5 Ways To Tie Sperrys - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow 5 Stylish and Secure Ways to Tie Sperry Laces PDF download Download Article Learn to tie the barrel knot, tassel knot, chain knot, and more Co-authored by Neepa Sikdar and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: January 6, 2026 Fact Checked

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  • Barrel Knot
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  • Tassel Knot
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  • Chain Knot
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  • Surgeon’s Knot
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  • Fishtail
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This article was co-authored by Neepa Sikdar and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger, BA. Neepa Sikdar is a Personal Stylist and the Founder of Accessible Style. With 18 years of fashion experience, she specializes in working with female leaders to develop their style through personal styling, brand styling, and online styling. She also coaches women on personal style through her membership program. Neepa has worked with brands such as Nordstrom and J. Crew and has been featured in publications such as Business Insider. She holds a BS in Economics and English from Rutgers University and trained in styling through Fashion Institute of Technology. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,042,691 times.

Most Sperrys have leather laces, which can be difficult to keep tied tightly with a normal shoelace knot. But don’t worry—we have plenty of other options for secure (and stylish) ways to tie your Sperrys or boat shoes. The most common knot to use on Sperrys is the barrel knot, also known as a sailor's knot. Or, mix it up with a cool tassel knot, an easy-to-untie chain knot, or a practical surgeon’s knot. We’ll give you clear, step-by-step instructions on these lace-tying methods and more!

Lacing Sperry Boat Shoes: Quick Barrel Knot

Visual steps for tying a barrel knot on a Sperry’s boat shoe.
  1. Fold one side of the lace to form a loop.
  2. Twist the loop tightly.
  3. Wrap the tail around the loop 5 times.
  4. Push the tail end of the lace through the loop.
  5. Pull the knot tight.
  6. Repeat on the other lace.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Tying Sperry Laces With a Barrel Knot

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 1 Fold the lace to form a loop. Take one side of the lace in your hand. Fold the lace of either shoe in your hand. Fold the lace over itself to create a loop close to the eyelet. Leave a 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) tail on the end of the loop.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 2 Twist the loop. Pinch the top of the loop with one hand and use the other to hold the base of the loop securely in place. Then, twist the loop tightly.[2]
    • You only have to twist the loop once, but some people like to twist it more for a tighter knot. That’s fine as long as you leave a space at the top of the loop. The hole in the loop needs to be large enough for the lace to pass through.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 3 Wrap the tail 5 times around the loop. Keep holding the loop in one hand to keep the twist in place. Use the other hand to wrap the tail end of the lace around the base of the loop 5 times.[3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 4 Insert the end of the lace through the loop and pull. Thread the end of the lace through the hole in the top of the loop. Pull the end of the lace tightly with one hand, and use your other hand to push the knot towards the shoe.[4]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 5 Repeat on the other side. Tie a barrel knot in the other lace. Then, repeat for the laces on the other shoe!
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 6 Trim the laces. If the laces are uneven, dragging on the floor, or just look too long, you can trim them. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut off the excess from the leather laces.
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Section 2 of 5:

Tying Sperry Laces With a Tassel Knot

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 1 Cross the laces. Create an “X” with your laces by placing the left lace on top of the right lace. Bring the left lace under the right lace. Pull the laces in opposite directions.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 2 Tie a square knot. Take the left lace in your left hand and the right lace in your right hand. Make sure the right lace is on top of the left lace.[5]
    • Bring the right lace under the left lace. Pull it back over the left lace.
    • Bring the left lace under the right lace. Pull it back over the right lace.
    • Tighten the knot by simultaneously pulling evenly on each lace.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 3 Form a loop with the left lace. Fold the left lace over itself to form a loop at the base of the square knot. The loop should be approximately 1 in (2.5 cm) long. Hold the base of the loop between the thumb and index finger of your non-dominant hand.[6]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 4 Wrap the tail around the loop 2 or 3 times. Grab the tail with your dominant hand. Wrap the lace tightly around the loop 2 to 3 times.[7]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 5 Tuck the end in the loop and pull. Thread the end of the lace through the loop. Pull tightly on the lace.[8]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 6 Repeat on the right lace. Create a tassel on the right lace using the same process. Trim the ends if needed.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 7 Tie the other shoe. Create two tassel knots on the other Sperry.
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Section 3 of 5:

Tying Sperry Laces With a Chain Knot

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 1 Make a loop with your left lace. Uncross your laces. Grab the left lace with your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand make a ½ inch loop in the middle of your left lace. Hold the base of the loop with your left hand.[9]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 2 Create a second loop and thread it through the first loop. With your dominant hand, create a second ½ inch loop above the first loop. Push the base of the second loop halfway through the first loop.[10]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 3 Pull the lace tight and move the knot towards the eyelet. Insert the thumb of your non-dominant hand into the second loop. Grab the tail with your dominant hand. Pull the loop and the tail in opposite directions. Push the knot towards the eyelet.[11]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 4 Create another loop and thread it through the second loop. Use your dominant hand to make a third loop above the second loop. Bring the loop under and through the second loop.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 5 Thread the end through the third loop and pull tight. Take the third loop in your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, thread the end of the lace through the loop. Pull tight to create a link of chains.
    • Evenly space the links by hand.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 6 Repeat with the right lace. Complete the process of tying a chain knot with the right lace. Try to make the chains as even as possible.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 7 Tuck the ends into the shoe. Pull the left chain horizontally to the right. Lift the right flap and tuck the left lace’s end into the shoe. Position the right chain above the left chain. Pull the right chain horizontally to the left. Lift the left flap and tuck the end of the right lace into the shoe.[12]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 8 Tie the other shoe. Create a chain knot on the other Sperry.
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Section 4 of 5:

Tying Sperry Laces With a Surgeon’s Knot

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 1 Create a left-over-right starting knot. Cross the left lace over the right lace. Wrap the left lace over and under the right lace. Pull both laces tightly in opposite directions.[13]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 2 Make a loop with the left lace. Bend the left lace (now located on the right side of the shoe) over itself to form a 1 in (2.5 cm) loop. Position the base of the loop next to the starting knot.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 3 Circle the loop with the right lace. Grab the right lace (now located on the left side of the shoe). Bring the right lace in front of the loop. Complete the circle around the base of the loop by bringing the right lace to the front.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 4 Insert the right lace into the circle you created and pull. Make a small loop in the right lace. Insert the top of the loop through the circle you created. Pull the loop loosely through the circle.
    • Up to this point you have completed a standard shoelace knot.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 5 Wrap the right loop around the left loop again. Bring the right loop over and around the left loop. Insert the right loop through the circle once again.
    • Personal stylist Neepa Sikdar says you can also use the bunny ears method for this. Make two loops, like bunny ears, and cross them over each other, leaving a hole where they cross. Cross the right loop inside of the hole, then the left loop, and pull it tight.[14]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 6 Pull tightly on the loops. Grab the right loop with your right hand and the left loop with your left hand. Pull tightly on the loops in opposite directions.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 7 Tie the other shoe. Tie a surgeon’s knot on the other Sperry.
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Section 5 of 5:

