Ask a sales clerk for advice or read the packaging to determine the right boot lace length. If you are getting new laces, measure the laces that came with your boots. The right length depends on a number of factors, including how many eyelet pairs the boot has, the amount of vertical and horizontal spacing between the eyelets, and your desired lacing method. [2] X Research source On average, though, you’ll need 45 inches (114 cm) for 5-6 eyelet pairs, 54 inches (137 cm) for 6-7 eyelet pairs, 63 inches (160 cm) for 7-8 eyelet pairs, 72 inches (183 cm) for 8-9 eyelet pairs, and 96 inches (244 cm) or more for 10+ eyelet pairs. [3] X Research source

Your laces should now be on the outside of your eyelets. For a standard criss-cross lacing method, string your laces through the eyelets, not over the top.

Once you have strung one lace through the next eyelet, repeat with the other. Your laces should now be on the outside of your boot.

If you crossed from left to right for the first eyelet, keep this pattern consistent. If you want your boots to have a symmetrical look, do the opposite for the other boot. If you starting by crossing left over right on one boot, go right over left on the other. Staying consistent not only gives your boots a nice, clean look, but it makes tightening the laces easier.

Depending on how much extra lace you have, you can also wrap your laces around your boots before tying your knot.

If you have an even number of eyelet pairs, you will start by threading the lace through the bottom eyelets from the inside and pulling the laces out. If you have an odd number of eyelet pairs, you will begin by threading the lace straight across the bottom eyelets from the outside in.

Be sure that your diagonal lace runs under your horizontal lace at the bottom, not on top of it. your laces should now have one criss-cross and be on the outside of your boot.

Run your laces through the next eyelet by going outside in. You will now have one horizontal portion of your laces at the bottom eyelet, one criss-cross above it, and two eyelets with your laces running vertically through both. Your laces should be on the inside of your boot now.

Keep the order in which you thread your laces consistent. If you always go right over left, do that for every diagonal lace, and vice-versa if you start left over right.

If you have enough length, you can also wrap your laces around your boot and tie a knot in the front, tucking it behind the tongue.

This method works best on higher boots with a lot of eyelets.

Your laces should now be on the outside of your boots.

Your laces should now be on the inside of your boots.

You’re not threading your lace through an eyelet for this step as you are running the lace horizontally, not diagonally. Instead of threading your lace through an eyelet, thread it through the section of vertical lace on the outside of your boot. Do this for both ends of your laces. You should now have your laces on the outside of your boot.

Always follow the same order you started with. If you laced right over left first, continue in that order.

For this method, the only time your laces go through an eyelet is when you are moving to the eyelet vertically and from the outside in. Once you are the top, your laces should be facing in, on the inside of your boots.