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31 Different Ways To Lace Shoes
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My diagrams are all drawn as though looking from the front of the shoe, such that the lower part of the lacing is
at the bottom of the diagram, and are colour-coded to make it easier to follow where the lace runs. Generally, the
start of the lacing is grey, whilst the lace end that starts on the left side is blue and the end that starts on
the right side is yellow. For colour-blind visitors, Blue=Dark=Left, Yellow=Light=Right.
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 Criss Cross Lacing
This is probably the most common method of lacing normal shoes and boots. The laces simply criss-cross as they work
their way up the shoe. |
FEATURES:
 Traditional
Simple to lace
Comfortable
 Corrugates shoe |
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Over Under Lacing
A variation of Criss Cross Lacing that alternates between running over and then under. It's my own preferred method
for most of my shoes & runners. |
FEATURES:
 Ian's favourite!
Decorative
Faster & easier
Less wear & tear |
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Straight (European) Lacing
This traditional method of Straight Lacing appears to be more common in Europe. The laces run straight across pairs
of eyelets and diagonally underneath. |
FEATURES:
Shortens ends
Neat on top
Messy underneath |
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Straight (Fashion) Lacing
Often referred to as "Bar Lacing" or "Lydiard Lacing", this variation of Straight Lacing eliminates the underlying
diagonals, which looks neater plus relieves pressure on the top ridge of the foot. |
FEATURES:
Neatest looking
Slightly difficult
Only for even pairs of eyelets (eg. 6, 8) |
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Straight (Lazy) Lacing
This is a "lazy" variation of Straight (Fashion) Lacing where one end runs straight from bottom to top whilst the
other end steps through the eyelets. |
FEATURES:
Neatest looking
End lengths shift
Only for even pairs of eyelets (eg. 6, 8) |
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Bushwalk / Cycling Lacing
An inside-out version of Straight (Fashion) Lacing, which distributes pressure evenly plus keeps the knots & ends
to the side, away from either snagging undergrowth or from bicycle chains & cranks. |
FEATURES:
Evens out pressure
Reduces snagging
Looks messy |
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Sawtooth Lacing
This variation of Straight Lacing has all of the angled underlying sections pulling the same way, which shifts the
sides of the shoe out of alignment. Of dubious merit, perhaps only to correct an otherwise ill-fitting shoe. |
FEATURES:
Easier to tighten
Mis-aligns sides
Modifies fit |
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Shoe Shop Lacing
Commonly used by shoe shop assistants because it's so fast to lace new shoes, this method is another "lazy"
variation of traditional Straight Lacing. |
FEATURES:
Lazy way of lacing
Shortens ends
End lengths shift |
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Display Shoe Lacing
Shoe stores often use this reversed version of Criss Cross Lacing on their display shoes in order to end up with
the lace ends neatly tucked away inside. |
FEATURES:
Neat display shoe
Easier to loosen
Harder to tighten |
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Ladder Lacing
This distinctive lacing, which looks just like a ladder, is also useful for "shortening" long lace ends. U.S.
paratroopers and ceremonial guard units wear jump boots with white ladder lacing. |
FEATURES:
Neat & distinctive
Shortens more
Harder to tighten |
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Double Back Lacing
Although terribly awkward to tighten, this method looks interesting, holds very firmly, and can also be used if
you're desperate to shorten long lace ends. |
FEATURES:
Shortens more
Stays very tight
Terribly awkward |
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Bow Tie Lacing
So named because the outline resembles the shape of a bow-tie, this method makes the most efficient use of lace and
thus is useful for "lengthening" short lace ends. |
FEATURES:
Lengthens ends
Comfort "zones"
Loose fit |
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Double Helix Lacing
This method was invented and patented by Monte Fisher for faster lacing of boots. See Monte's own beautifully
animated web site: http://www.lukefisher.com/lacing |
FEATURES:
Decorative
Fast & easy
Less wear & tear |
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Double Cross Lacing
This blend of Over Under Lacing and Hash Lacing creates overlapping "crosses", which can also be woven into the
most intricate "macrame". |
FEATURES:
Decorative
Harder to tighten
If woven, very tricky to tighten |
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Hash Lacing
When used on modern boots and runners with a wide gap and many eyelets, the result resembles a diagonal series of
hash "#" symbols. |
FEATURES:
Decorative
Shortens ends
Harder to tighten |
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Lattice Lacing
Great for boots and runners with a wide gap, this very popular method forms a neat woven lattice in the middle of
the lacing. |
FEATURES:
Very popular!
