The Ultimate Guide to Lacing Skates: Techniques, Tips, and Troubleshooting
Proper skate lacing is far more than just a preliminary step before hitting the ice or pavement - it's a fundamental technique that directly impacts your performance, comfort, and safety. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about lacing any type of skates, including Chicago roller skates, hockey skates, figure skates, and inline skates.
Understanding Skate Lacing Fundamentals
Before diving into specific techniques, it's important to understand why proper lacing matters. A well-laced skate provides crucial ankle support, prevents foot movement inside the boot, distributes pressure evenly across your foot, and helps prevent painful conditions like lace bite.
Choosing the Right Laces
The type of lace you select can significantly impact your skating experience:
Waxed Laces vs. Unwaxed Laces
Waxed laces feature a thin layer of wax that creates friction against eyelets, helping maintain tension and preventing loosening during play. They're ideal for hockey skates and for skaters who need their boots to stay consistently tight.
Unwaxed laces are more flexible and easier to adjust, making them popular for figure skating and recreational skating where comfort may be prioritized over maximum stability.
Skate Lace Length Guide
Using the correct lace length ensures you'll have enough to tie properly without excess material dragging on the ground:
Skate Size | Recommended Lace Length
Youth 8 - Junior 3 - 72" (180cm)
Junior 3.5 - 5.5 - 84" (210cm)
Adult 6 - 8 - 96" (240cm)
Adult 8 - 10 - 108" (270cm)
Adult 10 - 13 - 120" (300cm)
Adult 12 - 15 - 130" (330cm)
Essential Lacing Techniques
Different lacing methods serve different purposes. Here are the most effective techniques for various skating needs:
1. Standard Criss-Cross (Under) Lacing
This classic method is the foundation of skate lacing and works well for most recreational skaters:
1. Start at the bottom eyelets, inserting the lace from underneath so the ends come out on top
2. Cross the laces diagonally and thread each end through the opposite eyelet from outside to inside
3. Continue this pattern all the way up, keeping tension even but not overly tight in the toe area
4. Gradually increase tension as you move up toward the ankle area
5. Finish with a secure bow or knot, tucking excess lace under your socks or shin guards
2. Over Criss-Cross Lacing
This technique offers a tighter fit and is popular among hockey players and those with narrow feet:
1. Begin at the bottom eyelets, but insert the laces from the top down
2. Cross laces diagonally over the tongue and thread through the opposite eyelet from top down
3. Continue this pattern up the boot, pulling firmly at each level
4. This method creates stronger tension, helping prevent heel lift
3. Skip Lacing (Pressure Relief Technique)
This technique helps relieve pressure on specific areas, particularly useful for preventing lace bite:
1. Follow your preferred criss-cross pattern until reaching the problem area
2. Skip the eyelet where pressure causes discomfort
3. Continue normal lacing above that point
4. This creates a pressure-free zone while maintaining support elsewhere
4. Heel Lock Lacing
This specialized technique prevents heel slippage inside the skate:
1. Lace normally until the ankle area
2. At the second-to-last eyelet, thread each lace straight up to the top eyelet on the same side
3. Cross each lace over and through the loop created on the opposite side
4. Pull tight to create a secure lock around your ankle
Zone-Specific Lacing: The "Egg Timer" Method
Expert skaters often vary lacing tension throughout different zones of the foot for optimal performance:
1. Toe Box Zone: Lace moderately loose to allow toe movement and blood circulation
2. Midfoot/Instep Zone: Increase tension significantly to secure the heel and prevent movement
3. Ankle Zone: Adjust based on your skating style - tighter for stability, slightly looser for flexibility in figure skating
This "egg timer" pattern (loose-tight-moderate) creates the ideal balance of security and mobility.
Specific Lacing for Different Skate Types
Chicago Roller Skates
Chicago skates benefit from these specific lacing considerations:
1. Begin with completely loosened laces and ensure the tongue is properly centered
2. Use the over criss-cross method for maximum stability, especially important for newer skaters
3. Pay special attention to tension at the ankle area where support is most crucial
4. For outdoor skating in Chicago skates, secure the top hooks with a 360° wrap for added stability
Hockey Skates
Hockey skates require specialized lacing for optimal performance on ice:
1. Consider waxed laces for their superior tension-holding capability
2. Use outside-to-inside lacing to reduce pressure points and prevent lace bite
3. Focus on tight midfoot lacing to prevent heel lift during rapid direction changes
4. For maximum ankle mobility, some players skip the top eyelet entirely
Figure Skates
Figure skates benefit from this lacing approach:
1. Use the herringbone pattern (outside to inside) recommended by professional coaches
2. Create a V-shaped closure at the ankle to maximize flexibility for jumps and spins
3. Ensure hooks are wrapped completely to prevent laces from slipping during intensive movements
Inline/Speed Skates
For inline skates, consider these techniques:
1. Focus on extra tightness around the ankle for lateral stability
2. Use the heel lock method to prevent foot movement during pushing motions
3. Consider waxed laces that won't loosen during vibration from rough surfaces
Troubleshooting Common Lacing Problems
Preventing and Treating Lace Bite
Lace bite-that painful inflammation on the front of the ankle-can be addressed through proper lacing:
1. Skip the problematic eyelet creating pressure
2. Switch to an outside-to-inside lacing pattern to reduce direct pressure
3. Consider lace bite pads or gel sleeves for additional protection
4. For chronic issues, try the "bunny ears" lacing technique that creates loops at the top eyelets
Solutions for Different Foot Types
For Wide Feet:
- Use parallel lacing in the forefoot area to provide more volume
- Focus tension in the ankle area rather than midfoot
- Consider skipping alternate eyelets in the widest part of your foot
For Narrow Feet:
- Use over criss-cross lacing for maximum tightening capability
- Consider additional ankle wrapping techniques
- Focus on heel lock methods to prevent slippage
Advanced Tips for Optimal Performance
1. Flat vs. Twisted Laces: Always keep laces flat throughout the lacing process-twisted laces wear out faster and create pressure points
2. Regular Maintenance: Replace frayed or stretched laces immediately; worn laces compromise support and can break during use
3. Pre-Game Preparation: Many professional players re-lace between periods for consistent performance throughout games
4. Tongue Positioning: Secure the tongue properly with special lace loops or criss-cross patterns to prevent shifting during movement
Conclusion: The Impact of Proper Lacing
Mastering the art of skate lacing is a crucial step toward improving your skating experience. By selecting the right laces, using appropriate techniques for your skate type and foot shape, and addressing common problems proactively, you'll enjoy greater comfort, stability, and performance on the ice or pavement.
Whether you're using Chicago roller skates for recreational fun, hockey skates for competitive play, or figure skates for artistic expression, the principles of proper lacing remain similar-customize tension zones, secure the heel, protect pressure points, and ensure consistent support.
Remember that personal preference plays a role too-experiment with different techniques to discover what works best for your unique feet and skating style. Your perfectly laced skates will reward you with better control, increased power transfer, and a more enjoyable skating experience.
