How to Lace Combat Boots: 6 Methods for Style, Support & Foot Type

Getting your combat boots laced correctly does more than keep them on your feet. The right method improves ankle support, prevents pressure points, and shapes the overall look of your boots. Whether you own a pair of military-grade M77s or classic fashion combat boots, this guide covers six proven lacing methods matched to your needs and foot type.

Why the Way You Lace Combat Boots Matters

Most people lace their boots the same way they have always done it, without considering the real impact on comfort, performance, and appearance.

How Lacing Affects Ankle Support and Comfort

The tension pattern created by your lacing method directly controls how the boot holds your foot. Tight crossovers over the ankle restrict movement and increase support, which is ideal for rough terrain or heavy use. Looser patterns with fewer crossovers, such as army lacing, allow the boot leather to flex more naturally, reducing fatigue during long periods of wear. For people with specific foot concerns such as wide feet, high arches, or narrow heels, adjusting the lacing method makes a measurable difference to daily comfort.

How Lacing Changes the Look of Your Boots

Combat boot lacing is also a deliberate styling choice. The clean horizontal bars of straight bar lacing create a sleek, minimal look suited to fashion-forward outfits. Ladder lacing produces a bold, structured appearance that reads as intentionally military. Criss-cross lacing is the most neutral option and works across casual and smart-casual contexts. If you are styling combat boots for an outfit, the lacing pattern is part of the visual composition, not just a functional detail.

Lace Length Guide by Eyelet Count

Using the correct lace length for your boot is essential before choosing a method. Ladder lacing in particular uses significantly more lace than standard criss-cross, so check your eyelet count first.

Ladder lacing consistently requires longer laces than standard methods. If your current laces feel short when attempting it, try wrapping them around the ankle at the top before tying, or replace them with a longer pair before starting.

Choose Your Lacing Method: Quick Comparison

Before following any step-by-step guide, use this table to identify which combat boot lacing method suits your boots, activity, and foot type.

Criss-cross and army lacing are the two most versatile options for daily UK wear. Ladder lacing suits boots with many eyelets and those who prioritise ankle stability over ease of entry. Straight bar lacing is the choice for anyone who wants a fashion-forward finish on combat boots styled for casual or smart-casual outfits.

How to Lace Combat Boots Using the Criss-Cross Method

Criss-cross lacing is the default method for most combat boots and the best starting point if you are lacing a new pair for the first time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Feed the lace through the bottom pair of eyelets from the inside out, leaving equal length on both sides.

2. Cross the right end over the left and thread it through the second eyelet on the left side, from outside in.

3. Cross the left end over the right and thread it through the second eyelet on the right side, from outside in.

4. Continue crossing the lace ends diagonally upward through each eyelet pair, alternating sides.

5. When you reach the top eyelets or hooks, tie a secure double knot.

6. Tuck any excess lace neatly inside the boot along the tongue.

Tips for Even Tension

Pull both ends of the lace equally after each crossover rather than tightening the whole boot at the end. This distributes tension evenly from toe to ankle and prevents pressure points at the top of the foot. If one section feels looser, re-thread from that eyelet downward before continuing.

Ladder Lacing for Maximum Ankle Support

Ladder lacing is the most secure combat boot lacing method available. It is preferred by military units and paratroopers for its firm hold and distinctive appearance.

When to Use Ladder Lacing

Use ladder lacing when you need maximum ankle stability, such as during outdoor activities, heavy-load carrying, or when walking on uneven ground for extended periods. It is also the best visual choice for tall combat boots with eight or more eyelets. Note that ladder lacing requires longer laces than standard methods and can be more difficult to tighten quickly.

Step-by-Step Ladder Lacing Guide

7. Thread the lace straight across through the bottom eyelets from the inside out.

8. Run both ends straight up along the outside of the boot into the second eyelet from the inside.

9. Cross both ends horizontally across the outside of the boot.

10. Feed each end under the vertical section on the opposite side, then thread upward through the next eyelet from the outside in.

11. Repeat the pattern: horizontal across the outside, then under the vertical and up through the next eyelet.

12. Continue until you reach the top. Tie a secure knot on the inside of the boot or wrap the excess around the ankle before tying.

Do You Need Longer Laces for Ladder Lacing?

Yes. Ladder lacing uses roughly 20 to 30 per cent more lace length than criss-cross. Before buying new laces, test your current pair first. If you own the Pilots aka Hawk Pilot Boots from Buzzastore, the eight-eyelet hook-and-ring system is particularly well suited to ladder lacing. The lace-lock system at the top makes finishing and tightening faster than on standard eyelet boots.

Army Lacing for Stiff Leather Combat Boots

Army lacing was developed to solve a specific problem with combat boots: thick leather does not flex freely under standard criss-cross lacing.

Why Army Lacing Works for Thick Leather Boots

Standard criss-cross lacing holds the sides of the boot together with diagonal crossovers that run across the outer surface of the leather. On stiff or thick leather boots, these crossovers restrict the natural creasing and flex of the material, making the boot feel more rigid and causing discomfort around the ankle during movement. Army lacing moves all crossovers to the inside, leaving the outer sides free to flex. This is why the British, Dutch, French, and Brazilian armies have all adopted this method as a standard approach for their combat footwear.

