Lacing Your Skates

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What is The Correct Way of Tying Ice Skates:

Whether you are a beginner ice skater or know your way around the skating rink, you should know the importance of correct ice skate lacing. The correct way of lacing is essential to lock the foot in its natural position inside the boot. It allows the boot to work in the most efficient way and guarantees the best performance. It prevents your skating boots from premature wear-out, thus extending their life. And let us not forget about the essential support of your ankles, which prevents your feet from unfortunate injuries and getting tired too soon.

Some Tips That Will Improve Your Ice Skate Lacing:

Unlace the boot all the way down. This way, you will release the tension at the boot and prolong its perfect fit. Do not leave boots laced in a hot place, as they could deform.
Do not wear heavy socks. They will disturb the fit of the skate and distort the feeling of the boot. Go with a pair of trouser sock or knee-highs. Avoid cotton socks, because they will absorb all the moisture from your feet and become uncomfortable.
Keep your ice skates dry. After taking them off, wipe the blade and underside of the boot to dry them out. To avoid the rust, store them with dry soakers on the blades.
If after the lace-up you feel that the skates are too loose, you should redo the lacing. Do not get lazy, as unstable ankles are a direct way to injury.
Figure skates should not be too tight. If you have difficulty bending knees, go back and re-tie them.
Make sure the skate tongue is straight and does not slip under the laces.
Skates must fit properly. If the boot is too big, tight lacing will not improve the skating experience.

Lacing Your Figure Skates Properly:

The heel area is the part of the foot that controls the skate and it is essential

that the heel is kept in place during skating.

For this reason we recommend that rather than even tension throughout the

lace that an ‘egg timer’ pattern is followed as this ensures correct foot position

and maximum flexibility.

At the toe end of lacing the laces should be slightly looser to facilitate toe

movement.

Laces should then be pulled tighter across the instep to keep the heel securely

in place.

This will allow the laces to be looser across the ankle to allow the leg and foot

to bend.

The tighter the lacing here the harder it is to move as the resistance of the boot

is determined by the laces. Our lacing method allows the laces to be looser here.

Once the boot is laced properly you can check the tension by running your fingers

over them, they shouldn’t move.

Follow a crisscross pattern as you run the laces around each hook.

Cross one lace over the other and push it through the hole on the other side.

Do not pull the laces too hard in this section to leave some room for the ankle to flex.

We recommend double bow knot. This will lock the knot and prevent sliding. Cross one lace over the other, run it under and back out to the side twice. Then pull the laces to the side and tighten the knot.There should be no space under the crossed laces.

Do not leave any lace ends and loops hanging or touching the ice. Tuck them inside the tops of the boots or wrap them around the boot. This will prevent the hockey or figure skate blade from catching the bow's loops and keep the top hooks from going loose. Remember, if you want to play hockey or try figure skating the skates should be well fixed.

When taking the boot off loosen the laces ALL the WAY DOWN, so releasing tension off the boot to ensure it maintains its perfect fit.

LACING YOUR SKATES

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