Allen Edmonds Boat Shoes: The Ultimate Tying Guide

Allen Edmonds is a premium men's footwear brand that manufactures shoes using the philosophy of quality, service and integrity. The brand offers a wide range of sizes and widths to achieve a perfect fit for its customers. While the brand is known for its leather shoes, it also offers non-leather-soled shoes that are off-shored. Allen Edmonds' boat shoes, in particular, have received positive reviews for their style, fit, comfort and durability. When it comes to tying these boat shoes, there are several methods to choose from, including the criss-crossing method, the diagonal method, and the straight bar lacing method. Each method offers a unique look and feel, allowing wearers to express their personal style and preference.

Closed Criss-Crossing Method

The Closed Criss-Crossing Method is a great way to add class to your Allen Edmonds boat shoes. This method is especially suitable if your shoes are made from the same leather shade, as the laces overlap as they criss-cross, creating a unique pattern. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this stylish look:

Step 1: Start by putting your laces on the bottom eyelets from the exterior. Ensure that the two ends of the lace are of equal length. The ends should emerge from the inner side of the closure.

Step 2: Take the left lace end and pass it through to the second hole from the bottom on the right side. Insert the lace from the inner side and bring it out through the exterior. Now, take the right lace end and pass it over the first lace, into the second eyelet from the bottom on the left side. It should emerge on the upper side of the closure.

Step 3: Continue the criss-crossing pattern. Take the first lace end and guide it through the third eyelet from the exterior of the second right eyelet to the interior of the third eyelet on the left. For the second lace end, follow the same process, but in the opposite direction. Start from the exterior of the second left eyelet and take it through to the inner edge of the third right eyelet. Ensure that the second lace end is on top of the first lace to maintain the pattern. Tighten the laces at each step to achieve a neat and close criss-cross pattern.

Step 4: Repeat the criss-crossing pattern until you reach the last two eyelets at the top. At this point, you can tie the laces in your desired ribbon or knot. For a secure and tight knot, consider tying once without a ribbon and then creating your preferred knot with the ribbon for the second tie.

The Closed Criss-Crossing Method is a fun and unique way to lace your Allen Edmonds boat shoes, adding a touch of personality and style to your footwear. It is a simple technique that can enhance the overall look of your shoes, so give it a try and see the transformation!

Open Criss-Crossing Method

The open criss-crossing method is a way to add a unique twist to your Allen Edmonds boat shoes while still resembling the conventional shoe-tying method. This method is perfect for those who want to switch up their style without straying too far from the traditional look. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this look:

Firstly, it is important to understand the basic criss-cross lacing technique. This method is probably the most common and straightforward way to lace shoes and is a classic and functional look. The laces simply criss-cross as they work their way up the shoe, feeding under the sides and out through the next higher set of eyelets. This technique is comfortable because the crossovers occur in the gap between the sides of the shoe, so they aren't pressed against the top of your foot.

Now, for the open criss-crossing method, you will follow the same procedure as the basic criss-cross method, but with a slight variation. Start by placing your shoelace through the bottom eyelet pair, creating a straight bar. Then, take the left shoelace and thread it through the right eyelet, and do the same with the right shoelace, threading it through the left eyelet. Ensure the laces remain unseen, lacing behind the facing. Repeat this process, alternating sides, until you have one set of eyelets remaining at the top.

The only difference in the open criss-crossing method is that you will loosen the lacing so that the pattern meets at the centre of the closure, which should be clearly visible. This variation will give your Allen Edmonds boat shoes a distinct look while still maintaining the classic criss-cross style.

You can further customise the look of your Allen Edmonds boat shoes by choosing different colours for your laces. For a subtle and formal look, opt for laces that match the shade of your shoes. If you want to add a bit of character, try using flat laces in bold colours.

Diagonal Method

The diagonal method of lacing Allen Edmonds shoes will give your shoes a completely different look. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this style:

Firstly, take the lace through the right bottom eyelet from the exterior, and into the left bottom eyelet from the interior of the closure. This means that the lace on the right side emerges from the inside, while the left one emerges from the outside. Ensure that the two sides of the lace are equal in length.

Next, take the right-side lace end and insert it through the inner side of the second left eyelet, so that it emerges on the exterior. Then, take the left-side lace end and move it to the outside, putting it into the second eyelet on the right. The lace should emerge from the inside.

