with leather laces, such as Sperrys. This is because leather laces easily come loose from normal knots. To keep your boat shoe laces tied, you can use two types of knots: a Reef knot and a Barrel Tassel knot. Alternatively, you can create waxy laces by coating them with lip balm, which creates friction and keeps laces from budging.

Use a Reef knot and a Barrel Tassel knot

To keep your boat shoe laces tied, you can use a combination of two knots: a Reef knot and a Barrel Tassel knot. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

The Reef Knot:

The reef knot, also known as a square knot, is a simple and secure way to tie your boat shoe laces. Here are the steps to create a reef knot:

• Cross the left shoelace over the right shoelace.
• Take the left lace and go under the right lace, creating an "X" shape.
• Pull the laces in opposite directions to tighten the knot.

The Barrel Tassel Knot:

The barrel tassel knot, also known as the barrel lace or heaving knot, is a classic boat shoe knot that adds a stylish touch to your footwear. Here's how to create it:

• Fold the shoelace 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 tightly while pushing the knot towards the shoe to secure it in place.
• Trim any excess lace if needed.

By combining these two knots, you can securely tie your boat shoe laces and prevent them from coming untied. The reef knot provides a strong foundation, while the barrel tassel knot adds a decorative and functional finishing touch. With practice, you'll be able to tie your boat shoes with ease and confidence.

Try a Surgeon's knot

If you're tired of your boat shoe laces coming undone, the surgeon's knot (also known as the Tibetan Trekking Knot or Sherpa Knot) is a great option to keep them tied. It's a very neat and secure knot, and it's quite easy to do. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to tie a surgeon's knot:

• Begin with a regular left-over-right starting knot. This is a standard shoelace knot, where you cross the left lace over the right and then pull it towards your foot.
• Make a loop: Take the right end of the lace and simply double it back onto itself to create a loop.
• Pass the left end through: Take the left lace and pass it around the right loop from behind. Continue bringing the left lace around to end up in front.
• Form another loop: Push the left lace into the "hole" created by the right loop. This will create a loop on the right side.
• Don't pull it tight yet! Unlike a standard shoelace knot, you don't pull it tight at this stage.
• Wrap the loop again: Take the right loop and wrap it around the left loop for the second time, bringing it back to the front.
• Feed the loop back through: This is the secret to making this knot secure. Feed the right loop back through the "hole" for the second time.
• Tighten the knot: Now you can pull on the loops to tighten the knot. The mess of lace will rearrange itself into a neat and secure knot.

The surgeon's knot is a great option for boat shoes, especially if you have leather laces, which can easily come loose from normal knots. It might take a little practice, but it's a very useful knot to know, and it will keep your boat shoes securely tied.

Learn sailing knots

Keeping your boat shoe laces tied can be a challenge, especially if they are made of leather, as is common with high-quality boat shoes. Leather laces will easily come loose from normal knots. However, if you're familiar with sailing knots, you'll have an advantage when it comes to keeping your boat shoes securely tied.

The Reef Knot and Barrel Tassel Knot Combination:

This method involves using two types of knots. First, tie a Reef knot, then use a Barrel Tassel knot for the leftover portion of the lace. Alternatively, you can just do a Barrel Tassel knot and use your shoes like slip-ons.

The Surgeon's Knot:

The Surgeon's knot is a lacing method that can be secured with a surprising household item—lip balm. By coating your laces with lip balm at the site of the knot, you create friction that keeps the laces from budging. Here's how to do it:

• Begin lacing by folding the left lace over and through the right, pulling it toward your foot.
• For extra hold, especially with round laces that easily come undone, coat the starting lace with lip balm.
• Create a loop and pull the lace through, but don't tighten it yet.
• Loop the same side around a second time for added security.
• Pull both loops to tighten the knot.

The Square Knot:

This method involves creating a secure square knot by crossing your lace left over right and then right over left. Here are the detailed steps:

• Form a loop with one of the laces.
• Cross the left shoelace over the right.
• Wrap the left lace over and under the right, then pull both laces in opposite directions.
• Take the left lace and form a one-inch loop next to the starting knot.
• Bring the right lace in front of the loop and circle it around its base.
• Make a loop with the right lace and insert it into the circle, pulling it through loosely. This forms a normal shoelace knot.
• Wrap the right loop over and around the left loop, inserting it into the circle again.
• Take one loop in each hand and pull them tightly in opposite directions.

The Barrel Knot, Chain Knot, or Fishtail Knot:

Sperry, a popular boat shoe brand, recommends using one of these three knots to secure your boat shoes. While they don't provide specific instructions, you can find tutorials for these knots online or in sailing knot guides.

