We all have been taught how to tie our shoelaces, but we rarely talk about how to lace our shoes. However, I find it very useful since it can take your footwear game to a whole other level. Today I will discuss five easy methods how to lace sneakers.
There are several possible ways to lace sneakers, but I have got the easiest ones for you. Each of them has its own value, from basic and functional to stylish and casual. So here is a list of five easy methods how to lace sneakers.
- Cross-Lacing Method
- Straight Lacing Method
- Under Pattern Lacing Method
- Straight Bar Lacing Method
- Loopback Lacing Method
Lacing your sneakers differently is a great way to personalize them. The way you lace up your sneakers can totally change your look. Let’s see how?
Cross Lacing Method
Cross lacing is the most common way to fasten shoes, including sneakers. That might be the reason why your sneakers are not falling off. The cross-lacing method is a heart way to hold your sneaker in place.
Let’s see how this method works:
- Step 1: Place a sneaker in front of you in such a way that the toe is away from you. Consider the holes on the toe side as bottom eyelets and the holes towards the heel side as top eyelets.
- Step 2: You will need to insert the laces downwards through the bottom eyelets. Insert each aglet (the ends of the lace) from inside of the right and left eyelets (the opposite facing holes). Leave equal length on both sides of the lace.
- Step 3: Now, you need to work in a diagonal direction. Take the left aglet and insert it from inside through the second eyelet on the right side of the sneaker.
- Step 4: Do the same for the right side of the lace. Take the right aglet and insert it from inside through the second eyelet on the left side of the sneaker. It should make a cross.
- Step 5: Continue lacing the sneaker until you reach from bottom to top. (Considering toe as bottom and heel as top). Make sure to insert the lace from inside or downwards of the holes.
- Step 6: Make a bow, and you are done!
Most of the shoes come with cross lacings as it is a mainstream shoe lacing style. You may prefer this method if you don’t want your sneakers to attract attention and just be functional. I always go for cross lacing style when confused with lacing since it is simple, basic, and easy to do. If you are unsure which shoelace style to opt for, you can also try this out.
Straight Lacing Method
The straight lacing method is mostly used for closed-lace dress shoes. This lacing style makes your shoes look neat and clean.
You will see the laces moving from one eyelet to another on top of the shoe, while underneath, there is a zigzag pattern that keeps your shoes tight. But, first, let’s see the steps you need to follow for the straight lacing method.
- Step 1: Place your shoe in a way that the toe is away from you, considering the toe part as bottom and the heel part as the top.
- Step 2: Take the left aglet (one end of the lace) and insert it through the right top hole from the upper side. There should be less lace on the right side. So, Move the lace enough so that only a little bit remains on the right side.
- Step 3: Now, take this aglet (left end of the lace) and insert it from inside through the last bottom hole on the left.
- Step 4: Again, take the left aglet and insert it upside through the last right bottom hole in a straight line.
- Step 5: Bring it out. Insert it again from inside through the second last hole on the left bottom side.
- Step 6: Again, insert it in a straight line from upward through the second last bottom hole on the right bottom side.
- Step 7: Continue moving the lace until you reach the top holes. Finally, you will have a little lace on the left top side. Now tie them together.
Under Pattern Lacing Method
Apart from sneakers, you can also use this method for your dress shoes and trainers. The start of this method is similar to the cross-lacing method. However, instead of inserting the aglets from inside, you will need to insert both the aglets from the upside.
Let’s see how it goes.
- Step 1: Place your shoes as mentioned above.
- Step 2: Take both the aglets and insert them from upside through both bottom eyelets (right and left holes at the bottom). Leave equal length on both sides. Once both sides are even, you can begin with the diagonal pattern going to the next set of eyelets.
- Step 3: Take the left aglet and insert it from inside through the second right eyelet at the bottom.
- Step 4: Do the same with the right aglet. Insert the right aglet from inside through the second left eyelet at the bottom.
- Step 5: Both aglets have changed the side. What now is the right aglet, insert it from inside through the next left eyelet.
- Step 6: Do the same with the now left aglet.
- Step 7: Continue the process until you reach the top.
Most classic shoes like Air Force comes with under-pattern lacing. As a result, they give good fitting to your shoes. To enhance the look of your shoes, you can re-do them neatly, but make sure to lace both shoes in the pattern and the same direction.
