Ian's Shoelace Site – Half & Half Lacing

Shoelaces with half one color and half another color, either pre-made or by cutting and joining two laces, create an interesting bi-color effect.

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 – Bi-color shoelace

• Start with a bi-color shoelace, where half the length is one color and the other half is a different color.

• Begin straight across on the inside (straight section) and out through the bottom eyelets.

• At each eyelet pair, cross the ends, feeding under the sides and out through the next higher set of eyelets. Repeat until lacing is completed.

Variations

• Variation 1 uses a bi-color shoelace, with half the length colored differently.

• Variation 2 uses two half-length shoelaces of different colors knotted together.

• Variation 3 uses two half-length shoelaces of different colors secured separately.

Features

Decorative look

Regular tightening

Regular tying

Hard to get bi-color laces

Notes

• Where bi-color shoelaces are not available, an alternative is to use two half-shoelaces of different colors, either knotted together to form a full-length bi-color shoelace (as per variation 2), or each half tied off with a stopper-knot and fed separately through the bottom eyelets (as per variation 3).

• The technique detailed above is effectively a half & half variation of basic Criss Cross Lacing. However, the concept of using two half-shoelaces of different colors can be similarly applied to many other Lacing Methods, as seen in the following gallery.

Half & Half Lacing Gallery

GALLERY 1
Basic technique using “Criss Cross Lacing” as the underlying lacing method:

GALLERY 2
Variations using other lacing methods similarly laced with two different colored half-shoelaces:

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More photos of Half & Half Lacing

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Shoelace Lengths for Half & Half Lacing

Variation 1 – Bi-color shoelace
Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		Unchanged end lengths
8 pairs	133 cm	53 in	–	–
7 pairs	123 cm	48 in	–	–
6 pairs	112 cm	44 in	–	–
5 pairs	102 cm	40 in	–	–
4 pairs	91 cm	36 in	–	–
3 pairs	81 cm	32 in	–	–
2 pairs	70 cm	28 in	–	–

Variation 2, 3 – Half-length shoelaces
Pairs of eyelets	Approx. length each half-lace		“Shortens” ends by
8 pairs	72 cm	28 in	–5.0 cm	–2.0 in
7 pairs	66 cm	26 in	–5.0 cm	–2.0 in
6 pairs	61 cm	24 in	–5.0 cm	–2.0 in
5 pairs	56 cm	22 in	–5.0 cm	–2.0 in
4 pairs	51 cm	20 in	–5.0 cm	–2.0 in
3 pairs	45 cm	18 in	–5.0 cm	–2.0 in
2 pairs	40 cm	16 in	–5.0 cm	–2.0 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 – Bi-color shoelace

• Same length shoelaces as those for basic Criss Cross Lacing.

Comparative length – Half-shoelace variations

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

• If the original shoelaces are re-used, this method effectively shortens the ends by about 5 cm (2 in).

The difference in length is based on the assumption that two different color shoelaces of the original length would be cut in half, with those four halves then either knotted into bi-colored pairs or laced separately. The resultant “shortening” is due to the extra length needed for the joining/stopper knots.

More details about length comparisons.

Visitor Feedback

with this method [Variation 3: Separate Halves], I get the benefits of lacing techniques that anchor the shoelace to the bottom eyelets [preventing shoelace shift, which causes uneven end lengths] AND the benefits of having options for whichever knot I prefer [eg. Ian's Secure Knot]

– Adrian D., Apr-2022

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Half & Half Lacing

Lacing Technique – Variation 1 – Bi-color shoelace

Lacing Technique – Variation 2 – Knotted halves