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Comparative Shoelace Lengths
The "Comparative Shoelace Length" on any Lacing Method indicates the approximate difference in the length of shoelace used by that method compared to the length used by Criss Cross Lacing (the basic method with which shoes are usually laced). This allows you to more easily determine how the shoelace length will be affected if you change to a different lacing method.

For example, rather than having to measure your shoe, then enter those measurements into my Shoelace Length Calculator, you can instead tell that a lacing method needs longer laces, or that if you keep the same laces, it will reduce the lengths of the loose ends.

You can also more easily compare lacing methods with each other. For example, one method may use 5% more length, while another may use 10% more.

Comparative Length Example 1
Take a shoe with six pairs of eyelets and with the same dimensions as the size that these diagrams appear on my screen (Horizontal: 35 mm, Vertical: 16 mm). Assuming the "standard" end-length of 250 mm, compare the resulting shoelace lengths.
Criss Cross Lacing
Criss Cross Lacing diagram
Exact calculated lengths:
Criss-Cross-Laced area = 455 mm
2 x Loose ends = 2 x 250 mm
Total shoelace length = 955 mm
Lattice Lacing
Lattice Lacing diagram
Exact calculated lengths:
Lattice-Laced area = 490 mm
2 x Loose ends = 2 x 250 mm
Total shoelace length = 990 mm

Re-use existing 955 mm laces:
Lattice-Laced area = 490 mm
2 x Loose ends = 2 x 232.5 mm
Total shoelace length = 955 mm
In other words, the "Lattice-Laced" area uses about 8% more length than the "Criss-Cross-Laced" area on the same shoe. However, because no extra length is needed for the loose ends, only about 4% longer laces are needed overall.

On the other hand, if you didn't want to replace the shoelaces but instead wanted to keep the existing laces, the extra length would have to come from the loose ends, which would effectively "shorten" each end by about 7%.
Here's how these comparative lengths whould be shown on the Lattice Lacing page:

Comparative Shoelace Length = 108%
Laced area uses more (about +8%)
Longer laces needed (about +4%)
Shortens lace ends (about -7%)

Comparative Length Example 2
In the above example, the lacing method uses more shoelace and thus effectively "shortens" the lace ends. In this example, the lacing method uses less shoelace and thus effectively "lengthens" the lace ends.
Criss Cross Lacing
Criss Cross Lacing diagram
Exact calculated lengths:
Criss-Cross-Laced area = 455 mm
2 x Loose ends = 2 x 250 mm
Total shoelace length = 955 mm
Army Lacing
Army Lacing diagram
Exact calculated lengths:
Army-Laced area = 320 mm
2 x Loose ends = 2 x 250 mm
Total shoelace length = 820 mm

Re-use existing 955 mm laces:
Army-Laced area = 320 mm
2 x Loose ends = 2 x 317.5 mm
Total shoelace length = 955 mm
In other words, the "Army-Laced" area uses about 30% less length than the "Criss-Cross-Laced" area on the same shoe. This results in about 14% shorter laces needed overall. Keeping the existing laces would effectively "lengthen" each end by about 27%.
Here's how these comparative lengths whould be shown on the Army Lacing page:

Comparative Shoelace Length = 70%
Laced area uses less (about -30%)
Shorter laces needed (about -14%)
Lengthens lace ends (about +27%)

Approximations
Note that although these comparative lengths are all based on exact calculations, those calculations are for shoes with the same measurements as the diagrams. If your shoes have a wider or narrower spacing than the diagrams, or if they have a larger or smaller number of pairs of eyelets or lugs, these will change the percentages slightly.

The comparative lengths should therefore be considered as a simple, approximate guide. For more exact comparisons, use the Shoelace Length Calculator.

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This page last updated: 16-Dec-2008. Copyright © 2006-2008 by Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
Related Links
Shoelace Length Factors
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Shoelace length factors diagram - Shoes with Eyelets - Hover over letters for more information
Shoelace length factors diagram - Shoes with Lugs - Hover over letters for more information
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