Kiltie Boot

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a kiltie on a work boot?

A kiltie is a separate fringed leather tongue flap that lies over the laces. It is sometimes called a false tongue. Its job is to keep debris out of the lace area and protect the laces from abrasion, and on logger boots it also stops sawdust and wood chips working down into the lacing where they are difficult to shake out.

Is a kiltie functional or just decorative?

Genuinely functional, though it has become a style marker as well. On logging and outdoor work it keeps material out of the laces and reduces lace wear, which matters because a lace that fails mid-shift leaves you with a boot that will not hold your heel. On indoor work it does little beyond looking traditional.

Can you remove a kiltie?

On most boots yes, since the kiltie is threaded onto the laces rather than stitched to the boot. Unlace far enough to slide it off and relace. That means you can run the same boot with or without it depending on the work, and you can replace a worn kiltie without replacing the boot.

Do kilties make boots harder to lace?

Slightly, since you thread the kiltie onto the laces as you go, and it adds a step when you relace. It does not affect how the boot holds your foot. Some people find it makes checking lace tension harder because it covers the lacing, which is a fair complaint on boots you adjust through the day.

Which boots typically have kilties?

Logger boots above all, along with heritage and traditional work boots where the look is part of the appeal. You will rarely see one on an athletic work shoe or a modern lightweight boot. See our logger boots range for the boots they most commonly come on.

Do kiltie boots come with safety toes?

Many do, in steel, composite, and alloy, meeting ASTM F2413 for impact and compression, since these are mostly logger and heavy work boots where a rated toe is common. Soft toe versions exist too. The kiltie has no bearing on the rating. Toe type is stated in every product title.

Can you buy a kiltie separately?

Replacement kilties are made and sold as accessories, and because they thread onto the laces rather than attaching to the boot, they fit most lace-up boots with enough eyelets. It is worth checking the width against your boot, since a kiltie sized for a wide logger tongue will look and sit oddly on a narrower work boot.

Kiltie Boot

Frequently Asked Questions

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