Ian Fieggen Ian's Shoelace Site Ian's Shoelace Knot
Ian's Shoelace Site - Bringing you the fun, fashion & science of shoelaces

Search This Site
Hash Lacing
Sometimes referred to as "Noughts & Crosses" or "Tic Tac Toe Lacing"
Like Double Cross Lacing, this method is also created by running three steps forward, one step back. The result resembles a diagonal series of hash "#" symbols. There's two variations shown: One with a gap at each end, the other without gaps.
Method 1 (with gaps, shorter laces)
Hash Lacing diagram 1
Faint sections are underneath. Gap at top and bottom are so that all of the crossovers run at the same angle.

Hash Lacing picture 1
With seven pairs of eyelets, this sneaker has a gap at the top and a squashed crossover at the bottom.
Lacing Technique 1 (with gaps, shorter laces)
1. The lace is run straight across the bottom (grey section) and the ends emerge through both bottom eyelets.

2. The ends are crossed over on the outside and are fed in through the set of eyelets three rows higher up the shoe (skip past two sets of eyelets).

3. The ends are run straight down on the inside and emerge through the next lower set of eyelets.

4. Repeat steps (2) and (3), each time crossing over on the outside and going up three sets of eyelets, then running straight down one set of eyelets on the inside, until both ends reach the top eyelets.


Comparative Length = 80%
Laced area uses less (about −20%)
Shorter laces needed (about −11%)
Lengthens lace ends (about +24%)
More details


NOTE:
This method looks symmetrical on shoes with even numbers of eyelet pairs (eg. 8 pairs). When used on a shoe with an odd number of eyelet pairs (such as the sneaker at left), there will be a gap at only one end of the lacing (either the top or the bottom), while the crossover at the other end will appear squashed.
Method 2 (no gaps, longer laces)
Hash Lacing diagram 2
Faint sections are underneath. No gap at top or bottom, which means that the crossovers run at different angles.

Hash Lacing picture 2
Hash Lacing on these Nike XIIs (AirAzn88's) ensures that the "T W O 3" writing is visible.
Lacing Technique 2 (no gaps, longer laces):
1. The lace is run straight across the bottom (grey section) and the ends emerge through both bottom eyelets.

2. The ends are crossed over on the outside and are fed in through the set of eyelets two rows higher up the shoe (skip past one set of eyelets).

3. The ends are run straight down on the inside and emerge through the next lower set of eyelets.

4. The ends are crossed over on the outside and are fed in through the set of eyelets three rows higher up the shoe (skip past two sets of eyelets).

5. Repeat steps (3) and (4), each time running straight down one set of eyelets, then crossing over on the outside and going up three sets of eyelets, until both ends reach the top eyelets.


Comparative Length = 97%
Laced area uses less (about −3%)
Shorter laces needed (about −1%)
Lengthens lace ends (about +3%)
More details


Features:
Decorative look
Harder to tighten


> Recent Photos (sent by site visitors)
Brown & white DC sneakers with brown & white combination of Lattice Lacing and Hash Lacing - Click to enlarge White Adidas sneakers with multi-colored trim and yellow Hash Lacing - Click to enlarge Black Nike Air Maxes with fluoro green & white trim and fluoro green Hash Lacing - Click to enlarge Red Converse Chuck Taylors with white & black trim and white Hash Lacing - Click to enlarge Black Puma sneakers with gold trim and fluoro orange & fluoro green combination of Double Lacing and Hash Lacing - Click to enlarge White Converse hi-tops with black trim and orange combination of Hash Lacing and Lattice Lacing - Click to enlarge
Hover over any photo for details, or click to enlarge in the Shoe Lacing Photos page.


Rate This Lacing Method
StarStarStarStarStar
Click button to submit rating & view results.
Or, Click Here to view results without rating this lacing method.
StarStarStarStar
StarStarStar
StarStar
Star

Please only vote once - multiple votes are removed daily


Related Links
Lug Hash Lacing Lug Hash Lacing
Same lacing method for shoes with lugs instead of eyelets.
Zipper Lacing Zipper Lacing
Similar looking method with smaller "diamonds" running down the middle.

Sponsored Links
Sponsor's ADs


This page last updated: 19-Jan-2012. Copyright © 2004-2012 by Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
Also for iPhone
Ian's Laces App for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
Ian's Laces App
The ultimate shoelace reference for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
More Details

Sponsored Links
Click to buy Mr. Lacy shoelaces
Shoelaces
Quality shoelaces in various styles and a huge range of fashion colors.
mrlacy.com
Dr Martens Shoes & Dr Martens Boots from the UK's leading supplier
Dr Martens
Dr Martens Shoes & Dr Martens Boots from the UK's leading supplier.
shoesinternational.com
Click to buy shoelaces from Big Laces
Shoelaces
U.K. based store with a wide selection of quality shoelaces.
biglaces.com
Click to buy sneakers from Amazon.com
Best-selling sneakers
Huge range of sneakers shipped world-wide. amazon.com