Rethreading Boat Shoes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Boat shoes are specialised footwear designed for use on boats, offering safe movement on the deck even on wet surfaces. While boat shoes are known for their tight fit, they have a reputation for being difficult to tie and challenging to lace. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the process of rethreading boat shoes, covering various methods and tools that can be utilised to secure the laces effectively. Whether you're an avid boater or simply seeking to maintain your boat shoes, understanding the art of rethreading can ensure both style and stability.

Using a shoe lace needle

To begin rethreading, use a pair of scissors to taper one end of your new boat shoe lace. Then, place this tapered end into the eye of the needle. You may want to wrap the lace and needle connection with tape to ensure the lace stays securely in the needle.

Now, you are ready to start lacing! Push the needle through each eyelet, starting from the inside of the bottom eyelet on one side of the shoe. Flatten the back of the shoe as you go along to make it easier for the needle to pass through. Once you have reached the other side, thread the needle through the outside of the last eyelet on the bottom.

Finally, remove the needle from the lace and finish by crossing the laces through the last eyelets. And there you have it—your boat shoes are rethreaded and ready to wear!

Alternative methods without a needle

If you don't have a needle, there are a few alternative methods you can use to rethread your boat shoes. One method is to use a paper clip. Bend the paper clip so that one end is like a needle, and the other end can be tied to the lace. You can also use a safety pin, which can be used in a similar way to a needle.

Another option is to use a wire coat hanger. Cut a small piece of wire and bend one end over to form a small eye. Thread a piece of twine through the eye and tie it off. Then, tie a rolling hitch or timber hitch to the leather lace and pull it through. Alternatively, you can use a doll needle, which is about 10 cm long and has a rounded end and a large eye that you can get a leather lace through.

If you're looking for a more creative solution, try using an old bicycle spoke or a short piece of wire to poke through the holes and secure the lace with pliers. You can also try using plastic strimmer flex as a mouse to easily guide the lace through the holes.

Looping and wrapping laces

Step 1: Form a Loop

Begin by threading the lace through the eyelets of your boat shoe, starting from the bottom and working upwards. Ensure that the lace ends are even. Then, form a loop by folding one end of the lace back onto itself, leaving a fairly long trailing end.

Step 2: Wrap the End of the Shoelace

Take the other end of the shoelace and wrap it once around the bottom of the loop. You can wrap it in either direction—around the front or the back. This direction will determine whether your coil sits on top of the shoe or dangles freely.

Step 3: Continue Wrapping

Wrap the end of the shoelace once more around the loop, this time with the second wrap immediately above the first wrap. Continue winding the end tightly and snugly around the loop, forming a tight coil of lace.

Step 4: Feed the End Through the Loop

After creating the coil, feed the end of the shoelace through the top of the loop. Pull the whole "coil" upwards to tighten the knot and secure the loose end.

Step 5: Repeat on the Other Side

Repeat steps 1 through 4 with the other lace, creating two separate coils.

Step 6: Adjust and Secure (Optional)

For a more secure finish, you can experiment with the length of the starting loop. If you start with a shorter loop, the coil will lie flat against the shoe instead of sticking out. Alternatively, you can tie the ends of the laces together across the top eyelets with a permanent Reef Knot.

The Heaving Line Knot is a stylish and functional choice for boat shoes, adding a nautical touch to your footwear. It is perfect for those who want to blend practicality with maritime tradition. This method ensures that the laces stay tied securely while also providing a decorative element to your shoes.

Threading laces through eyelets

Threading laces through the eyelets of boat shoes can be a tedious and challenging task, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be accomplished efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Start by gathering the necessary tools. A shoe lace needle is recommended by some manufacturers, like Sperry, to make the job easier. Alternatively, you can use a doll needle, which is longer and has a large eye that can accommodate a leather lace. If you don't have access to a needle, you can get creative by bending a paper clip or using a wire coat hanger with one end bent into a small eye. You can also use a short piece of wire or an old bicycle spoke.

Once you have your tool of choice, it's time to prepare the lace. If your lace has a tapered end, simply insert it into the needle. If not, you can taper the end yourself or tie a piece of twine to it to make it easier to pull through the eyelets.

Now, let's begin threading. Start at the bottom eyelet near the front of the shoe. Insert the needle with the lace from the inside of the shoe and work your way through each eyelet until you reach the back. Continue until you reach the frontmost bottom eyelet on the other side. Remove the needle and thread the lace into the frontmost eyelet above, doing the same on both sides.

At this point, you should have your left and right laces parallel to each other. Cross the laces and thread them into the eyelets on opposite sides. Insert the laces from the outside, and they should meet in the centre. Cross the laces again and repeat the process, creating a total of three loops.

Finally, cut any excess lace, leaving just enough to tuck the ends underneath the braid neatly. And that's it! You've successfully rethreaded your boat shoes, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.

Tying a square knot

To rethread your boat shoes, you'll need to tie a secure knot. One of the most common knots is the square knot, also known as the reef knot. This is how you tie one:

Take an end of the lace in each hand. Pass the right end over and under the lace in your left hand. Then, pass the left end over and under the lace now in your right hand. To finish, tighten the knot by pulling on both ends at the same time.

The square knot is a simple way to join two ropes and is made up of two half-knots. It's important to note that a square knot is not suitable for holding heavy loads, but it is useful for securing bandages and packages. It works best when pressed against something else, and the ropes are of a similar thickness.

When forming a square knot, it's essential to follow the correct sequence of "right over left, left over right". This ensures the knot's stability and security. The square knot is a fundamental knot to know, as it teaches the basic process of tying a half-knot or half-hitch, which are essential for various applications, including macrame.

Frequently asked questions