Step-by-Step Army Lacing Guide

13. Thread the lace straight across through the bottom eyelets from the outside in.

14. Run both ends straight up along the inside of the boot and out through the second eyelet pair.

15. Cross the ends over each other on the inside of the boot.

16. Thread both ends straight up along the outside and into the next eyelet pair from outside in.

17. Alternate between crossing inside and running straight up outside until all eyelets are filled.

18. Tie a standard bow at the top. Army lacing uses less lace than criss-cross, so expect longer loose ends.

Straight Bar Lacing for Wide Feet or Top-of-Foot Pain

Straight bar lacing, sometimes called display lacing or Lydiard lacing, eliminates all diagonal crossovers from the visible surface of the boot and is one of the most popular choices for fashion-forward styling.

How Straight Bar Lacing Relieves Pressure

When diagonal laces run across the instep, they can create a ridge of pressure on the top of the foot during long periods of wear. Straight bar lacing replaces those diagonals with horizontal bars, distributing pressure more evenly across the surface. This makes it the preferred choice for people with wide feet or anyone who experiences discomfort on the top ridge of their foot when wearing combat boots for extended periods. Note that this method only works on boots with an even number of eyelet pairs.

Step-by-Step Straight Bar Lacing

19. Thread the lace straight across through the bottom eyelets from the outside in, pulling both ends even.

20. Feed the left end straight up along the inside to the second eyelet on the left and out through it.

21. Run that end straight across the boot to the opposite eyelet, threading from outside in.

22. Feed the right end (which has been waiting) straight up on the inside, skipping the second eyelet row, and out through the third eyelet on the right.

23. Continue alternating: one end crosses horizontally while the other skips a row on the inside.

24. Tie at the top. The finished surface shows only clean, even horizontal bars with no visible diagonal crossovers.

How to Lace Combat Boots with Hooks and D-Rings

Many military-grade combat boots, including classic Norwegian M77-style boots, use a combination of D-rings at the base and speed hooks toward the top. Understanding the difference changes how you thread the lace.

Understanding Hook vs Eyelet Systems

Eyelets are closed holes through which the lace is threaded directly. D-rings are semi-circular open rings that the lace passes through in the same way as eyelets. Speed hooks are open metal hooks at the upper part of the boot shaft that the lace wraps around rather than threading through. Many boots in the Buzzastore collection use this D-ring and hook combination, which provides faster lacing and removal while maintaining a secure hold at the ankle.

Lacing Through D-Rings at the Base

D-rings function identically to eyelets. Thread the lace from the inside out through the ring loop, then continue with whichever lacing method you have chosen for the body of the boot. The D-ring holds the lace at the same angle as a standard eyelet and does not require any adjustment to your technique.

Wrapping Laces Around Upper Hooks

When you reach the speed hooks, do not thread the lace through them. Instead, wrap the lace under the hook from the inside and then bring it up and over the top of the hook, crossing to the opposite side. This creates a secure hold that can be released quickly by pulling the lace upward off the hooks. Use only round laces on hook systems rather than flat laces, as flat laces can slip off the hooks under tension.

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below address the most common practical concerns about how to lace combat boots.

How long should laces be for combat boots?

For 6-eyelet boots, use laces of 45 to 54 inches. For 8-eyelet boots, 54 to 63 inches covers most standard methods. Add approximately 10 inches to those measurements if you plan to use ladder lacing. When in doubt, opt for a slightly longer lace as excess can always be tucked inside the boot.

Can I use flat laces on hook eyelets?

Flat laces work fine through eyelets and D-rings, but they are not recommended for speed hook systems. Flat laces tend to slip off hooks under tension, particularly after the leather softens with wear. Round laces grip hooks more securely and are the standard choice for military-style combat boots with hook hardware.

What lacing is best for ankle support in combat boots?

Ladder lacing provides the highest level of ankle support of all combat boot lacing methods. It creates a rigid hold around the ankle shaft and minimises lace movement under load. For a balance between support and flexibility, over-under lacing offers good ankle stability while reducing friction and making the boot easier to tighten after putting it on.

How do I lace combat boots for a fashion look?

Straight bar lacing is the most popular choice for fashion styling as it presents a clean, graphic pattern with no visible diagonals. For a bolder military aesthetic, ladder lacing creates a structured, intentional look that pairs well with oversized outerwear or layered outfits. The choice of lace colour also matters: contrasting white laces on black boots is a deliberate statement, while matching black on black reads as understated and versatile.

Why do my combat boot laces keep coming undone?

Laces come undone most often because of a weak knot at the top or because the lace material is too smooth to hold tension. Always finish with a double knot rather than a single bow. If laces continue to loosen, switch to a waxed round lace, which grips itself and the boot hardware more effectively than standard flat laces. Tucking the finished bow inside the boot is the most reliable way to prevent accidental unravelling during active wear.

Final Thoughts

The method you choose shapes both how your boots perform and how they look. For everyday UK wear, criss-cross and army lacing offer reliable comfort. For maximum support, ladder lacing is hard to beat. For fashion-forward styling, straight bar lacing adds a clean, intentional finish. Experiment with two or three methods before settling on the one that suits your boots and your style best.