Half & Half Lacing

Half & Half Lacing (icon)

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
8
8
7
6
5
4
3
Flip
Step
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

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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.

Shoe lacing photo

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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 pairs133 cm53 in
7 pairs123 cm48 in
6 pairs112 cm44 in
5 pairs102 cm40 in
4 pairs91 cm36 in
3 pairs81 cm32 in
2 pairs70 cm28 in
Variation 2, 3 – Half-length shoelaces
Pairs of
eyelets
Approx. length
each half-lace
“Shortens”
ends by
8 pairs72 cm28 in–5.0 cm–2.0 in
7 pairs66 cm26 in–5.0 cm–2.0 in
6 pairs61 cm24 in–5.0 cm–2.0 in
5 pairs56 cm22 in–5.0 cm–2.0 in
4 pairs51 cm20 in–5.0 cm–2.0 in
3 pairs45 cm18 in–5.0 cm–2.0 in
2 pairs40 cm16 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

If you'd also like to send feedback, please Contact Ian.

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This page last updated: 11-Nov-2023. Copyright © 2004-2023 by Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.

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