There are many different ways to lace Doc Martens. It’s even popular to wear them with the laces only through the lower four or so eyelets.
However, to make your boots fit better and feel more comfortable, we recommend the ladder lacing method shown by Eric Evans below.
If you need new laces for your Dr. Martens shoes, you can find them in many colors on Amazon.
1. Put one end of the lace through one of the bottom eye holes from the underside of the hole
Step 1: Start by inserting one end of the lace through the bottom eyelet of the Doc Martens from underneath
2. Drag the lace-up and through the top of the opposite side
Your lace should exit the eye holes through the top of each, and the bottom portion of the lace should be significantly longer than the top portion.
Step 2: Cross the lace diagonally and thread it through the top of the opposite eyelet, leaving the bottom part of the lace longer
3. Return to the bottom portion of the lace
Thread the lace through the opposite side from the top of the eye hole, then bring it back to the starting side.
Step 3: Reverse the lace back to the bottom, threading it from the top of the opposite eyelet
Push the lace through the underside of the next eye hole, then pull to tighten.
Take the lace from the bottom and put it in from the other side
4. Repeat until your boots are laced to the top
Repeat the lacing pattern, alternating sides and tightening as you go until the boot is laced to the top
Unfortunately, Eric removed his video showing how the ladder lacing method is done. However, the below video is just as good.
For more ways to lace your Dr. Martens boots, see below how some celebrities and models tied their Doc Martens.
Model showing off his laced Doc Martens during London Fashion Week on January 6, 2018 (Credit: WENN / Dominic Chan / Euan Cherry / Michael Carpenter)
Kiesa Rae Ellestad, known professionally as Kiesza, showing off her laced Dr. Martens boots while attending WE Day Toronto at the Air Canada Centre on October 1, 2015 (Credit: WENN / Dominic Chan / Euan Cherry / Michael Carpenter)
British singer-songwriter Gabz Gardiner showing off her pink boots with laces through the lower six eyelets at the ITV studios in London on July 3, 2013 (Credit: WENN / Dominic Chan / Euan Cherry / Michael Carpenter)
Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon wearing untied white Dr. Martens boots while leaving the Manhattan Kabbalah Centre in New York City on January 8, 2011 (Credit: WENN / Dominic Chan / Euan Cherry / Michael Carpenter)