Ice skating is a fun and exciting activity, but it can also be dangerous if you are not wearing your ice skates properly. One of the most important aspects of wearing ice skates is lacing them correctly. Most people don’t know how to lace ice skates.
Lacing ice skates the right way can greatly improve your performance on the rink. Whether you are getting ready for recreational figure skating or hockey, properly lacing and adjusting your skates is one of the most crucial factors in gaining better control and stability when you’re on the ice.
In this article, we will give you the easiest guide to lacing ice skates in just six simple steps. Also, we will go over some common mistakes that most beginner skaters make.
6 Steps – How To Lace Ice Skates?
Ice skating is a fun activity for people of all ages. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned skater, lacing your ice skates properly is crucial for your safety and performance.
Here are the 6 simple steps to tying ice hockey skate laces like a pro:
Step 1: Prepare Your Skates
Before you lace hockey skates:
- Sharpen your ice skate blades so they are in good condition and free from rust.
- Check to make sure the tongue of your skate is properly attached and secure.
- Tighten the screws and bolts on your skates if necessary.
- Place the skates on a flat surface with the tongues facing upwards.
Step 2: Start At The Bottom
Begin lacing at the bottom of your ice skate, leaving the last two eyelets empty. This will allow you to adjust the tightness of the ankle and provide a more secure fit. Start lacing your skates by pulling the laces up and through the bottom eyelets. Pull tight to ensure that the laces are snug.
Step 3: Work To The Middle
Now, begin working your way up the skate. Starting at the bottom eyelets, lace your skates in an alternating pattern until you reach the middle of the skate. Be sure to pull tight on the laces for a more secure fit. As you move up, make sure that each eyelet is evenly spaced and not too tight or loose. This will allow for better ankle support and a more comfortable fit.
Step 4: Cross The Laces
Crossing the laces is an important step of tying skates laces. This helps provide more support and stability in the ankle area, making it easier to maneuver on the ice. To cross the laces, take one lace and bring it over the other, creating an X-shape. Then, pull the laces tight to ensure a secure fit.
Make sure that the laces are not too tight or loose and that they go through evenly spaced eyelets. Continue this pattern of crossing and threading the laces through the eyelets until you reach the last two.
Step 5: Secure The Ankles
When you reach the last two eyelets, go around each eyelet and pull tight. Here, you can adjust the tightness of your ankle for more support and stability. And again, make sure the laces are not too tight or loose.
Step 6: Tie The Laces
The last step is to tie the laces. This can be done in a variety of ways: looping, knotting, or making bunny ears.
Read more: How Tight Should Hockey Skates Be?
Looping is probably the most common method and is done by simply looping both laces around each other in a knot-like manner. Knotting is another secure way of tying your laces and is done by looping the laces several times before pulling tight.
Lastly, the bunny ear method creates two loops and then intertwines them in a knot. This is a faster way of tying your laces, but not as secure as the other methods.
Bonus Step: Safety Check
Here, you are completely done with the correct lacing of your figure skates. Before heading out on the ice, it is important to do a quick safety check. Make sure that all of the laces are securely tightened and that none of them have come loose. Double-check to ensure the tongue is properly secured and your ankle support is tight. Also, check that the blades of your skates are free from rust and any other damage.
Read more: How To Turn Around On Roller Skates?
Why Lacing Ice Skates Properly Is Important
Lacing ice skaters is very important in several ways. First of all, it keeps your feet secure in skates. The second feature aims to spread weight evenly across the skating surface for smooth and safe movement. It is especially helpful for protecting your ankle from falling when skating.
If you do not properly tie your skateboard, your ankles can be injured while skating. Getting caught in the ice can result in serious injuries. In addition, if the weight is distributed across a skateboard, it is easier for the player to move and moves slower and smoother.
Read more: Are Skate Shoes Good For Walking?
Dos Of Lacing Ice Skates
The following are some of the things you should do when lacing ice skates:
Choose The Right Lacing Technique
Figure skaters have a variety of proper lacing techniques to choose from, depending on their preference and foot shape. Some skaters prefer the traditional criss-cross lacing method, while others prefer the parallel lacing method, where the laces run parallel.
Experiment with different lacing techniques to find the one that provides the most comfortable and secure fit.
Check and Adjust The Fit After Lacing
It is important to make sure that the laces are not too tight or too loose. Too much tension can lead to achy feet, while too little tension can cause the feet to slip around in the skates. Check and adjust the fit of your laces after you have finished lacing them up so that your feet are comfortable and secure.
Allow Your Feet To Breathe
Open-toed skates offer breathability for your feet. Make sure to wear socks that will allow your feet to breathe, stay dry, and prevent blisters from forming. It is also important to make sure to not tie your laces too tight so that the foot can move freely in the skate. If not, your feet will hurt while skating.
Taking Care Of Your Laces
With this, we mean that you should take care of your laces. You have to keep them clean and free of dirt, oil, and grime. Inspect the laces after each use and replace them if they show signs of wear or tear.
It is also necessary to store your laces correctly by folding or rolling them up and keeping them in a cool, dry place. And make a habit of avoiding yanking or pulling on the laces as this could cause them to break.
Don’ts Of Lacing Ice Skates
Below are some of the things you should avoid when lacing ice skates:
Tying Your Laces Too Tightly
Make sure to not tie your laces too tightly, as this can cause achy feet or even make it difficult to move around in the skates. You should check and adjust the fit after lacing, so that your feet are comfortable and secure. Allowing your feet to breathe is important as well, so make sure to wear socks that provide breathability.
Not Replacing Worn Or Damaged Laces
Sometimes, the laces of ice skates can become worn or damaged and need to be replaced. It that’s the case with you, don’t wait to replace them, as this could be unsafe. Inspect the laces after each use and replace them if they show signs of wear or tear.
Make sure to store them correctly in a dry and cool place. Taking good care of your laces can help you stay safe when skating.
Not Leaving Slack At The Top
You should always leave some slack at the top, so that you can easily tighten or loosen the laces when needed. Not allowing for some slack can make it difficult to adjust the fit of the skate and cause your feet to ache.
Read more: Can Your Skate While Pregnant?
How To Lace Ice Skates: Final Words
Lacing your ice skates for figure skating requires a different approach than lacing them for recreational skating. It is important to choose the right lacing technique, start at the bottom, use the power of the knot, avoid lacing too tight, and pay attention to the tongue and boot material.
Properly laced ice skates can help prevent injuries and provide the necessary support for advanced figure skating maneuvers. With practice, you will find the lacing technique that works best for you and enjoy a comfortable and safe skating experience.
Let us know in the comments if you still have any questions left.
Goodbye & Keep Skating Like A Pro With SkatersDen!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How should ice skates be laced?
The correct way to lace up ice skates is to start at the bottom and work your way up, tightening the laces as you go along. It’s important to make sure the laces are snug but not too tight, as this can restrict blood flow to your feet. Once you reach the top of the skate, tie a knot and tuck any remaining lace inside the skate.
Q: Do you lace skates outside in or inside out?
Lacing skates inside out means starting from the side closest to your toes and going outwards while lacing outside in means starting from the side closest to your ankle and going inwards. Some may argue that one method offers more support, while others may believe the opposite. Regardless of how you lace up your skates, just make sure they feel snug and secure before hitting the ice.