Boat Shoe Leather Laces: Tying The Perfect Knots

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, but there are several other ways to tie them, including the tassel knot, the chain knot, the surgeon's knot, and the fishtail knot.

How to tie a barrel knot

Tying a barrel knot is one of the most common ways to tie leather boat shoes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a barrel knot:

• Fold the lace to form a loop. Take the left shoelace of either shoe and fold it over itself, leaving a 3-4 inch tail at the end.
• Twist the loop. Place the top of the loop between the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, hold the tail just below the base and tightly twist the loop.
• Wrap the tail around the loop. Continue to hold the top of the loop with your non-dominant hand and wrap the tail around the base of the loop 5 times.
• Thread and pull. Grab the end of the lace and thread it through the loop. As you pull the end tightly through the loop, use your non-dominant hand to push the knot towards the shoe.
• Repeat on the other laces. Repeat the above steps for the remaining laces.
• Trim the laces (optional). If the laces are too long or uneven, use sharp scissors to cut off the excess leather.

The barrel knot is a secure way to tie your boat shoes, ensuring that the laces do not come loose. It may take some practice to perfect the knot, but it will be worth it for a neat and functional finish.

How to tie a tassel knot

Tying a tassel knot on your boat shoes is a great way to keep your leather laces secure and give your shoes a nice, clean look. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a tassel knot:

Step 1: Cross the laces to create an "X" by placing the left lace on top of the right and then bringing it under. Pull the laces in opposite directions to tighten the cross.

Step 2: 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. You are now ready to tie a square knot.

Step 3: Bring the right lace under and then over the left lace. Pull it tight.

Step 4: Now bring the left lace under and then over the right lace. Again, pull it tight.

Step 5: Tighten the square knot by pulling evenly on each lace.

Step 6: Form a loop with the left lace by folding it over itself at the base of the square knot. The loop should be about 1 inch in length. Hold the base of the loop between the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand.

Step 7: Wrap the tail of the left lace (the end that is not attached to the shoe) tightly around the loop 2 to 3 times.

Step 8: Thread the end of the left lace through the loop and pull tightly.

Step 9: Repeat steps 6 to 8 on the right lace to create a matching tassel. Trim the ends of the laces if they are too long.

And there you have it! A secure and stylish tassel knot for your boat shoes. Repeat the process on the other shoe, and you're ready to go.

How to tie a chain knot

To tie a chain knot, start by uncrossing your laces and grabbing the left lace with your non-dominant hand. Make a 0.5-inch loop in the middle of the lace, holding the base with your left hand. With your dominant hand, create a second 0.5-inch loop above the first one and push the base halfway through the first loop. Pull the lace tight and move the knot towards the eyelet. Insert your thumb into the second loop, pull the loop and tail in opposite directions, and push the knot towards the eyelet.

Make a third loop with your dominant hand, bringing it under and through the second loop. Thread the end through the third loop and pull it tight to create a link in the chain. Even out the links by hand. Repeat the process with the right lace, trying to make the chains as even as possible.

Finally, pull the left chain horizontally to the right. Lift the right flap and tuck the end of the left lace into the shoe. Position the right chain above the left one and pull it horizontally to the left. Lift the left flap and tuck in the end of the right lace.

How to tie a surgeon's knot

To tie a surgeon's knot, follow these steps:

Firstly, create a left-over-right starting knot. Take the left lace and cross it over the right lace. Wrap the left lace over and under the right lace, then pull both laces tightly in opposite directions.

Next, make a loop with the left lace. Take the left lace, now on the right side of the shoe, and bend it over itself to form a 1-inch loop. Position the base of this loop next to the starting knot.

Now, grab the right lace and circle the loop. Bring the right lace, which is now on the left side of the shoe, in front of the loop. Complete the circle by bringing the lace back around to the front, so it circles the base of the loop.

Insert the right lace into the circle you've created and pull. Make a small loop in the right lace and insert the top of the loop through the circle, pulling it loosely through. At this point, you will have a standard shoelace knot.

To finish the surgeon's knot, wrap the right loop around the left loop again. Bring the right loop over and around the left loop, then insert it through the circle once more. Pull tightly on the loops in opposite directions, and your surgeon's knot is complete!

Repeat these steps on the other shoe to create a matching pair of surgeon's knots. This type of knot is ideal for boat shoes with leather laces, as it provides a secure and tight finish that will keep your shoes in place.

How to tie a fishtail knot

To tie a fishtail knot, start by threading the laces through the eyelets in parallel lines. Insert the left lace into and through the bottom left eyelet, then string it through the top left eyelet. Repeat this process on the right side with the right lace. The laces between the two eyelets should now be visible on the outside of the shoe.

Next, cross the laces and pull them down towards the tip of the shoe. Lay the left lace over the right lace, then lay the laces flat with the ends towards the tip of the shoe. Loop the left lace over the right parallel line and pull it tight. Repeat this process with the right lace, looping it over the left parallel line and pulling it tight.

Now, loop each lace up and over the opposite parallel line three times. Pull the left lace (now on the right side) up and over the left parallel line. Then, pull the right lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line. Repeat this process, pulling the left lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line, followed by the right lace (now on the right side) up and over the left parallel line.

Finally, tuck the ends into the shoe. Insert the left lace into the shoe, then tuck the right lace into the shoe. Repeat this process on the other shoe to create a fishtail on each shoe.

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