How to lace hockey skates? Most common styles for hockey skate tying

Do you want to learn how to lace hockey skates and hit the ice with confidence? Don’t worry—tying hockey skates isn’t hard. Just follow a few simple steps to achieve a secure and comfortable fit.

In this blog, Adam Matter will go through a step-by-step how to tie the lacing and guide rightly choosing the length and size chart of hockey skate laces.  Then, you can hit the ice knowing they’re snugly secured. Now, let’s read on!

How to lace hockey skates?

In fact, there are several ways as well as styles to know how to lace ice hockey skates.  The skates should always be snugly adjusted, especially around the ankles, but lacing should not be necessary. These are several popular hockey skate lacing styles.

Under lacing

This is the traditional way to lace ice hockey skates. This approach provides a classic appearance, is easy to lace and can be completed fast, and offers a comfortable fit all around.

To do this, thread the lace up from the bottom of the skate and pull it through each eyelet all the way up to the top. Leave some slack at the top and tie a bow at the top, then tuck in any extra laces.

Cross lacing

To achieve a snugger fit around your ankle, cross-lacing is the way to go. This method takes a bit longer than under lacing, but it is still quite easy.

Start by threading the lace up from the bottom and pulling it through each eyelet all the way up to the top. Then crisscross the laces, alternating between opposite sides as you move up and down until you reach the top. Leave some slack at the top and tie a bow at the top, then tuck in any extra laces.

Lock lacing

This method is ideal for getting an even snugger fit along with added support around your ankle. It is slightly more complex than the other two methods, but once you get the hang of it, it isn’t hard.

Start by threading the lace up from the bottom and pulling it through each eyelet all the way up to the top. Then crisscross the laces and form a loop in each one around the eyelets as you alternate sides until you reach the top. Tie a secure knot at the top and tuck in any extra laces.

Partial lacing

This lacing style provides ankle support without impeding movement.

This is a step-by-step guide to lacing figure or hockey skates, lace up from the bottom as you would normally do and pull it through each eyelet all the way up to the top. Then criss-cross the laces, alternating between opposite sides as you move up and make a loop in the laces around each eyelet on the top three rows. Leave some slack at the top and tie a bow at the top, then tuck in any extra laces.

Over lacing

Over criss-cross lacing is ideal for those seeking a very snug fit. It can be used on both narrow and wide feet, as it evenly covers the entire foot.

To do this, thread the lace up from the bottom of the skate and pull it through each eyelet all the way up to the top. Then criss-cross the laces, alternating sides, and loop them over each eyelet until you reach the top. Leave some slack at the top and tie a bow at the top, then tuck in any extra laces.

No matter which way you choose to tie your skates, make sure they fit well, especially around the ankles, without being too tight. This will ensure you get the best fit and performance out of your hockey skates. If that’s the case, your hockey skate doesn’t fit, you can learn how to bake hockey skates to get a shoe that fit

Guide rightly choosing the length and size chart of hockey skate laces

Hockey skate laces are an essential part of playing the game. The correct length and size of your lacing will make a big difference in how you play the game. Knowing what type of lace to buy, and choosing the right size chart for your skates, is important for obtaining the best possible performance.

Start by measuring the length of your skate from toe to heel, as this will help determine the length of lace that you need. Make sure to buy lace that hockey skate laces are thicker, which keeps them in place and prevents sliding.

Once you have the desired length of lace, it’s time to pick a size chart. Size charts are available for all kinds of skates, from youth to adult sizes. Knowing your skate size will also help when selecting the right size chart. To provide the correct support and protection, make sure the laces fit securely and pleasantly around your foot when choosing a size chart.

You can refer to the length and size chart below to estimate when wanting to buy the hockey skate lace:

Size	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

The purpose of properly lacing hockey skates

There are several reasons why understanding how to properly lace hockey skates is crucial. First, if your skates are excessively loose, you risk getting blisters and losing your balance when skating. If your skates are too tight, though, you may get cramps or numbness in your feet.

Besides that, a properly laced skate can better absorb shock from physical contact or hard ice, preventing injury.

Lastly, well-laced skates let you control your movements more accurately and give you greater speed and agility on the rink.

Taking the time to learn how to tie hockey skates right will improve your safety, comfort, and performance on the ice in the long run.

5 methods for avoiding and eliminating lace bite

Lace bite can be an irritating and painful experience for hockey players. Fortunately, there are several methods that can help prevent lace bite or alleviate it once it has occurred.

Loosen your laces

This method is the simplest, and often most effective. If you don’t lace your skates too tightly, you can reduce the chances of developing lace bite.

Use waxed laces

Waxed laces are more durable than regular laces and create less tension on the top of the foot due to their slickness.

Using the skate gel cushioning

Gel cushioning can be placed on top of the laces to absorb any pressure and discomfort that may occur due to a tight fit.

Lace covers

Using lace covers can prevent the laces from digging into your foot, which is one of the leading causes of lace bites.

Purchase skates with a different fit

If none of these approaches help your lace bite, it may be time to get a better-fitting pair of skates. This means that you should try on different brands and models and see which ones feel most comfortable.

By using one or more of these methods, you can avoid,  alleviate lace bite or know how to break in hockey skates so that you can get back to playing hockey without pain.

FAQs: How to lace hockey skates?

Are your laces waxed or unwaxed?

Waxed laces allow hockey players to tie their skates firmly, but non-waxed laces are more prone to lace bite and leave a waxy residue. Non-waxed skates provide more forgiving and flexing. Especially, waxed laces are definitely easier to tie and hold the skate tighter for a lot longer than unwaxed laces.

How does Sidney Crosby lace his skates?

Sidney Crosby, for example, doesn’t tie the top of his skates very tightly. Other players tie them very tightly. Everybody’s feet are different. Some players need skates that fit them just right.

Is it better to tie the skates tight or loose?

Ensure that your skate laces are sufficiently snug to prevent your feet from moving inside. Yet, the laces should not be so tight as to cause discomfort in the feet. It is a common misperception that tying the skate laces around the ankle provides additional stability.

How tightly should hockey skates be laced?

How snug must hockey skates be? The fit of hockey skates should be snug but not uncomfortable. Your toes should barely brush the toe cap when unlaced. When standing on fully-laced skates, your heel should be snug in the heel pocket, while your toes should have some room.

How to stop on ice hockey skates?

Stopping on ice hockey skates involves using a combination of friction, balance, and momentum. To stop quickly and powerfully, drag the heel of your inside skate to create friction or sharply press down on the toe-end of your outside skate to engage the brake. Properly balancing your weight distribution throughout the turn will also help you decelerate and stop.

Conclusion

As you have seen, there is a large variety of lacing options that you can choose from when it comes to tying your hockey skates. Hockeyheritage.org has provided step-by-step guidance to ensure that you understand the most common lacing techniques and combinations. Remember these steps above to guarantee to know how to lace hockey skates!