Shoe Lacing Methods

Criss Cross Lacing

Probably the most common method of lacing normal shoes & boots, the laces simply criss-cross as they work their way up the shoe.

Over Under Lacing

This method reduces friction, making the lacing easier to tighten and loosen plus reducing wear and tear. The laces alternate between crossing Over and Under.

Gap Lacing

This simple variation of Criss Cross Lacing skips a crossover to create a gap in the middle of the lacing, either to bypass a sensitive area on the instep or to increase ankle flexibility.

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.

Straight Bar Lacing

Also referred to as “Lydiard Lacing” or “Fashion Lacing”, this variation of Straight Lacing eliminates the underlying diagonals, which looks neater plus relieves pressure on the top ridge of the foot.

Hidden Knot Lacing

By hiding the knot underneath, the result is an uninterrupted series of straight “bars” that looks particularly distinctive on dress shoes or sneakers alike.

Straight Easy Lacing

This is a simplified variation of Straight Bar Lacing where one end runs straight from bottom to top while the other end steps through the eyelets.

End Shortening Lacing

A variation of Straight Bar Lacing with a convoluted path on the inside that invisibly consumes more shoelace, effectively “shortening” the ends.

Commando Lacing

Used by various military to lace tall combat boots. One end is anchored at the bottom and the other end is used for tying off at the top.

Hiking / Biking Lacing

An inside-out version of Straight Bar Lacing, which distributes pressure evenly plus keeps the knots & ends to the side, away from either snagging undergrowth or from bicycle chains & cranks.

Quick Tight Lacing

A straight lacing method that is split into two sections for quick and even tightening. Pulling one loose end tightens the top section, the other loose end tightens the bottom section.

Gippo Lacing

A blend of Quick Tight Lacing and Corset Lacing, this complex method combines split sections plus closed loops at top for quick tightening of tall boots.

Ukrainian Lacing

Named by its Ukrainian inventor, this method has permanently-anchored loose ends plus a “captive” Starting Knot, which saves having to re-tie that first knot each time.

Corset Lacing

Traditional lacing for corsets, in which the laces can be gripped and pulled very tightly via the middle loops. Useful for lacing boots extra tight or just for a different look.

Sawtooth Lacing

This method has all of the underlying sections pulling at a steep angle, which shifts the alignment of the sides and may correct an otherwise ill-fitting shoe.

Lightning Lacing

So named because the angled sections look a bit like a lightning bolt, plus it is lightning fast to lace. The laces run diagonally on the outside and vertically on the inside.

Shoe Shop Lacing

Previously common in shoe shops because many shoes came pre-laced this way from the factory. One end runs from bottom to top while the other end zig-zags through the remaining eyelets.

Display Shoe Lacing

Shoe stores and photographers often use this inside-out version of Criss Cross Lacing on their display shoes in order to finish with the ends neatly hidden inside the shoe.

CAF Combat Boot Lacing

This subtle variation of Display Shoe Lacing is the official method prescribed by the Canadian Armed Forces for lacing combat boots, safety boots and lineman boots.

Chevron Lacing

Separate sections of Criss Cross Lacing and Display Shoe Lacing, forming upright and inverted chevrons (∧, ∨) similar to those on military or police uniforms.

Ladder Lacing

This distinctive lacing is worn on military boots by paratroopers and ceremonial guard units. The laces weave horizontally and vertically, forming a secure “ladder”.

Spider Web Lacing

Like an angled version of Ladder Lacing, this decorative method is also worn on military boots. The laces weave vertically and diagonally, forming an intricate “web”.

Double Back Lacing

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

Bow Tie Lacing

This method “lengthens” ends because it consumes the least amount of shoelace. The laces cross over on the outside and run vertically on the inside, forming a “bow-tie” outline.

Army Lacing

This inside-out version of Bow Tie Lacing is used on combat boots by various armies. With the crossovers on the insides, the sides of the boots can flex more easily.

Train Track Lacing

Like Army Lacing with the inside segments running straight across, the result looks like train tracks, and holds very tight because of the doubled laces through eyelets.

