The Art Of Tying Boat Shoes: Sperry Style Guide

There are several ways to tie boat shoes, including the barrel knot, the chain knot, the fishtail knot, and the tassel knot. This paragraph will focus on the barrel knot, also known as the heaving knot, which is a classic boat shoe knot that is said to bring many compliments your way. To tie a barrel knot, first, fold the lace over itself to create a loop, then twist this loop. Next, wrap the remaining lace around the loop five times. Finally, thread the end of the lace through the loop, pulling it tight as you push the knot downwards. Trim any excess lace and repeat on the other shoe.

How to tie a barrel knot

To tie a barrel knot, also known as a heaving knot, start by folding the lace over itself to create a loop. It is important to leave a 3 to 4-inch tail at the end of the loop. Then, 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 of the loop and twist the loop tightly.

If needed, you can wrap the tail around the loop a few more times. Now, wrap the tail around the base of the loop 5 times. Continue to hold the top of the loop with your non-dominant hand while doing this. Then, grab the end of the lace and thread it through the loop. As you pull the end of the lace tightly through the loop, use your non-dominant hand to push the knot towards the shoe.

Repeat this process on the remaining laces. If the laces are too long, you can trim them with a pair of sharp scissors.

How to tie a tassel knot

To tie a tassel knot with your Sperrys, start by crossing the laces to create an "X", with the left lace on top of the right. Then, bring the left lace under the right lace and pull them in opposite directions.

Now, 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. Bring the right lace under and then back over the left lace. Repeat the process with the left lace, so it goes under and then back over the right lace. Pull the laces in opposite directions to tighten the square knot.

Next, 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 long. Hold the base of the loop with the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, wrap the tail of the lace tightly around the loop 2 to 3 times.

Finally, thread the end of the lace through the loop and pull tightly. Repeat the process with the right lace, creating a mirror image of the tassel on the other side.

How to tie a chain knot

The chain boat shoe knot is inspired by a sailing knot of the same name, which is used to decorate or shorten a rope. To tie a chain knot on your Sperry boat shoes, follow these steps:

First, uncross your laces and grab the left lace with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, make a 0.5-inch loop in the middle of the left lace. Hold the base of the loop with your left hand.

Next, create a second loop with your dominant hand and push it through the first loop from the back. Pull the lace tight and move the knot towards the eyelet.

Repeat these steps 2-3 more times, creating a new loop and threading it through the previous loop each time.

Finally, tuck the end of the lace into the final loop at the end of each knot and tuck the ends of each chain into one another.

To untie the chain boat shoe knot, simply tug hard on each end of the chain knots.

How to tie a surgeon's knot

To tie a surgeon's knot, also known as a Tibetan Trekking Knot or Sherpa Knot, follow these steps:

• Begin with a regular left-over-right starting knot. Cross the left lace over the right lace and wrap it over and under the right lace. Pull both laces tightly in opposite directions.
• Make a loop with the left lace. Bend the left lace over itself to form a 1-inch loop. Position the base of the loop next to the starting knot.
• Circle the loop with the right lace. Bring the right lace in front of the loop and complete the circle around the base of the loop by bringing the lace back to the front.
• Insert the right lace into the circle you created and pull. Make a small loop with the right lace and insert the top of the loop through the circle. Pull the loop loosely through the circle.
• Up to this point, you have completed a standard shoelace knot. Now, wrap the right loop around the left loop again and insert the right loop through the circle once more.
• Pull tightly on the loops in opposite directions.

Repeat these steps to tie a surgeon's knot on the other shoe.

How to tie a fishtail knot

Sperry boat shoes are known for their distinctive look and the many ways to tie a boat shoe knot and make it your own. One such way is the fishtail knot, a unique and stylish way to tie your Sperrys.

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. Do the same with the right lace, inserting it into and through the bottom right eyelet, and then stringing it through the top right eyelet. The laces between the two eyelets should 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, keeping 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 laces over the opposite parallel lines once more.

Finally, tuck the ends of the laces into the shoe. Insert the left lace into the shoe, then do the same with the right lace. And there you have it—a stylish and secure fishtail knot for your Sperrys! Repeat the process on the other shoe to complete the look.

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