Hockey is an intense sport that involves quick movements, sharp turns, and sudden stops. Properly lacing your hockey skates can make all the difference when it comes to your performance on the ice. If you’re new to skating or just want to improve your technique, this article will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to lace your hockey skates for a comfortable fit.
Everyone’s feet are different, so it’s essential to know how to adjust your laces accordingly. Tighter laces might provide more support but can also lead to discomfort. Loose laces may result in blisters or slippage inside the skate.
“Skating is not just about looking good on the ice; it’s about finding a balance between comfort and performance.” – Unknown
In this post, we’ll explain different lacing methods so that you can find the one that works best for you. We’ll also cover tips and tricks for maintaining your skates and ensuring they fit correctly. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the rink or trying skating out for the first time, reading through this guide could elevate your game and make your ice time more enjoyable!
Choosing the Right Laces
Material Matters
The first thing to consider when lacing your hockey skates is the material of the laces. Hockey skate laces are often made from either waxed or non-waxed materials. Wax laces offer more durability and grip, making them an ideal choice for players who require a tighter fit on their skates. Non-waxed laces, on the other hand, tend to be softer and more flexible, which can make them easier to tie but also less durable over time.
Length Considerations
Another important factor to keep in mind when choosing laces for your hockey skates is length. The length of your laces will depend on both the size of your skates and how you prefer to lace them up. As a general rule, junior skates will require laces that are between 72″-84″ long, while adult skates typically need laces measuring between 96″-120″. Some players may prefer shorter or longer laces depending on the tightness they want around the ankle and foot area of the skate, so it’s important to experiment with different lengths to find what works best for you.
Color and Style Options
While not necessarily essential for performance, color and style options can still be important considerations when looking for hockey skate laces. Many brands offer a range of color choices, allowing players to match their laces to their team colors or just add a pop of personality to their skates. Additionally, some laces feature specific designs, such as spiral patterns or reflective strips, which can improve visibility on the ice.
The key to choosing the right laces for your hockey skates is considering what features are most important for your individual needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize durability, length, appearance, or all of the above, there is a lace out there that will meet your requirements.
Starting the Lacing Process
Clean Your Shoes
The first step to lacing your hockey skates is to ensure they are clean and dry. Use a soft cloth or towel to wipe away any dirt or moisture from the inside and outside of the skate.
Cleaning your skates helps to prevent bacteria, which can cause unpleasant foot odor, from forming in the skate’s lining. Additionally, removing build-up from sweat and other debris will help your laces hold better.
Loosen the Laces
To start lacing your hockey skates, you need to loosen the laces completely so that you can easily slide your foot in and out of the skate. This also makes it easier to adjust the fit once you’ve put on the skates.
Start at the top of your skate and work your way down, untying each knot as you go. Once all knots are undone, tug gently on the sides of the tongue or push it away from the toe box to create a wide opening for your foot.
Start at the Bottom
Now that your shoes are clean and your laces are loosened, it’s time to start lacing up! Begin by threading the lace through the bottom eyelet (the one closest to the toes) on each side of the skate.
Pull the laces tightly but make sure that you’re not overtightening them – there should be enough room to wiggle your toes. Once you have a comfortable snugness in place, tie the first knot in the middle of the skate.
“One of the biggest mistakes when lacing up ice skates is pulling too tight on the lower part.” -Graeme Mountjoy, Skate Specialist at Sportchek
Continue lacing up the skate, making sure to go through each eyelet on both sides of the shoe until you get to the top. When tying your final knot at the top of your ankle, give your laces a good tug to make sure they are secure.
- Ensure that your knots aren’t too big as they may cause pressure points on your feet and constrict blood flow.
- If you have extra lace after tying your knot, tuck it into the side of your skate or tie a small bow to keep it out of the way.
- Never double-knot your laces when skating – if necessary; use tape or a different fastening mechanism.
Your hockey skates should now be snug on your feet without being overly tight. It’s essential to check the fit every so often during play for optimum comfort, performance and safety.