Continue following this pattern until you get to the last eyelets, after which you will tie your shoes in a ribbon knot of your preference.

The diagonal method is a unique way to lace your Allen Edmonds shoes, adding a stylish twist to your footwear. It is important to ensure that the lace lengths are equal throughout the process to achieve the best results.

Straight Bar Lacing

Allen Edmonds is an American shoe manufacturing company that was established in 1922. They are known for creating quality shoes at reasonable prices. The company's dress shoe laces are crafted with precision and care, using premium materials to provide durability and a refined finish.

• Create the First Bar: Start at the bottom eyelets and thread the lace through, entering from the top to create the first bar. Ensure that both sides of the lace are of equal length.
• Lace Up One Eyelet: From below, thread one lace up through the bottom of the next eyelet on the same side, so it comes out the top.
• Create the Second Bar: Go across horizontally and thread downward through the top of the eyelet on the opposite side.
• Skip and Thread: On the same side, skip an eyelet and thread the lace through the bottom of the eyelet after the skipped one. Then, cross over the top again horizontally.
• Repeat: Repeat steps 2 to 4 with the other lace until you reach the top.
• Finishing Touches: Depending on the number of eyelets, you can finish with another bar or thread each side through the bottom and tie. Pull the laces toward the toe before tying them securely.

It is important to note that when using the straight bar lacing method, you should always work from the underside of the eyelets and never cross diagonally to the opposite side. This technique provides a simple and elegant solution for lacing formal or semi-formal dress shoes.

Bow-Tie Lacing

While there is no specific guide on how to tie Allen Edmonds boat shoes with bow-tie lacing, there are several other methods you can use to tie your Allen Edmonds shoes.

Criss-Crossing

This is the most common method of tying laces. To make it unique, you can alternate between the two criss-crossing methods: closed and open criss-crossing.

Closed Criss-Crossing Method

• Put your lace on the bottom eyelets from the exterior, so that the two sides emerge from the inner side of the closure. Ensure that the lace ends are equal.
• Take the left lace end to the second hole from the bottom on the right side, running from the inner side and emerging to the exterior.
• Take the right-side lace end, move it over the first lace, and put it into the second eyelet from the bottom on the left side. It should emerge on the upper side of the closure.
• Using the first lace end, get it to the third eyelet, from the exterior of the second right eyelet to the interior of the third eyelet on the left.
• Take the second eyelet from the exterior of the second eyelet to the left, and take it through the inner edge of the third right eyelet. It should be on top of the first lace to maintain the pattern.
• Tighten at each step so as to achieve the design of one lace criss-crossing on another closely.
• Continue in this manner until the last two laces.
• Now that the laces are on the top eyelets, you can tie them in your desired ribbon. For a tight knot, it is advisable to tie once without a ribbon, and the second knot with the ribbon.

Open Criss-Crossing Method

The open criss-crossing method is very similar to the closed criss-crossing method. The only difference is that you will loosen the lacing, so the pattern meets at the centre of the closure, which should be clearly visible.

Diagonal Method

• Take the lace through the right bottom eyelet from the exterior, and into the left bottom eyelet from the interior of the closure. This means that the lace on the right side emerges from the inside, while the left one emerges from the outside. Ensure that the two sides of the lace are equal.
• Take the right-side lace end, and insert it through the inner side of the second left eyelet, so that it emerges on the exterior.
• Take the left-side lace end and move it to the outer side, putting it in the second eyelet on the right. The lace should emerge from the inside.
• Follow this pattern until you get to the last eyelets, after which you will tie your shoes in a ribbon knot of your preference.

Straight Bar Lacing

• Start with the bottom eyelets, with the lace ends emerging from the inner side. Ensure that the lace ends are equal.
• Take the lace end on the right side upwards from the interior, through the second eyelet on the right side.
• Take the lace across, now from the outer part, through the second eyelet on the left. It will emerge on the inner side on the left.
• Now take the lace on the left side, upwards and in through the third eyelet on the left. Emerging from the outer side, take the lace across, through the third eyelet on the right. It will emerge on the inner side, and the process should continue.
• When you are on the last eyelet, tie the laces into a knot.

Other Knots

There are several other ways to tie your laces, including the barrel knot, chain knot, fishtail knot, and tassel knot.

Frequently asked questions