While lacing your sneakers, if you notice something looking untidy, you might have made a mistake. Therefore, you need to re-do your sneaker from scratch to make them look good since Consistency is the key in this method.
Straight Bar Lacing Method
The straight bar lacing method might be ideal for you if you prefer neat and uncluttered laces. Since in this method, laces move from eyelet to eyelet horizontally from bottom to top of the sneaker. All the extra lace gathers at the top of the shoe, allowing you to tie the sneaker just like you normally do.
The straight bar lacing method gives your shoes a neat look. It will give an elegant look to your sneakers, especially if you apply this method with white laces. But make sure your sneakers have an equal number of eyelets before using this lacing method; otherwise, it will look messed up.
It is a little more tricky style than other lacing methods, so you need to do it carefully. Let’s see how this method goes:
- Step 1: Place your shoes straight.
- Step 2: Insert both aglets from upside moving downward in the sole through the bottom two eyelets. Leave equal length on both the right and left sides of the lace.
- Step 3: Take the left aglet and insert it from inside through the second right hole at the bottom. Move it upwards, pointing to the ceiling.
- Step 4: Take the right aglet and insert it from inside toward the ceiling through the third left-side hole. You need to skip the second hole on the left side.
- Step 5: Now take the aglet, which is now on the right side, cross it over, and insert it from upside through the second hole (which was skipped) on the left side. This creates a second straight line.
- Step 6: Now, both your aglets are on the left side. Take the aglet you just inserted in the skipped hole, and insert it from inside through the fourth hole on the left side.
- Step 7: Do the same with the left side lace, cross it over, and make a third straight bar. Insert it from upside moving inside the sole through the third hole on the right side.
- Step 8: Continue the process until you reach the top of the shoe.
You can watch this video to see how the straight bar lacing method works if you have any trouble understanding it.
The straight bar lacing method is also called street lacing or fashion lacing, as it’s cool and casual. It’s a loose lacing style allowing your feet to breathe comfortably. The straight bar lacing method has a lot of work going below the eyelets instead of the top of the shoe.
The only drawback I see with the straight bar lacing method is that you cannot pull the laces to tighten your sneakers.
I prefer the straight bar lacing method only for casual shoes, even though it can be used on sneakers for casual use. However, I wouldn’t recommend this method when running or working out in sneakers since you cannot tighten them for a secure lockdown.
Loopback Lacing Method
With the loopback lacing method, you can up your sneaker game to another level. In this decorative style, you will loop the laces together straightly in the center of the shoe.
I recommend using colorful laces that contrast your shoe color to make the style stand out more. The loopback lacing method works opposite to the cross lacing method; let’s see how!
- Step 1: Place your sneakers straight.
- Step 2: Take both the aglets (left and right end of the lace) and insert them from inside (above the tongue in the direction toward the ceiling) through the bottom eyelets. Then leave an equal length of lace on the right and left sides.
- Step 3: Take both the aglets and make a diagonal with the left and right sides of the lace. Now wrap them around each other. You will see a loop will be created. Make sure the loop is at the center of the shoe above the tongue.
- Step 4: You will notice that both the left and right sides of the lace will return to their original sides. Now take the aglets and insert them from inside through the next open eyelets. In this way, the loop will be secured.
- Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each eyelet. Continue crossing the right and left sides of the lace to make loops at the center of the shoe and secure the loops through the next open eyelet.
- Step 6: Once you reach the top of the shoe, make a knot, and you are done with loopback lacing.
Loopback is a cool way to lace your sneakers compared to other basic patterns. Adding it to your sneakers will make them look unique and something you wouldn’t see very often.
The loops in the middle of the shoe look great, making it one of my favorite lacing methods. If you need help understanding how loopback lacing works, here is a video that may help.
Lacing Methods for Other Shoes
Apart from sneakers, you can also use these lacing methods for your other shoes. Here is a brief overview of which lacing method suits which kind of shoe.
| Types Of Lacing Methods | Which Shoes To Use On |
|---|---|
| Cross-Lacing | -Casual shoes -VANS -CONVERSE -Desert boots -Hiking boots |
| Straight Lacing | -OXFORD shoes -DERBY shoes |
| Under Pattern Lacing Method | -Trainers -Dress shoes |
| Straight Bar Lacing Method | -Formal shoes -CONVERSE -OXFORD shoes -DERBY shoes |
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