The Importance of Proper Lacing
Lacing is a crucial factor in determining how well your skates will perform and feel. Properly laced skates can provide better stability and support while maximizing overall function.
A common mistake is to overtighten the skate towards the toe area where most of the foot’s bend occurs, causing discomfort, pain, and sometimes numbness. Pressure on the tops of the toes causes more problems than benefits and restricts movement, impacting balance.
“There is an art form to getting them on Tightly secured Skates provide optimal control, especially when performing quick movements”. -Derek MacKenzie, NHL center-forward
To prevent injuries arising from poorly fitting or laced skates, educate yourself on proper lacing techniques, buying quality shoes that fit right, and checking regularly for precise positioning and fit.
Proper lacing techniques can provide you with the necessary performance, comfort, safety and pleasure on ice. Go out there; take an effort to do it right! Good luck!
Cross-Lacing Method
When it comes to lacing hockey skates, there are several methods available for players. One of the popular and common techniques is cross-lacing.
Basic Cross-Lacing
The basic cross-lacing technique involves interweaving the skate laces in a diagonal pattern through each eyelet from bottom to top. It is essential to ensure that the tension on the lace remains firm while lacing up your skates.
To start with, thread one end of the skate lace into the first or bottom-most eyelet from inside out. Then take the other end of the shoelace and thread it through the opposite or adjacent eyelet from outside inwards.
Afterward, make sure you pull both ends of the shoelace tightly and evenly so that it fits snugly around the foot. Continue alternating between threading one end of the shoelace under and over the other until all eyelets on the boot are covered.
Double Cross-Lacing
A slight variation of the basic cross-lacing method is double cross-lacing. As the name suggests, the only difference here is that everything done twice.
Start by threading both ends of the shoelace from the bottom most eyelet forming two loops at the base level. From the second row of holes or eyelets, cross the loops diagonally such that they emerge from the next horizontal hole. Repeat this process till the last eyelet on the boot. This method ensures maximum control and stability when skating.
Loop-Back Cross-Lacing
This type of lacing method is best suited for players who have ankle problems as it adds an extra layer of support to ankles. With every crisscross component involving wrapping the laces back, it leaves some slack for ankle maneuverability but reduces the risk of leg and feet injuries.
Begin by crossing both ends of the shoelace from inside-out over each other to form an X shape. Now loop the left end of the skate lace through the first nearest top eyelet on the right side, inserting upward from underneath then overhead backwards on itself, forming a knot above the eyelets. Repeat this process with the right end looping in below and backwards on itself finally forming a knot at the second nearest eyelet on the left side.
Now diagonal run your laces downwards leaving one blank hole till you reach the bottom-most holes then crisscross them again while still tying backwards as you head upwards. The process should be repeated until all rows are corded comfortably and even.
Straight Bar Lacing
The straight bar lacing technique is ideal when looking for effortless adjustability, tensioning and less tightness around the toes. This may provide more movement comfort and a looser feel across the front of the instep compared to central vertical lacing methods.
To perform straight bar lacing, begin threading from the outside towards the interior direction into the bottom-most hole such that both ends meet up inside the boot. Grab your right end, interweave it across and hence outward via the neighbouring hole located on the same row of eyelets.
Take hold of the opposite or left-end, thread over and then out through neighboring lace-free hole located directly across angling inward. Procure the right end; insert under the closest horizontal lace section emerging down through a nearby lace-free space beside it.
- If done correctly, the left end proceeds similar to the previous holding beneath the adjacent crosses running trickily outward before re-emerging using mid-air.
- The pattern follows in alternating diagonals towards the topmost eyelets without crossing over till both ends finally meet at the collar.
- Finally, create a knot by tying the two ends together as you desire and tuck them inside the skate tongue or tie them around the back of your shin guard.
“How you lace hockey skates can affect how well you will be able to move on the ice. Lacing can help prevent injuries, promote comfort and provide stability.” -Dr. Zoë Bennion (Sports Chiropractor)
When it comes to lacing up hockey skates, there are several methods available; however, they all share a common goal- providing maximum ankle support and control. Whether you go with the basic cross-lacing, double cross-lacing, loop-back cross-lacing, or straight bar lacing technique mentioned above, ensure it fits snugly but not too tight while offering both flexibility and mobility for your ankles.
