Tightening Sperry Boat Shoes: Tips For A Snug Fit

Sperry boat shoes are notoriously difficult to tie, especially if you're new to this type of footwear. The leather laces that come with high-quality boat shoes like Sperrys are notorious for coming loose from normal knots. So, if you want to keep your Sperrys secure, you'll need to learn some more complicated knots. But don't worry, if you're used to sailing knots, this should be a breeze!

How to tighten Sperry boat shoes

Surgeon's knot

The Surgeon's Knot, also known as the Tibetan Trekking Knot or Sherpa Knot, is a secure way to tie your Sperry boat shoes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie this knot:

Step 1: Begin with a regular left-over-right starting knot. Take the left lace and wrap it over and under the right lace. Pull both laces tightly in opposite directions.

Step 2: Create 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.

Step 3: Circle the loop with the right lace. Take the right lace, now on the left side of the shoe, and bring it in front of the loop. Continue circling the loop by bringing the right lace back to the front.

Step 4: Insert the right lace into the circle and pull. Make a small loop with the right lace and insert the top of this loop through the circle you created. Pull the loop loosely through. At this point, you will have a standard shoelace knot.

Step 5: Wrap the right loop around the left loop again. Bring the right loop over and around the left loop for the second time. Insert the right loop through the circle once more.

Step 6: Pull the loops tightly. Grab the right loop with your right hand and the left loop with your left hand. Pull the loops tightly in opposite directions.

Repeat these steps on the other shoe, and you will have securely tied your Sperry boat shoes with a Surgeon's Knot. This knot is ideal for leather laces, which can be challenging to keep tied with a basic shoelace knot.

Barrel knot

The barrel knot is a classic boat shoe knot that is also known as the barrel lace or the heaving knot. It is one of the most common knots used on Sperrys. Here is how to tie a barrel knot:

Take the left shoelace of either shoe in your hand and fold the lace over itself to create a loop, leaving a 3- to 4-inch tail at the end.

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 with your non-dominant hand.

Wrap the tail around the base of the loop 5 times.

Thread the end of the lace through the loop and pull tightly on the end of the lace while pushing the knot towards the shoe.

Repeat the process on the remaining laces.

If needed, trim the laces. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut off any excess length from the leather laces.

Tassel knot

The tassel knot is a stylish way to tie your Sperry boat shoes without having to re-tie them every time you put them on. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a tassel knot:

Step 1: Cross the laces to form an "X"

Take the left lace and place it on top of the right one, then bring it under and pull the laces in opposite directions.

Step 2: Tie a square knot

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 one. Bring the right lace under and then over the left lace. Repeat with the left lace, bringing it under and then over the right lace. Pull the laces in opposite directions to tighten the knot.

Step 3: Form a loop with the left lace

Fold the left lace over itself to create a loop at the base of the square knot. The loop should be approximately 1 inch long. Hold the base of the loop between the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand.

Step 4: Wrap the tail of the lace around the loop

Using your dominant hand, wrap the tail of the lace tightly around the loop 2 to 3 times.

Step 5: Tuck the end of the lace into the loop and pull

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

Step 6: Repeat on the right lace

Create a tassel on the right lace using the same process. Trim the ends if they are too long.

Step 7: Repeat on the other shoe

Now you've mastered the tassel knot, repeat the process on your other Sperry boat shoe!

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. The best part about this knot is that it can be untied simply by tugging hard on each of the ends of the chain knots. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a chain knot:

• Make a loop with your left lace, ensuring that the lace is uncrossed and coming across the front of the shoe.
• Create a second loop with your dominant hand.
• Push the second loop through the first one from the back.
• Pull the lace tight and repeat steps 2 and 3 two to three more times.
• Tuck the end of the lace into the final loop at the end of each knot.
• Tuck the ends of each chain into each other.

The chain knot is just one of many ways to tie your Sperry boat shoes. Other popular knots include the barrel knot, the tassel knot, the fishtail knot, and the surgeon's knot. Each of these knots provides a secure and stylish way to wear your boat shoes, ensuring that they fit snugly and comfortably.

Fishtail knot

The fishtail knot is a distinctive technique to lace your Sperry boat shoes and make them your own. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, thread 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, inserting the right lace 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.

Now, cross the laces and pull them down towards the tip of the shoe. Lay the left lace over the right lace and flatten the laces with the ends towards the tip of the shoe.

Next, 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.

Continue this pattern, looping 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 step, pulling the left lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line, and then 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 and then tuck the right lace into the shoe. Repeat the process on the other shoe to create a fishtail on each shoe.

Frequently asked questions