FIND YOUR PERFECT LACING!
Why Lacing Matters
Proper boot lacing significantly impacts performance, influencing comfort, safety, and longevity. Here are some key reasons why it matters:
- Improved Control : Proper lacing holds your foot in the correct position, which reduces unnecessary movement.
- Enhanced Comfort : Good lacing minimizes friction and movement inside the shoe, contributing to a more comfortable fit.
- Increased Mobility : Lacing works with the shoe’s tongue, allowing your foot to move freely while being well-supported.
- Greater Durability : Proper lacing helps distribute weight and pressure across the shoe, aiding overall longevity.
Shoe lacing techniques can be divided into two main categories:
Instep Lacing : This method focuses on securing the Instep area for better support.
Wrapping Lacing : This technique involves wrapping the lace around the loops or hooks to achieve a tighter and more secure fit.
Instep Lacing
OUT ➔ IN
Reasons to use this method
- Reduces direct pressure on the instep.
- The laces “lock themselves” at each intersection, making them tighter and more secure.
- The laces are less likely to come loose, even when moving or exerting force.
- This lacing method hugs the foot evenly, increasing both control and comfort.
How to lacing:
- Start at the toe of the boot and lace from the outside to the inside of the eyelet (OUT ➔ IN).
- As you lace, slowly pull the laces out to the side and down to secure them.
- While it may feel strange initially, with continued use, it will become second nature.
Warning: Keep laces flat, not twisted
When lacing your shoes, make sure that the laces are flat and not twisted or tangled. Twisting the laces can:
- Make the laces slippery and not fit properly.
- The laces tend to stretch or become loose during use.
- Increase the chances of the laces wearing out or breaking faster than usual.
Keeping the laces flat throughout the laces will help extend the life of the shoe and provide more stability when wearing it.
Using Lace Tabs and Positioning Lace Crosses Properly
It is important to use the lace tab in conjunction with the proper lace cross to ensure a snug fit and comfort and to prevent the tongue from slipping out of position.
The lace tab is a small loop or lock on the boot's tongue. Its function is to hold the tongue in place. The lace is threaded through the lace tab during lacing.
Proper usage principles:
- Thread the lace through the lace tab to hold the tongue in place.
- Align the lace cross point in the center of the tongue at all levels.
Benefits of using lace tabs with centre cross:
- The tongue of the shoe is in the correct position and does not slip while moving.
Increases tightness and balance. - The lace distributes pressure evenly across the instep.
- Increases the durability of the lace and reduces the chances of loosening or premature wear.
All GH Skates boots are also designed with a second lace tab at the bottom of the tongue, essential for increasing comfort while wearing and moving.
The function of the lower lace tab:
- Prevents the tongue from rubbing against the toes, which may occur during skating, especially in poses that require forceful toe-toeing.
- Enhances the stability of the tongue by working with the laces to keep the tongue in the correct position throughout use.
Increases comfort and reduces pressure on the forefoot, allowing you to skate longer without pain or irritation
Wrapping Lacing
Why GH Skates recommends 360° Wrap lacing?
The 360° Wrap lacing technique increases the tightness and stability of the skates by wrapping the laces around the hooks from the top before crossing them as usual. This technique not only locks the foot in place but also enhances the shoe's support for pressure with every movement.
Advantages of this lacing:
- More secure : The laces wrap around the hooks, providing a more secure grip on the foot than if hooked straight in.
- Enhances shoe structure : Pulling the laces from the top helps pull the shoe together, tight but not squeezing.
- Reduces pressure on the hooks : The hooks are not subjected to too much direct pressure, reducing the chances of damage.
- Smooth movement : The laces' “V” crossover allows the knee and ankle joints to function fully.
- Extends the shoe's life: The force is evenly distributed, not pressed on any one point
How to tie the 360° Wrap with GH Skates
- Once the midfoot laces are finished,
- Pull the laces up to the front of the tongue of the shoe.
- Wrap the laces around the hooks from the top, not hooking them straight in.
- Cross the laces and pull them until they are snug. Repeat each level until reaching the top hook.
Adjust the “V” pattern for more flexibility.
Some Skater choose to start from the top hook down to the middle hook, which allows the knot to be in a lower position. This lacing arrangement allows more extension or compression to the ankle and knee, making it ideal for moves that require more propulsion or flexibility.
However, there are also different ways to lace a jam skate.
In jam skating (or freestyle/dance skating), some skaters choose not to wrap the lace around the hook entirely or even leave some of the hooks out to increase freedom of movement, especially around the ankle, which is essential for turning, jumping, or other fast-paced movements.Jam Skate lacing characteristics:Tie the laces tight around the instep (instep)Omit the top hook or tie them looser than usual.Reduces tension around the ankle to open up a range of motionAllows more freedom of movement, making them ideal for tricks that require speed and individual control
Jam Skate lacing characteristics
- Tie the laces tight around the instep (instep)
- Omit the top hook or tie them looser than usual.
- Reduces tension around the ankle to open up a range of motion
- Allows more freedom of movement, making them ideal for tricks that require speed and individual control
Tying your shoes may seem like a small thing. However, it can significantly affect a skater’s performance, comfort, and safety. Techniques like the 360° Wrap provide a secure fit and ankle support that’s perfect for those looking for stability in every move. At the same time, the Jam Skate Style offers freedom of movement that’s perfect for a style of play that emphasizes flexibility and agility.
At GH Skates, we believe there’s no “best” way for everyone—but understanding the basics of each technique will allow skaters to tailor it to their own foot shape, play style, and personal feel.
Because lacing correctly is the starting point for every confident step.