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Over Under Lacing
This method reduces friction, making the lacing easier to tighten and loosen plus reducing wear and tear. The laces alternate between crossing Over and Under. There's two variations shown: One for even numbers of eyelet pairs, the other for odd numbers of eyelet pairs.
Method 1 (for EVEN numbers of eyelet pairs)
Over Under Lacing diagram 1
Lacing Technique 1 (for EVEN numbers of eyelet pairs):
1. The lace is run straight across the bottom (grey section) and the ends are fed in through both bottom eyelets.

2. The ends are crossed Under (on the inside) and emerge through the next set of eyelets up the shoe.

3. The ends are crossed Over (on the outside) and are fed in through the next set of eyelets up the shoe.

4. Repeat steps (2) and (3), alternating between crossing Under or crossing Over, until both ends reach the top eyelets.


Comparative Length = 100%
Identical length to basic Criss Cross Lacing
More details
Method 2 (for ODD numbers of eyelet pairs)
Over Under Lacing diagram 2
Lacing Technique 2 (for ODD numbers of eyelet pairs):
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 next set of eyelets up the shoe.

3. The ends are crossed Under (on the inside) and emerge through the next set of eyelets up the shoe.

4. Repeat steps (2) and (3), alternating between crossing Over or crossing Under, until both ends reach the top eyelets.


Comparative Length = 100%
Identical length to basic Criss Cross Lacing
More details
Over Under Lacing picture 1
Over Under Lacing picture 2
This picture of Converse All Stars with Over Under Lacing was sent to me by Bandit1980.
Features:
Ian's favourite!
Decorative look
Faster & easier
Less wear & tear


Over Under Lacing Theory:
By alternating crossovers on the outside and on the inside, there are a couple of benefits.

Firstly, the laces don't rub across the edges of the shoes, which reduces wear and tear on both the shoe and the laces.

Secondly, because of the reduced friction, you don't really need to pull every single crossover when tightening or loosening. Instead, you can pull every second crossover, which is both faster and easier because those that run across on the outside are easier to get your fingers underneath.


Recent Photos (sent by site visitors)
Tan Timberland boots with black trim and yellow & brown Over Under Lacing - Click to enlarge Grey & white Geox Snakes with white Over Under Lacing - Click to enlarge Black Adidas Calshots with white trim and white Over Under Lacing - Click to enlarge Black roller skates with white & cream trim and striped red & white combination of Over Under Lacing and Bow Tie Lacing - Click to enlarge Patterned black & gold K-Swiss sneakers with sparkling gold combination of Display Shoe Lacing and Over Under Lacing - Click to enlarge Black Converse All-Stars with white trim and white Over Under Lacing - Click to enlarge
Hover over any photo for details, or click to enlarge in the Shoe Lacing Photos page.


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Related Links
Criss Cross Lacing Criss Cross Lacing
Similar method with each crossover running under the sides then out.
Double Helix Lacing Double Helix Lacing
Similar layout arranged as a double helix to reduce friction even further.

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This page last updated: 19-Jan-2012. Copyright © 2003-2012 by Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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