How to Lace Ice Skates for Comfort and Control

A skate can be the right size and still feel wrong if it is laced badly. Learn how to lace ice skates properly and you will get a more secure heel, steadier ankle support and better control on the ice - without crushing your toes or cutting off circulation. The aim is not to pull every section as tight as possible. It is to create an even, supportive fit that suits the type of skating you do.

Start with the right fit

Lacing cannot fix skates that are too big, too narrow or the wrong shape for your foot. Before you tighten anything, push your heel all the way back into the heel pocket. Your toes should lightly touch the front when standing upright, but they should not curl. As you bend your knees into a skating position, your toes should usually pull back slightly from the toe cap.

Wear the socks you will actually skate in. Thin, moisture-wicking skate socks are normally the best option. Thick everyday socks can create folds, rub against the skin and make a correctly fitted skate feel too tight. For children, resist the temptation to use very thick socks to fill extra room in a skate. A loose skate allows the foot to move, which reduces control and can cause blisters.

Sit down to lace your skates, with the blade protected by guards or resting safely on a mat. Open the tongue fully and loosen the laces down towards the toe before putting the skate on. Trying to force your foot into a partly laced boot is a quick route to a twisted tongue and pressure points.

How to lace ice skates from toe to ankle

Create a snug forefoot, not a squeeze

Start at the lowest eyelets and work upwards one pair at a time. Pull each section until it is snug across the top of the foot, then move on. The toe area should hold your foot in place without making your toes numb, cold or tingly. You should be able to wiggle your toes a little.

Keep the pressure even from one side to the other. If one lace is pulled much harder than the other, the tongue can drift sideways and press into your ankle. Check it as you go and centre the tongue before continuing.

The middle of the boot, over the instep, is where many skaters accidentally over-tighten. This area needs enough tension to stop your heel lifting, but too much can cause aching across the top of the foot. If you feel pinching after a few minutes on the ice, ease this section first rather than loosening the entire skate.

Lock the heel into place

A secure heel gives you cleaner edges, quicker stops and more confidence when turning. Once you reach the middle eyelets, pull the laces firmly while pressing your heel back into the boot. You want the heel to stay planted when you bend your knees and shift your weight forwards.

If heel lift continues to be a problem, use a simple lace lock at the top two eyelets before the hooks. Instead of crossing straight over, feed each lace end through the next eyelet on the same side to create a small loop. Cross the lace ends through the loops, then pull them tight. This adds grip around the ankle without having to overtighten the whole foot.

It is useful for narrow heels and for skaters bedding in new boots, but it is not a cure for poor fit. If your heel still rises significantly, the boot may be too wide or too large.

Use the ankle hooks with control

Most adult figure skates and hockey skates have hooks at the top. Lace them from the bottom hook upwards, wrapping the lace under and around each hook so it stays in place. Pull firmly at each hook, but do not yank so hard that the boot digs into the front of your ankle.

A good test is to bend your knees as if you are about to push off. Your ankle should feel supported, while your knees can still travel forwards over your toes. If the top is tied like a cast, you may struggle to get into a useful skating stance. If it is too loose, your ankle may feel unstable and your heel can shift.

For many recreational skaters, the lowest ankle hook can be firm and the top hook slightly less tight. That gives support around the ankle while allowing some forward flex. The exact tension depends on your boot stiffness, ankle strength and skating style.

Figure skates and hockey skates need different tension

There is no single lacing pattern that suits every discipline. Figure skates are built to support deep edges, spins and jumps, so skaters often prefer close contact around the heel and ankle. More advanced figure skaters may adjust the top hook tension to achieve the amount of ankle flex their coach recommends. Do not copy a high-level skater’s very tight or very loose setup without understanding why they use it.

Hockey skates need a responsive fit for acceleration, crossovers and sharp turns. Many players like a firm heel lock and a snug midfoot, with enough freedom at the top to bend aggressively through the knees. Some hockey players skip the top eyelet for a little more forward flex. That can work, but it also reduces support, so it is best for skaters who already feel stable in their boots.

For beginners, a balanced, even tension is usually the safest starting point. Avoid skipping eyelets or hooks until you know exactly where the boot feels restrictive. Small adjustments make a bigger difference than radically changing the pattern.

Tie the knot so it stays tied

Once the skate feels right, tie a secure bow rather than a loose single knot. Pull both loops evenly and make sure the bow sits flat against the tongue. If you have long laces, do not wind them around your ankle. Wrapped laces can restrict movement, create pressure and catch on the other skate.

Instead, use a double knot and tuck any spare lace neatly under the laces across the tongue, where it cannot trail near the blade. Check that nothing is hanging down before stepping onto the ice. A loose lace is not just annoying - it is a trip hazard.

Waxed laces can be a useful upgrade for hockey and figure skaters who want tension to stay consistent through a session. Their grippier surface is less likely to slip loose between eyelets and hooks. The trade-off is that they can feel harder to adjust quickly, especially for younger skaters. Standard laces are perfectly suitable for many recreational sessions as long as they are in good condition.

Check your lacing after five minutes on the ice

Freshly laced skates often settle once you begin skating. New boots can soften slightly, and feet can shift as they warm up. After a few laps, step off the ice and assess the fit. Your heel should feel secure, your foot should not slide forwards, and there should be no numbness, burning or sharp pressure.

If your toes are tingling, loosen the lower eyelets. If your heel moves, tighten the middle section and first ankle hook rather than pulling harder at the toe. If the tongue keeps slipping, centre it again and check that each side is laced evenly. Make one adjustment at a time so you can identify what solves the problem.

Parents helping children should check laces before every session. Young skaters may say their boots are fine because they are eager to get on the ice, even when the fit is uncomfortable. Ask whether their toes hurt, whether their heel moves and whether they can bend their knees. Teach them to recognise these signs early and they will build better habits as they progress.

When laces or boots need attention

Replace laces when they become frayed, flattened, stiff with dirt or difficult to keep tied. A lace that snaps during a public session or training block can bring skating to an abrupt stop. Keep a spare pair in your skate bag, particularly for hockey players and regular rink users.

Persistent pain is different from the normal feeling of a supportive boot. Pressure in the same spot every session, numb toes, repeated blisters or major heel movement usually points to a fit issue, a worn insole or a boot that needs professional adjustment. Do not simply keep pulling the laces tighter. The right tension should make the skate feel connected to your foot, not make you count down the minutes until you can take it off.

A well-laced skate lets you focus on the enjoyable part: your first steady glide, a sharper hockey turn, a smoother crossover or a confident family session at the rink. Take an extra minute to get the fit right before every skate, and your feet will thank you when the session runs long.