Shoelaces for Dr. Martens
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Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye boot): 55 inch laces; 1461 (3-eye shoe): 30 inch. Best fit: measure your current lace tip to tip.
Which Spiffy length to buy
- Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye boot): 55 inch.
- Dr. Martens 1461 (3-eye shoe): 30 inch.
Kids / youth sizes: 1460 (8-eye boot) 45 inch, one length down from the adult pick; 1461 (3-eye shoe) 30 inch, our shortest. Kids' shoes vary: measure the old lace if you can. Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye boot), men’s 12+ / women’s 13.5+: Bigger sizes spread the eyelets further apart; if you double knot, take 65 inch. Dr. Martens 1461 (3-eye shoe), men’s 12+ / women’s 13.5+: Bigger sizes spread the eyelets further apart; if you double knot, take 45 inch.
What the published charts say
Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye boot)
Stock laces: 137 cm (54 in) from one chart.
| Chart | Stock length (cm) | Stock length (in) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lace Lab size chart | 137 cm | 54 in |
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This chart gives 137 cm (54 in). We take the middle of the published charts and round up to the next Spiffy length, because a lace a little long still ties and a lace too short doesn't. That gives 55 inch (140 cm).
Dr. Martens 1461 (3-eye shoe)
Stock laces: 76 cm (30 in) from one chart.
| Chart | Stock length (cm) | Stock length (in) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lace Lab size chart | 76 cm | 30 in |
This chart gives 76 cm (30 in). We take the middle of the published charts and round up to the next Spiffy length, because a lace a little long still ties and a lace too short doesn't. That gives 30 inch (76 cm).
Only one chart we checked, Lace Lab’s, lists Dr. Martens, so measure your current lace if you can before ordering. These are stock lengths from lace retailers’ charts, not manufacturer specifications.
How many eyelet pairs
Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye boot): 8-eye boot (Dr. Martens). Dr. Martens 1461 (3-eye shoe): three-eyelet shoe (Dr. Martens). Count the holes on one side of your own shoe, and count only the pairs you will lace.
Shoe size
Eyelet count matters most, but shoe size matters too: bigger sizes spread the same eyelets further apart, and some models add a pair in larger sizes. Sources: Pear Shoelace length guide (eyelet-spacing chart) and Slickies Laces (Old Skool: 7 or 8 pairs).
Three ways to measure Dr. Martens laces
1. Measure the original lace
Remove one lace, lay it flat and measure end to end including the tips. Keep that length if its bow fits; if it falls between our sizes, take the next Spiffy length up.
2. Count the pairs you use
Count one side of one shoe. For a shoe we don’t list, our size chart decides by shape: adult low-tops (up to 3 pairs: 30 inch, 4–6 pairs: 45 inch, 7 pairs: 55 inch, 8 pairs: 55 or 65 inch (55 if your current lace is 54 inch or shorter), 9–10 pairs: 65 inch); adult high-tops (up to 3 pairs: 30 inch, 4–6 pairs: 45 inch, 7 pairs: 55 inch, 8 pairs: 55 or 65 inch (55 if your current lace is 54 inch or shorter), 9–10 pairs: 65 inch); adult dress shoes (up to 3 pairs: 30 inch, 4 pairs: 30 or 45 inch, 5–6 pairs: 45 inch, 7–9 pairs: 55 inch, 10 pairs: 65 inch); boots (up to 3 pairs: 30 inch, 4–6 pairs: 45 inch, 7 pairs: 55 inch, 8–10 pairs: 65 inch). Eyelet spacing and your bow can change the result.
3. Thread string through your route
Lace a piece of string exactly as you wear the shoe, include enough at each end for the bow, then remove and measure it. This catches skipped pairs, heel-lock loops and unusual spacing that a model-name chart misses.
Check the other length
Compare 30 inch and 55 inch. Double knots, large bows, straight-bar or ladder lacing can require more; skipped pairs or tucked ends can require less. Do not buy 65 inch if your measured route needs more than our longest size.
Shop 30 inch laces · Compare 55 inch laces
Main shoelace length chart · Lacing styles
Questions & answers
What length shoelaces for Dr. Martens?
Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye boot): 55 inch. Dr. Martens 1461 (3-eye shoe): 30 inch. Kids / youth sizes: 1460 (8-eye boot) 45 inch, one length down from the adult pick; 1461 (3-eye shoe) 30 inch, our shortest. Kids' shoes vary: measure the old lace if you can. Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye boot), men’s 12+ / women’s 13.5+: Bigger sizes spread the eyelets further apart; if you double knot, take 65 inch. Dr. Martens 1461 (3-eye shoe), men’s 12+ / women’s 13.5+: Bigger sizes spread the eyelets further apart; if you double knot, take 45 inch.
How many eyelet pairs does Dr. Martens have?
Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye boot): 8-eye boot (Dr. Martens). Dr. Martens 1461 (3-eye shoe): three-eyelet shoe (Dr. Martens). Count the holes on one side of your own shoe, and count only the pairs you will lace.
How do I measure replacement laces for Dr. Martens?
Measure an original lace end to end including tips, or count the used pairs and compare the chart. For a heel lock, skipped holes or a different lacing pattern, thread string through that exact route and measure it with bow allowance.
Vans, Old Skool, Sk8-Hi, Converse, Chuck Taylor, Nike, Air Force 1, Dunk, Jordan, adidas, Samba, Gazelle, Campus, Superstar, Stan Smith, New Balance, HOKA, Brooks, Dr. Martens, Puma and Reebok are trademarks of their respective owners. Spiffy Laces is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by them. Lengths are fit suggestions from published retailer charts, not manufacturer specifications.