Tying Sperry Laces With a Fishtail

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 1 Thread the laces through the eyelets in parallel lines. Insert the left lace into and through the bottom left eyelet. String the left lace through the top left eyelet. Insert the right lace into and through the bottom right eyelet. String the right lace through the top right eyelet.
    • The laces between the two eyelets should be visible on the outside of the Sperry.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 2 Cross the laces and pull them down towards the tip of the shoe. Lay the left lace over the right lace. Lay the laces flat with the ends towards the tip of the Sperry.[15]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 3 Loop the left lace over the right parallel line. Thread the left lace up and over the right parallel line. Pull it tight.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 4 Loop the right lace over the left parallel line. Thread the right lace up and over the left parallel line. Pull it tight.[16]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 5 Loop each lace up and over the opposite parallel line 3 times. Pull the laces up and over the opposite parallel lines 3 times each.[17]
    • Pull the left lace (now on the right side) up and over the left parallel line.
    • Pull the right lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line.
    • Pull the left lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line.
    • Pull the right lace (now on the right side) up and over the left parallel line.
    • Pull the left lace (now on the right side) up and over the left parallel line.
    • Pull the right lace (now on the left side) up and over the right parallel line.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 6 Tuck the ends into the shoe. Insert the left lace into the shoe. Tuck the right lace into the Sperry.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Tie Sperrys 7 Tie the other shoe. Create a fishtail on the other Sperry.[18]
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References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/CfDwhaRgxQI?t=6
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/CfDwhaRgxQI?t=11
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/yaClDdCVjKg?t=16
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/CfDwhaRgxQI?t=29
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/622i1C3Q2dw?t=12&feature=share
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/622i1C3Q2dw?t=21&feature=share
  7. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/shorts/622i1C3Q2dw?t=24&feature=share
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/622i1C3Q2dw?t=33&feature=share
  9. ↑ https://www.sperry.com/blogs/articles/how-to-tie-sperrys-the-boat-shoe-lacing-guide
More References (9)
  1. ↑ https://www.sperry.com/blogs/articles/how-to-tie-sperrys-the-boat-shoe-lacing-guide
  2. ↑ https://www.sperry.com/blogs/articles/how-to-tie-sperrys-the-boat-shoe-lacing-guide
  3. ↑ https://www.sperry.com/blogs/articles/how-to-tie-sperrys-the-boat-shoe-lacing-guide
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z1FQdj3qrXI?t=2&feature=share
  5. ↑ Neepa Sikdar. Personal Stylist. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.sperry.com/blogs/articles/how-to-tie-sperrys-the-boat-shoe-lacing-guide
  7. ↑ https://www.sperry.com/blogs/articles/how-to-tie-sperrys-the-boat-shoe-lacing-guide
  8. ↑ https://www.sperry.com/blogs/articles/how-to-tie-sperrys-the-boat-shoe-lacing-guide
  9. ↑ https://www.sperry.com/blogs/articles/how-to-tie-sperrys-the-boat-shoe-lacing-guide

About This Article

Neepa Sikdar Co-authored by: Neepa Sikdar Personal Stylist This article was co-authored by Neepa Sikdar and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger, BA. Neepa Sikdar is a Personal Stylist and the Founder of Accessible Style. With 18 years of fashion experience, she specializes in working with female leaders to develop their style through personal styling, brand styling, and online styling. She also coaches women on personal style through her membership program. Neepa has worked with brands such as Nordstrom and J. Crew and has been featured in publications such as Business Insider. She holds a BS in Economics and English from Rutgers University and trained in styling through Fashion Institute of Technology. This article has been viewed 1,042,691 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 12 Updated: January 6, 2026 Views: 1,042,691 Categories: Tying Shoelaces Article SummaryX

To tie your sperrys in a barrel knot, make a loop using the left lace and twist it. Wrap the tail of the lace around the loop 5 times, then thread the end of the lace through the loop and push the knot down towards the shoe. Finish by repeating the same process on the other 3 laces. For tips on how to tie a tassel knot or a surgeon's knot, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Stephen Querry

    Stephen Querry

    Jul 17, 2022

    "Answered my question (how to make barrel type knot) but then taught me several other cool knots - same purpose but..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Neepa Sikdar Co-authored by: Neepa Sikdar Personal Stylist Click a star to vote Co-authors: 12 Updated: January 6, 2026 Views: 1,042,691 Stephen Querry

Stephen Querry

Jul 17, 2022

"Answered my question (how to make barrel type knot) but then taught me several other cool knots - same purpose but..." more Virginia McQuade

Virginia McQuade

Jul 9, 2017

"My Sperrys had just unraveled and this handy video had me making a barrel knot 1-2-3. Thanks for the video." Herb Utsmells

Herb Utsmells

Aug 22, 2016

"The instructors made it really easy, especially because it was easy to finish the knot." John Archer

John Archer

Jun 6, 2016

"Really helpful. I've gotten 3/5 methods right, and the surgeon knot is my favorite." Anonymous

Anonymous

Aug 19, 2016

"The description was clear, and the visual aids definitely added lots to that." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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