By Jayden Mark
You work boots can make a big difference to the performance of workers; hence choosing the right one for the right job is important. Many factors make shoes stand out, but none does this better than having a shoe with the right eyelets. An eyelet is a hole they punch into a shoe’s upper to enable threading through.
The type or style of work boot determines whether or not they need reinforcing with metallic or plastic based rings. Some shoes don’t rip off or fray easily, and they include dress shoes or sneakers because they are made from leather. On the other hand, work boots made from canvas or related materials need reinforcement because they are prone to fraying. Double eyelets are better that a single rim because they spread out the stress over both the inner and outer walls of the fabric.
Functions of Eyelets
Types of Eyelets
There are four types of eyelets namely:
Hooked Eyelets
Ice skates, hiking or work boots, are perfect examples of boots that bear hooked eyelets. They are also found in some casual footwear and appear within the last few rows of eyelets. Compared to other types, they are easy to lace because they are attached to a conventional punched eyelet. The wearer can either thread the laces through or wind them around the hooks.
Webbed
Webbed eyelets feature much smaller loops of material sewn into the shoe’s upper; the laces are threaded through. You’ll mostly find webbed eyelets in cycling, dance, and lightweight shoes. If you pull onto the laces too tightly or used them heavily over time, they will rip off since they are made of fabric.
Punched
If you wear dress shoes or sneakers, then you’ve seen punched eyelets. Although they are the most popular of the four types, many people understate them hence their appropriateness for standing shoes. They are punched into the shoe’s upper and reinforced with metalic or plastic rings, but they too can rip when used for a longer time.
D-Ring
Now, these are extremely heavy duty eyelets designed for work boots or other heavy duty footwear. They are the opposite of webbed eyelets, and very few shoes have them. They offer a more customized fit because they are added to the last few rows toward the ankle for extra firmness.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Eyelets
When selecting eyelets consider the factors below:
How to Set a Work Boot Eyelet
You need a variety of tools and machines to set a boot’s eyelet. The best technique is a hammer and a hand setting tool. The two types of equipment are easy to find particularly in local hardware or craft stores. However, if you are setting the eyelets in large quantities in a uniform and quick manner, consider using heavy setting machines, pneumatic auto-feed light duty machines or simple hand press machines.
If you are setting by hand, begin by punching a hole in the fabric and insert the eyelet using a barrel pointing up. Make sure the flange side is on the side that will show on the material then insert the setter equipment at the end of the barrel and tap it using a hammer. You should keep tapping until the barrel rolls over flat onto the fabric.
With modern technology, a new generation of eyelets has set in giving variety from the old-known nickel or utilitarian types. Nowadays, you can spot light-weight aluminum craft eyelets which are much easier to set. Also, these new generation eyelets are available in many shapes and colors and are ideal for any craft project that needs the eyelet’s simple beautification and practical application.
Eyelets attachment strength is tested in footwear labs using a tensile testing machine. They get a specimen from the footwear. Metal eyelets are tested for corrosion using a Standard Salt Spray Testing. All this is to ensure eyelets serve you better and longer. So next time you want to lace up, just take a moment and appreciate the role these eyelets play in giving you comfort and value.
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