Ankle Lock Method
Cross-Lace the Bottom
The ankle lock method is a popular way of lacing hockey skates that adds extra support and stability to your ankles during play. To start, cross-lace the bottom two eyelets of your skate by threading the lace through the eyelet on the opposite side and pulling tightly. This will create an X shape across the lower part of your foot.
It’s important to ensure that the laces are pulled tight but not so tight that they cause discomfort or restrict movement.
Loop the Laces Around the Ankle
Next, loop the laces around your ankle, starting at the third eyelet from the top and finishing with the second-to-top eyelet. Make sure that each time you loop the laces, you pull them tight and adjust accordingly. The loops should be snug against your ankle without being too restrictive.
This process creates a cinching effect that locks your ankle in place and provides added support while playing aggressive styles of hockey. It also helps prevent injuries such as rolled ankles or sprains by providing additional stability where it counts most – around the ankle area.
“When I started using the ankle lock method, it completely changed my game. I felt more confident on the ice, especially when fighting for loose pucks along the boards.” -Derek Roy, former NHL forward
Implementing these simple techniques can make all the difference in terms of comfort, support, and overall skating performance. With a little practice and some adjustments if needed, you’ll be lacing up like a pro in no time!
Toe-Tightening Method
Lacing your hockey skates properly is crucial for providing the support and comfort you need on the ice. One of the most important parts of lacing up is toe-tightening. In this guide, we will explore different methods to tighten your skate toe and improve your game’s performance.
Basic Toe-Tightening
The basic method of toe-tightening involves threading the lace through all the eyelets in the usual criss-cross manner until reaching the two bottom eyelets closest to the toe of the skate. Then, loop each end tightly around both hooks, pulling them away from each other before tying them securely over the tongue of the skate.
If you find that the toe area of your skates are still too loose, you can try double-knotting the laces or re-lacing using a tighter method such as the criss-cross method discussed below.
Toe-Relief Lacing
“When I began playing seriously, nothing was more uncomfortable than ill-fitting equipment, especially my skates.” -Bobby Hull
The toe-relief lacing technique is an effective one for those with wider feet who may find regular lacing styles too tight or constricting in the toe box. This method involves bypassing the last eyelet altogether and lacing directly into the topmost middle eyelet, which helps ease pressure off the toe region without compromising on overall ankle and foot stability.
Criss-Cross Toe-Tightening
“If you’re going to be trying to stop 200-pound forwards, you’d better have a lot of steel on the ice” -Gary Bettman
The most popular and highly recommended method for ensuring a snug and secure fit in the toe area of your skate is the criss-cross tightening method. It involves crossing the laces over each other in an “X” pattern at the ankle section, and then bringing them down to tightly hook onto the lower eyelets for maximum compression without cutting off circulation.
Once you have reached the bottom hooks, loop each end back around itself before tying it securely. This allows for additional pressure control over both the toe and ankle regions while retaining full support and stability throughout the entire footbed.
Toe-Tightening for Wide Feet
“Hockey players have fire in their hearts and ice in their veins” -Unknown
If you find that your skates are still too tight across the toes even after trying various tightening methods, you can try using waxed or heavy-duty laces which help distribute pressure more evenly than thinner ones. Additionally, loosen up the upper parts of your lacing to allow for greater forefoot expansion as well.
You can also experiment with different lace tension patterns once you reach the midsection of your boot; for example, skipping every other set of eyelets will create more space and flexibility around the toe box region while keeping the rest of the shoe intact.
Finding the right fit may require some trial and error but correctly utilizing proper lacing techniques like these – especially when focusing on tightening the toe area- will significantly enhance your overall hockey game experience.
Final Adjustments for Comfort and Performance
After lacing up your hockey skates properly, the next step is to make sure they fit comfortably and provide optimal performance. Here are some final adjustments you can make:
Check for Tightness
It’s important to check the tightness of your skate laces throughout the game or practice, as they may loosen up over time. You don’t want them so loose that your feet move inside the skates or so tight that they cut off circulation.