Very decorative
Shortens more
Harder to tighten |
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Zipper Lacing
Though awkward to tighten, this lacing holds very firmly, making it great for lacing skates tightly. It also looks
interesting, a bit like a giant zipper. |
FEATURES:
Decorative
Holds very firmly
Harder to tighten |
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Riding Boot Lacing
Often referred to as "Bal-Lacing", this method is specifically for riding boots (motorbike or equestrian) in which
the part that is tightened and loosened is at the middle of the boot (near the ankle). The laces zig-zag from
both ends and fasten in the middle. |
FEATURES:
Unusual layout
Neat appearance
Specific use only |
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One Handed Lacing
As an alternative to the One Handed Shoelace Knot, this way of lacing
eliminates the need to even tie a knot by leaving one end loose.
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FEATURES:
Handicapped use
Surprisingly easy
Loose fit |
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Segmented Lacing
This variation divides the lacing into two or more "segments", each of which can be laced up as tightly or loosely
as necessary to achieve a comfortable yet secure fit for "difficult" shoes or feet. |
FEATURES:
Customisable
Many uses
Looks messy |
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Knotted Segment Lacing
A more attractive though less flexible variation of Segmented Lacing in which a knot makes the lower segment of
shoelace permanently tighter or looser. |
FEATURES:
Customisable
Many uses
Harder to get foot into shoe |
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Hidden Knot Lacing
By hiding the knot underneath, the result is an uninterrupted series of straight "bars" that looks particularly
distinctive on dress shoes or basketball shoes alike. |
FEATURES:
Very distinctive
Tricky to tie knot
Slight discomfort |
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Bi-Colour Lacing
By popular request, here's a way of lacing to end up with two different colour laces alternating up the shoe,
exactly like my bi-colour illustrations. |
FEATURES:
Very decorative
Work required
Slight discomfort |
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Double Lacing
Another way of ending up with two colours is to use two laces. These are interwoven up the shoe, ending up with
four lace ends that can then be tied creatively. |
FEATURES:
Very decorative
Creative options
Needs new laces |
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Checkerboard Lacing
This interwoven lacing forms an attractive 2-colour checkerboard pattern that looks fantastic on today's wide
fronted runners. |
FEATURES:
Most popular!
Very decorative
Slip-on or off
(no knot required)
Loose fit |
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Loop Back Lacing
Each side loops back on itself down the middle, rather like when two springs become intertwined. However, those
loop-backs tend to shift off-centre. |
FEATURES:
Decorative
Laces wear more
Centreline shifts |
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Knotted Lacing
Adding an overhand knot at each crossover increases friction and keeps the lacing much firmer. Ideal for tightening
ice skates, rollerblades, etc. |
FEATURES:
Keeps lacing tight
Assists tightening
Harder to loosen |
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Twistie Lacing
Like a combination of Loop Back and Knotted Lacing, the laces are twisted together with a vertical overhand knot at
each crossover before continuing to the other side. |
FEATURES:
Decorative
Keeps lacing tight
Harder to loosen |
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Roman Lacing
Alternating X-I-X-I on top of the shoe, which looks a little like Roman numerals. It's most effective on dress
shoes where the sides of the shoe meet in the middle. |
FEATURES:
Decorative
Great on dress shoes
Harder to tighten |
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Footbag Lacing
Footbag players use this lacing to open up the front of their shoes, making it easier to catch or otherwise control
the footbag (or "Hacky Sack"). |
FEATURES:
Great for Footbag Freestyle
Less binding
Distorts shoes |
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Lock Lacing
Often referred to as "Lace Locks", this is not a lacing method as much as a technique for creating a super-tight
finish. It's often recommended for lacing running shoes to help prevent heel slippage. |
FEATURES:
Tightens firmly
Reduces slippage
Harder to loosen |
Ian's Shoelace Site
Lug Lacing Methods
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