Quick Release Ladder Lacing

To speed up the removal of tall boots with many eyelets, this lacing only needs a couple of simple steps to release the top row, then the rest of the lacing loosens instantly.
NOTE: The following instructions are split into two stages – which look quite different.
Stage 1: “Lacing” shows how to actually run the laces through the eyelets.
Stage 2: “Tightening” shows how the slack lacing transforms into a tight ladder.
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Lacing Technique – 8 Pairs – Stage 1: Lacing
(See also Stage 2: Tightening)
• Begin straight across on the outside (grey section) and in through the bottom eyelets.
• The left (blue) end runs straight up on the inside, then straight across on the outside.
• Both ends run straight up on the inside, each skipping one eyelet and emerging two eyelets higher up.
• Both ends continue straight across on the outside and in through the adjacent eyelets.
• Alternate running up on the inside and across on the outside until all but the top two rows have been laced. Those rows will only be used during the Stage 2: Tightening instructions.
Features
Comfortable
Very fast to loosen
Slower to tighten
27% longer ends (approx.)
Notes
This method was named “Quick Release Ladder Lacing” for two reasons: Firstly because of the resemblance to regular Ladder Lacing and secondly because of the similarity between the “quick release” action and the way a “ladder” forms in a damaged stocking.
Sports / Military Advice
Quick Release Ladder Lacing has an additional benefit for sporting or military use: The quick-release feature allows a boot to be more easily removed from a broken, sprained or otherwise injured ankle or foot.
Note that most military forces have regulations for just about everything, so I'd recommend that military personnel check before they adopt this – or any other – possible non-regulation lacing method!
Quick Release Ladder Lacing Gallery



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Quick Release Ladder Lacing Video
Shoelace Lengths for Quick Release Ladder Lacing
Pairs of eyelets: | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Length needed: | (N/A) | 70 cm 27 inch |
73 cm 29 inch |
92 cm 36 inch |
96 cm 38 inch |
115 cm 45 inch |
118 cm 47 inch |
Lengths available: | (N/A) | 27" | 27" | 36" | 36" | 45" | 45" |
NOTE: These are approximate shoelace lengths for using this lacing on an average sized sneaker. For more accurate lengths, use the Shoelace Length Calculator.
Comparative Length
Shorter shoelaces needed than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing.
Longer ends if existing shoelaces are re-used (+27% on average).
Visitor Feedback
Your Quick Release Ladder lacing is wonderful.
I tried it for the first time today and it just works so easily. When undone I get the maximum gap of my boots and my feet exit and enter painlessly, and it really is quick to tie and undo.
– Jeff L., Apr-2021
I'm pretty sure i've tried half the lacings on the site. Eventually---after getting lace burn on the outside of index fingers---i settled on quick release ladder lacing. Until my girlfriend couldn't stand the time it took to lace my boots. Now i'm on military, but i'm about to try quick tight.
– Jacob, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Oct-2020
I love this for my Red Wing boots, They have speed hooks on the top two holes, so I can set up the ladder on the lower 6, “knit” the rungs together and use the speed hooks at the top. I don't have to untie the knot, just cinch and hook. I am considering a variation where the top is bare cord and the knot is on the bottom rung, but it would be harder to set up initially.
(Then, in a subsequent follow-up e-mail...)
The knotting at the bottom for “Quick Release Ladder Lacing” works very well. The ladder brings the knot to a normal instep height and I can easily use the speed hooks to tighten the boot. It is tricky to lace and get the initial knot at the right tension, but once done, it's done.
– Glenn B., Sep-2020
Your method proved very helpful and as a result the UK military had adopted this as part of our procedures. It was very helpful and I can’t thank you enough.
Many thanks from all at the RAF Fire Service.
– Shaun K., Royal Air Force Fire & Rescue Service, UK
If you'd also like to send feedback, please Contact Ian.
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