Use waxed-leather laces

Boat shoes with leather laces are notoriously difficult to tie, as leather will come loose from normal knots very easily. Waxed-leather laces are a great alternative to regular leather laces as they are less slippery and will hold a knot better.

To tie your boat shoes with waxed-leather laces, you can use the same knots as you would with regular leather laces, but you may find that you don't need to use such complicated knots. Here are some popular knots to try:

The Barrel Knot

The Barrel Knot is a classic method for lacing boat shoes, offering both elegance and simplicity. This knot is a nod to nautical tradition, echoing the knots used by sailors. It ensures your laces stay secure while adding a neat, minimalist aesthetic to your shoes.

To tie the Barrel Knot:

• Start by threading the lace through the eyelets of your boat shoe, working from the bottom-most eyelets upwards. Ensure the lace ends are even.
• Create a small loop with one end of the lace by folding it back onto itself.
• With the other hand, take the other end of the lace and wrap it tightly around the loop and the standing part of the lace 3-5 times, depending on the length of your lace.
• Thread the end of the lace through the loop you created in Step 2.
• Gently pull both ends of the lace in opposite directions to tighten the knot.
• Adjust the knot to sit neatly against the eyelet and tuck in any excess lace for a clean finish.
• The Tassel Knot

The Tassel Knot is a decorative lacing technique that transforms ordinary laces into eye-catching tassels. It's perfect for those who want to add a playful touch to their footwear.

To tie the Tassel Knot:

• Begin by threading your laces through the eyelets, starting from the bottom and working upwards, ensuring the laces are even on both sides.
• On one side, create a small loop near the end of the lace. This will be the base of your tassel.
• With the other hand, take the long part of the lace and wrap it tightly around the base loop until you have a small section of lace left.
• Thread the remaining end of the lace through the base loop.
• Gently pull the end of the lace while holding the wrapped section to tighten the knot and secure the tassel. Adjust the size of the tassel by pulling more or less of the lace through the loop.
• Repeat the process to create a tassel on the other lace.
• The Chain Knot

The Chain Knot is a stylish and sophisticated lacing technique that adds an elegant touch to your footwear. It creates a visually appealing pattern that resembles a chain, lending a refined and polished look to your boat shoes.

To tie the Chain Knot:

• Lace your boat shoes in the usual criss-cross fashion, starting from the bottom-most eyelets and working upwards.
• Once you reach the top, create a small loop with one of the lace ends, holding it near the last eyelet.
• Take the other lace end and pass it through the loop you just made.
• With the lace that’s just been threaded through, form another loop and pass the alternate lace end through this new loop.
• Continue this process, alternating between creating a loop and passing the opposite lace through.
• Once you reach the end of the laces, tuck the remaining lace under the last loop to secure the chain.
• Gently adjust the loops to create an even, neat chain effect.
• The Surgeon's Knot

The Surgeon's Knot is a secure and reliable lacing technique. It is quick and easy to tie, making it a convenient choice for those on the go.

To tie the Surgeon's Knot:

• Cross the left lace over the right lace.
• Wrap the left lace over and under the right lace and pull both laces tightly in opposite directions.
• Make a loop with the left lace (now on the right side of the shoe) by bending it over itself to form a 1-inch loop. Position the base of the loop next to the starting knot.
• Grab the right lace and bring it in front of the loop, completing a circle around the base of the loop.
• Insert the top of the loop through the circle you created and pull the loop loosely through.
• Wrap the right loop over and around the left loop again, inserting it through the circle once more.
• Pull tightly on the loops in opposite directions to secure the knot.

Try a Barrel knot, Chain knot, or Fishtail knot

To keep your boat shoe laces securely tied, you can try using a combination of two types of knots. First, you can start with a Reef knot to tie the lace. Then, for the leftover portion of the lace, you can use either a Barrel Tassel knot, a Chain Sinnet, or a Fishtail knot.

The Barrel Tassel Knot

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The Barrel Tassel knot is a simple and effective way to secure your boat shoe laces. It is often used by people who prefer to use their shoes as slip-ons, without the need for a bow. This knot provides a neat and tidy finish to your lacing, giving your boat shoes a sleek appearance.

The Chain Sinnet (Chain Stitch)

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The Chain Sinnet, also known as the Chain Stitch, is a decorative knot that shortens your laces and prevents tangling. It is created by forming a loop and tucking it into a noose, then repeating this process to create a chain. When the chain is long enough, simply lock it by passing the end through the final loop. This knot is commonly used in climbing and decorative applications.

The Fishtail Knot

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The Fishtail knot is a type of braid that can be used to secure your boat shoe laces. It involves weaving the lace in a specific pattern, creating a strong and secure finish. This knot is often used in survival bracelets, and its instructions can be adapted to suit your lacing needs.

Frequently asked questions