A noteworthy aspect of hockey equipment is the personalization from one player to the next. While it may be surprising to beginners, this also includes a hockey player’s skates. The most obvious is one’s brand preference, but there’s more to it than this.
Before a hockey player ties their new pair of skates, they’ll first need to lace them up. It’s not something a new hockey player would think about, but there are several lacing techniques used for hockey skates. Here’s an overview of the more common methods.
Crisscross Hockey Laces (Under)
As one of the older and more traditional techniques, it remains a popular hockey skate lacing method. Starting near the toe of your skate, pull each end of your laces through the top of the eyelets. Doing this will create a horizontal line across the skate’s boot.
After ensuring the laces are equal in length on both ends, begin weaving your laces diagonally between each eyelet. Rather than pulling your laces through the top holes, go in the bottom. You’re ready to tie your skates once you’ve reached the final eyelets.
Crisscross Hockey Laces (Over)
The previous lacing technique is a more commonly used and has been for a while, but it can also cause lace bite. Therefore, many experienced players don’t recommend lacing your skates through the bottom of each eyelet. They instead opt for a similar method.
Once you create a horizontal line across the bottom, begin weaving your laces diagonally between each eyelet. However, continue pulling your skate laces through the top of each hole as opposed to the bottom. It’s often an effective way to avoid lace bite.
Double-Cross Hockey Laces
Despite the crisscross technique – over as opposed to under – preventing you from getting lace bite, there’s a possibility that you’d like your hockey skates to be tighter. If you’re a beginner, this is even more likely to create support for your ankle on the ice.
To lace your skates using the double-cross method, follow our steps to either one of the techniques above. Once you’ve reached the final eyelets at the top, cross your laces two times before tying the bow. In doing so, you’ll create a tighter knot for your laces.
Lock Hockey Laces
If the double-cross lacing technique isn’t doing it for your ankles, there’s a second method that could be right for you. The lock lacing technique creates an even tighter knot compared to the double-cross method, preparing players for the ice at any level.
To start, use one of the crisscross methods outlined above. Before reaching the top, run your laces through each eyelet and leave a loop on both sides. Pull each end of your laces through the opposing loops, using the double-cross method to tie your skates.
Open Eyelet Hockey Skates
For some hockey players, a tighter knot can lead to pain around their ankles. If either one of the double-cross or lock lacing techniques causes any discomfort for you, another customized hockey skate lacing method is keeping the top eyelets open.
It’s as simple as lacing your hockey skates to a preferred method, but stopping once you reach the second to last eyelet on the top. By tying your skates further down your ankle, you could try the double-cross or lock lacing technique along with this method.
Final thoughts on how to lace Hockey Skates
Although there are only two more common lacing techniques, both allow you to combine other methods depending on your preferences. Some players prefer tight skates, while others enjoy a more loose feel, but there are certainly less common methods out there.
We hope you’ve learned how to lace your hockey skates or – at the very least – a new method you’ll be using going forward. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us in the comments! We also encourage you to share your favourite skate lacing techniques!