HOW TO LACE DR. MARTENS FOOTWEAR

Over the decades, we’ve seen our wearers lace their footwear in all sorts of weird and interesting ways. These are four unshakable classics, as chosen by the DM’s Boot Doctor.

THE CLASSIC CROSS LACE
THE LADDER LACE
THE STRAIGHT BAR LACE
THE BOW TIE LACE

4 WAYS TO MAKE THEM YOUR OWN

Lacing your boots is about much more than keeping them in place. It’s a chance to customise and leave your mark on your footwear. Add some attitude, try some standout laces, and maybe even kick some life into a well-worn pair of boots. From the classic cross lace to the hard-hitting ladder, here are four ways to tie up your Docs shoes and make them your own, with a few tips from the DM’s Boot Doctor.

THE CLASSIC CROSS LACE

A GOOD ALL-ROUNDER WITH A SHOW-STOPPING FINISH

THE BOOT DOCTOR SAYS:

BREAKING IN YOUR BOOTS? LEAVE THE TOP TWO EYELETS FREE –
YOU’LL APPRECIATE THE EXTRA ROOM DURING THE FIRST FEW WEARS

STEP 1 : Start with two even lengths of lace. Thread each side through the bottom two eyelets from outside the boot to in, leaving you with a horizontal lace ‘bar’ inside the shoe.

STEP 2: Cross each end of lace over the top of the shoe as you go up to the next pair of eyelets. Pull the lace through the from the inside on either side, then cross over the top of the boot again as you make your way up.

STEP 3: Now for the wraparound. Leave the top two eyelets free to give yourself some excess lace, then wrap the two lengths around the back of the boot, through the heel loop, and around to the front again. Tie a firm knot to keep it in place. If you don’t fancy a wraparound, just keep lacing your boots up to the top, and knot.

THE LADDER LACE

TOUGH-AS-NAILS MILITARY-STYLE LACING

THE BOOT DOCTOR SAYS:

A STANDOUT WITH HIGH BOOTS, THE LADDER LACE IS SERIOUSLY STRONG.
GREAT FOR FOOTWEAR THAT FEELS A BIT ROOMY

STEP 1: This one begins inside to out: two even lengths of lace coming out of the bottom two eyelets and run up vertically over the boot on each side to the eyelet pair above. Don’t cross them over yet

STEP 2: Once you’ve created your two loops on either side, it’s time for the ladder ‘rungs’. Cross the lace lengths over through the corresponding loops you’ve created, then thread them through the eyelets above

STEP 3: Repeat the process on the next four eyelets, tightening as you go, and again until you reach the top. Pair this robust lacing style with a hardy knot inside the boot, and you’re set

THE STRAIGHT BAR LACE

LONGER LACES, ADDED ATTITUDE

THE BOOT DOCTOR SAYS:

YOU CAN EASILY TIGHTEN THE LACES ONCE YOU FINISH.
SIMPLY PULL ONE SIDE OF EACH BAR. TRY A WRAPAROUND IF YOU HAVE EXCESS AT THE TOP

STEP 1: Start with two lace lengths threaded through the bottom two eyelets. Make sure they’re roughly even.

STEP 2: Now it gets asymmetrical. Take the lace on one side and skip the eyelet directly above, instead threading through the next-but-one eyelet on the same side. On the other side, your lace should run vertically up the inside of the shoe and out through the eyelet directly above, then across the top in a horizontal ‘bar’ to the eyelet on the other side.

STEP 3: On this pair of shoes, that’ll see you through to the top. But on boots with more eyelets, repeat this process on alternate sides until you hit the last two eyelets. Tie a solid knot to finish.

THE BOW TIE LACE

A LOOSER STYLE WITH AN UNMISTAKABLE PATTERN

THE BOOT DOCTOR SAYS:

THIS MINIMAL STYLE GIVES YOU ABOUT 1/3 EXTRA LACE TO PLAY WITH.
GREAT FOR LACES THAT ARE A LITTLE ON THE SHORTER SIDE

STEP 1: Begin with two even lengths of lace through the bottom two eyelets. If your shoes have an even number of eyelets, skip the first ‘bows’ by running a vertical lace up the inside of the boot on either side. For an odd number of eyelets, begin the ‘bow tie’ straight away.

STEP 2: To tie the bows, alternate between crossing the lace over as you go to the next higher eyelets, then running a straight vertical lace up the inside to the next set of eyelets. There should be a one-eyelet gap between each of your bow ties.

STEP 3: You'll know if you've done it right when you reach the top two eyelets: the laces should go from inside to out. Finish with a sturdy knot, and get cracking.