Bow Tie Lacing

Vertical sections on the inside and crossovers on the outside form a “bow tie” outline. Needs minimum shoelace length and thus “lengthens” ends.

Bow Tie Lacing Tutorial

Eight pairs of eyelets

Pairs

8

7

6

5

4

3

Flip

⇄

Lacing diagram Copyright (c) 2026 by Ian Fieggen

Step

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Lacing Technique

• For even numbers of eyelet pairs, begin straight across on the outside (grey section) and in through the bottom eyelets.

• For odd numbers of eyelet pairs, begin straight across on the inside (grey section) and out through the bottom eyelets.

• At each eyelet pair, alternate between a crossover on the outside and in through the next higher set of eyelets or running straight up on the inside and out through the next higher set of eyelets. Repeat until lacing is completed.

Features

Minimal look

Comfort “zones”

Loose fit

“Lengthens” ends

Notes

• Bow Tie Lacing uses significantly less shoelace length than regular Criss Cross Lacing because there are only half as many crossovers. Re-using the original shoelaces will result in much longer loose ends. I definitely recommend shorter shoelaces to eliminate that excess.

• Besides needing less shoelace length to reach the top, Bow Tie Lacing also doesn't need as much extra length at the top. When removing footwear, each crossover that is loosened will pull some of the end length back through the top eyelets. Loosenening lots of crossovers – such as on tall boots with many eyelets – will result in the loose ends being pulled all the way out. Half as many crossovers means that only half as much shoelace gets pulled through when loosening, so only half as much “loosening allowance” is needed at the top. This means that shorter shoelaces can be used, so tall boots no longer end up with a “giant bow”.

Bow Tie Lacing Gallery

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Bow Tie Lacing Video

Watch video: How to Bow Tie Lace your shoes

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Shoelace Lengths for Bow Tie Lacing

Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Lengthens” ends by
8 pairs	104 cm	41 in	+14.6 cm	+5.7 in
7 pairs	101 cm	40 in	+10.9 cm	+4.3 in
6 pairs	91 cm	36 in	+10.9 cm	+4.3 in
5 pairs	87 cm	34 in	+7.3 cm	+2.9 in
4 pairs	77 cm	30 in	+7.3 cm	+2.9 in
3 pairs	74 cm	29 in	+3.6 cm	+1.4 in
2 pairs	63 cm	25 in	+3.6 cm	+1.4 in

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

• Shorter shoelaces needed than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing.

• If the original shoelaces are re-used, this method effectively lengthens the ends.

More details about length comparisons.

Visitor Feedback

First, thank you for solving the problem for which I sought shoelace help. Nice, expensive new leather shoes...but with the criss cross method, the laces were too short. Very frustrating! Now I am using the Bow Tie method, and it looks very attractive and I didn't have to buy longer laces. Problem solved!

– Holley N., DC, USA, Oct-2008

I actually came up with the “Bow Tie” method on my own, I think that I was trying to figure out how to do the “Bar Lacing” and found that the “Bow Tie” method allowed me to quickly tighten my combat boots. I would just tie the ends of the laces in small knots then I could pull all the crosses to loosen the boots without pulling the laces out. Then of course tightening became very easy, as I would just pull each of the crosses and then the lace ends.

– Paul J., Jul-2007

I have used the bow tie shoe lace method on my running shoes because I use inserts and using a regular cross lacing puts pressure on the top of my foot. You would do runners a big service if you touted the bow tie lace method as a way to relieve “numb foot” syndrome.

– Bob B., USA, Sep-2005

Well, my boat shoe moccasin laces are too short because they were remnants from excess large boot laces. They were pressed into service because they are wonderfully soft and flexible leather laces, but they were too short to hold a knot well. So I tried the bow tie lacing diagram and they are now perfect.

– Dan K., Monte Sereno, CA, USA, Apr-2004

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Bow Tie Lacing