How to Lace Uniform Boots

Uniform boots must always be kept clean and unscuffed, even "no polish" boots.

The crisp precision of military dress doesn't just come from the uniforms themselves. Part of what creates the unified look is in the small details of how each piece of the uniform is worn. Current military standards call for boots with seven or nine pairs of eyelets, in different colors and configurations based on the service and the circumstances. But all branches of the military use the same left-over-right lacing pattern for boots -- and the same standards for how the boots must be worn.

Things You'll Need

• Combat uniform pants
• Combat boots
• Boot laces

Instructions

1. Close the drawstring of the pants leg around your ankle, and tie off with a bowknot. Blouse the pant leg evenly and tuck up the bowknot and any hanging lacing into the pant leg. Repeat for the other leg.

2. Pull on your unlaced boots and tuck your pant legs down into them. The hem of the pant legs should not fall past the third eyelet from the top of the boots.

3. Insert one end of the bootlace through the right eyelet nearest the toe, moving from the outside inward. Repeat with the other end of the lace through the matched eyelet on the left side. Pull the lace snug and ensure the ends are even. Insert the right end of the lace through the next left eyelet. Cross the left end of the lace over the top of the right bootlace, and up through the second right eyelet. Repeat this crisscrossing, keeping the left lace on top, through the third pair of eyelets.

4. Thread the end of the left-hand boot lace up from the third eyelet to the fourth eyelet on the same side. Do the same with the lace on the right. This ease in the lacing makes it easier to flex the ankle while walking, running or climbing.

5. Lace the boots the rest of the way to the top eyelet in a crisscross pattern, with the left lace always on top of the diagonal cross. When the top of the boot is reached, pull the laces snug, but not tight, and secure with a half-hitch knot.

6. Wrap the ends of the boot laces around the back of the boot between the sixth and seventh eyelet, and pull taut around to the front again. Secure the laces with a bowknot, and then tuck the knot and any hanging laces into the top of the boot under the blousing of the pant leg.

7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for the other boot. Both boots should be laced with the left lace laying atop the right. Many people when lacing sneakers or boots will have the laces on the different shoes mirror one another, but military standard calls for the left lace to always be on top.

References

• U.S. Army: Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia
• U.S. Air Force Uniform Regulations
• Navy Working Uniform Pictures

Resources

• The Rope People: Bow Knot
• The Rope People: Half Hitch Knot