Straight European Lacing

This traditional method of Straight Lacing appears to be more common in Europe. The laces run straight across on the outside and diagonally on the inside. Sometimes referred to as "Ladder Lacing".

Diagram for 8 pairs of eyelets
Pairs
8
7
6
5
4
3
Step
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

To activate controls, please enable JavaScript

Lacing Technique

• Begin straight across on the outside (grey section) and in through the bottom eyelets. On shoes with odd numbers of eyelet pairs, adjust so that the left (blue) end is slightly longer than the right (yellow) end.

• The left (blue) end crosses diagonally on the inside, then straight across on the outside.

• The right (yellow) end crosses diagonally on the inside at a steeper angle, then straight across on the outside.

• Alternate with left and right ends until lacing is completed.

Features

Suits dress shoes

Neat on top

Messy underneath

3% shorter ends (approx.)

Notes

• Although visually messy, the underlying zig-zag makes this lacing very tight & secure. The mess is mainly noticeable on shoes and sneakers with a wide spacing (as seen in the first photo below).

• Straight European Lacing is particularly suited to dress shoes such as Oxfords / Balmorals, as it allows the uppers of the shoe to come completely together in the middle without bunching or corrugation. On these shoes, the underlying zig-zag will be completely hidden (as in the second photo below).

Sports / Military Advice:

Like other straight lacing methods, Straight European Lacing has an additional benefit for sporting or military use: The upper horizontal sections of shoelace can be quickly cut through with a knife or scissors in order to more easily remove a boot from a broken, sprained or otherwise injured ankle or foot.

Note that most military forces have regulations for just about everything, so I'd recommend that military personnel check before they adopt this, or any other, possible non-regulation lacing method!

Straight European Lacing Video

Shoelace Lengths for Straight European Lacing

Pairs of eyelets: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Length needed: 70 cm
28 inch		 81 cm
32 inch		 92 cm
36 inch		 103 cm
41 inch		 114 cm
45 inch		 125 cm
49 inch		 136 cm
54 inch
Lengths available: 27" 36" 36" 40" 45" 45" 54"

NOTE: These are approximate shoelace lengths for using this lacing on an average sized sneaker. For more accurate lengths, use the Shoelace Length Calculator.

Comparative Length

Longer shoelaces needed than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing.

Shorter ends if existing shoelaces are re-used (-3% on average).

More details.

Rate This Lacing Method

• Select rating, then click button to submit.

• Or, view results without rating this method.

Please only vote once - multiple votes are removed daily

Sponsored Links