Ian's Shoelace Site – Double Back Lacing

The lacing first runs down the shoe, then doubles back up the shoe. Looks interesting plus holds very firmly, but is awkward to tighten.

Eight pairs of eyelets, variation 1

Pairs

8

7

6

5

4

3

Flip

⇄

Lacing diagram Copyright (c) 2023 by Ian Fieggen

Step

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Lacing Technique – Variation 1 – Hidden verticals at bottom

• Begin straight across on the outside (grey section) and in through the second-from-top set of eyelets.

• Cross the ends and feed in through the second-lower set of eyelets (skip past one set of eyelets).

• Continue down the shoe two sets of eyelets at a time.

• At the bottom, run each lace end vertically between the bottom and second-from-bottom eyelets.

• Double back and work back up the shoe, criss-crossing through the vacant sets of eyelets.

Variations

• Variation 1 has hidden verticals at the bottom.

• Variation 2 has a visible crossover at the bottom, which needs slightly longer shoelaces.

Features

Stays very tight

Terribly awkward

Variation 1 mostly “Lengthens” ends

Variation 2 “Shortens” ends

Double Back Lacing Gallery

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Double Back Lacing Video

Watch video: How to Double Back Lace your shoes

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Shoelace Lengths for Double Back Lacing

Variation 1 – Verticals at bottom
Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Shortens” ends by
8 pairs	134 cm	53 in	–0.5 cm	–0.2 in
			“Lengthens” ends by
7 pairs	123 cm	48 in	+0.2 cm	+0.1 in
6 pairs	111 cm	44 in	+0.9 cm	+0.4 in
5 pairs	99 cm	39 in	+1.6 cm	+0.6 in
4 pairs	87 cm	34 in	+2.3 cm	+0.9 in
3 pairs	75 cm	30 in	+3.0 cm	+1.2 in
2 pairs	63 cm	25 in	+3.6 cm	+1.4 in

Variation 2 – Crossover at bottom
Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Shortens” ends by
8 pairs	142 cm	56 in	–4.1 cm	–1.6 in
7 pairs	130 cm	51 in	–3.4 cm	–1.3 in
6 pairs	118 cm	47 in	–2.7 cm	–1.1 in
5 pairs	106 cm	42 in	–2.1 cm	–0.8 in
4 pairs	94 cm	37 in	–1.4 cm	–0.6 in
3 pairs	82 cm	32 in	–0.7 cm	–0.3 in
2 pairs	70 cm	28 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

• Variation 1 mostly needs shorter shoelaces than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing, whereas Variation 2 needs longer shoelaces.

• If the original shoelaces are re-used, Variation 1 mostly lengthens the ends, whereas Variation 2 effectively shortens the ends.

More details about length comparisons.

Visitor Feedback

Before going to your website my shoelaces were outrageously big (52cm) and i was always tripping over them. I tried tying the Double Back Lacing and now my shoelaces are 45cm when they are untied, and only 15 cm with an Ian knot.

– Brendan K., Melbourne, Australia, Nov-2004

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Double Back Lacing

Lacing Technique – Variation 1 – Hidden verticals at bottom