To adjust the tightening of your skates, use the loosening mechanisms built into the skate. These generally include a pull tab on the back of the skate or top of the tongue. Loosening these will allow for more room in the skate while tightening it will help secure your foot further. If you find yourself having difficulty finding the right balance between snug, but not too tight, try re-lacing the bottom half of your skate to alleviate pressure across the top of your foot while still ensuring adequate ankle support.
Adjust for Arch Support
If your arches aren’t sufficiently supported, you might experience discomfort or pain during extended periods of skating. Thankfully, there are various ways to adjust your skates for better arch support:
- Get custom-made insoles designed especially for hockey skates with an emphasis on arch support
- Position foam pads under the bottom of your boot where your arch would be located
- Add insertable arch supports, such as SuperFeet Carbon, which can give extra stability and shock absorbency
Ensure Proper Fit
The last crucial aspect of ensuring maximum comfort and performance is to ensure that your skates fit perfectly (not too big, not too small). Here are a few guidelines to help you get the right fit:
- Your toes should touch the end of the boot but without feeling smashed
- The rest of your foot shouldn’t feel tight or constricted
- Your heel should be comfortably and securely locked into the back of skate boot.
- You should have enough ankle support for smoothly transferring energy from your leg movements into the skates.
- When trying on new hockey skates, walk around with them; they might require some break-in time before taking ice in performance mode.
Making sure that your equipment fits appropriately enhances your ability to perform effectively on the ice. Consider going to an experienced fitter if you’re uncertain about getting the correct pair of skates or wondering how to lace your hockey skates properly.
“A well-fitted skate will provide comfort and protection on heels, ankles, arches, and toes.” – SHOEBACCA.com
Once all of these adjustments are made, step onto the rink with confidence knowing that your skating experience will not only maximise power and control but will also prevent injuries coming across your way. Skating is one of the most fun exercises that teaches agility, discipline, strength and fitness but it demands equal importance of gears as body.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different ways to lace hockey skates?
There are several ways to lace hockey skates, including the traditional criss-cross method, the parallel lacing method, and the double-runner method. The traditional criss-cross method provides the most support and stability while the parallel lacing method allows for more flexibility. The double-runner method is ideal for those with wider feet or high arches. Experiment with each method to find the one that works best for you.
How can you determine the best lacing pattern for your feet?
When determining the best lacing pattern for your feet, consider your foot shape, arch height, and any areas of discomfort. If you have a high arch, try the parallel lacing method. If you have wider feet, try the double-runner method. If you experience discomfort on the top of your foot, try skipping a few eyelets. Experiment with different patterns until you find the one that provides the most comfort and support.
What is the proper way to tie a knot at the end of your laces?
The proper way to tie a knot at the end of your laces is to create a loop with one lace and wrap the other lace around it twice before threading it through the loop and pulling tight. This creates a secure knot that won’t come undone during play. Avoid tying a double knot, as it can be difficult to untie and may cause discomfort.
What are some tips for keeping your skates snug and secure while playing?
To keep your skates snug and secure while playing, make sure to tie them tightly and evenly. Use waxed laces, as they won’t stretch or come undone as easily as regular laces. Consider using lace bite pads to prevent discomfort and irritation on the top of your foot. Finally, check your laces periodically throughout the game to ensure they haven’t come loose.
How often should you replace your skate laces?
You should replace your skate laces at least once a season, or more often if they become frayed or lose their elasticity. Waxed laces tend to last longer than regular laces, but they should still be replaced periodically. Always have an extra pair of laces on hand in case one breaks during play.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when lacing hockey skates?
Common mistakes to avoid when lacing hockey skates include skipping eyelets, tying the laces too loosely, and using regular laces instead of waxed laces. It’s also important to make sure the tongue of the skate is centered and flat to prevent discomfort and uneven pressure. Finally, do not tie your laces too tightly, as this can restrict blood flow and cause discomfort.