Winter Solstice Lacing

A fairly useless method, with the laces taking the shortest path through all the eyelets and with hardly any segments visible – reminiscent of the sun's path in mid-winter.

Left Right Lacing

Having one end always emerging through eyelets while the other end always feeds in through eyelets creates a series of “V” symbols that point alternately left and right.

Double Helix Lacing

This patented method has the laces angled one way on the outside and the other way on the inside. The resulting double helix reduces friction and allows faster, easier lacing.

Locked Double Helix Lacing

A variation of Double Helix Lacing with inside-out crossovers, transforming it from a low-friction lacing that was fast and easy into a high-friction lacing that “locks” each row.

Double Cross Lacing

This lacing is created by running three steps forward (on the inside), one step back (on the outside). The result is short, wide crosses overlapping tall, narrow crosses.

Two-One-Three Lacing

Lacing across the ankle area in "2-1-3" sequence creates a firm Double Cross that reduces pinching and may help prevent painful “lace bite” in tightly laced boots or skates.

Hash Lacing

Like Double Cross Lacing, this method is also created by running three steps forward, one step back. The result resembles a diagonal series of hash “#” symbols.

Waffle Lacing

Like a compressed Hash Lacing, this method runs two steps forward, one step back, with double-passes through eyelets. Resembles the grid of raised squares or diamonds of a waffle.

Lattice Lacing

This very popular method forms a decorative lattice in the middle of the lacing. The laces are crossed at a steep angle, allowing them to be woven through each other.

Zipper Lacing

This method “locks” the laces at each eyelet pair. Great for lacing skates tightly because the lower sections hold while tightening. It also looks interesting – a bit like a giant zipper.

Riding Boot Lacing

Also referred to as “Bal-Lacing”, this method is for riding boots (motorbike or equestrian) whose sides are joined at the top and loosen near the ankle. The laces zig-zag from both ends and are tied in the middle.

One Handed Lacing

As an alternative to the One Handed Shoelace Knot, this way of lacing eliminates the need to even tie a knot by leaving one end loose.

Segmented Lacing

Also referred to as “Zoned Lacing”, this method divides the lacing into two or more segments, each of which can be laced up as tightly or loosely as necessary to achieve a comfortable yet secure fit for difficult shoes or feet.

Knotted Segment Lacing

A more attractive though less flexible variation of Segmented Lacing in which a knot makes the lower segment of shoelace permanently tighter or looser.

Loop Back Lacing

Each side loops back on itself down the middle, rather like when two springs become intertwined. However, those loop-backs tend to shift off-centre.

Hill Valley Lacing

Pairs of rows are looped around each other, the peaked rows forming “hills” and the dipped rows forming “valleys”. The name is also a tribute to the “Back to the Future” movies.

Knotted Lacing

Adding an overhand knot at each crossover increases friction and keeps the lacing much firmer. Ideal for tightening ice skates, rollerblades, etc.

Twistie Lacing

Similar to Loop Back Lacing with full twists instead of half twists, forming vertical overhand knots similar to the horizontal ones in Knotted Lacing.

Roman Lacing

Alternating “X-I-X-I” on top of the shoe looks a little like Roman numerals. It's most effective on dress shoes where the sides of the shoe meet in the middle.

C.I.A. Lacing

This set of methods was taught to C.I.A. officers during the Cold War as a form of covert signalling, using straight segments interpersed with one or more visible crossovers at different positions.

Hexagram Lacing

This purely decorative lacing forms a hexagram, or six-pointed star. This geometric symbol has been used for centuries in various cultures and religions, most notably as the Jewish “Star of David”.

Pentagram Lacing

This purely decorative lacing forms a pentagram, or five-pointed star. Besides the “magical” associations, solid five-pointed stars are found on many flags, most notably the fifty stars on the U.S. flag.

Asterisk Lacing

Lacing sets of three eyelet pairs with a crossover plus a straight section results in a series of asterisk [*] symbols. Best on shoes with multiples of three eyelet pairs (3, 6, 9, etc).

Starburst Lacing

With all vertical segments hidden on the inside and all diagonal segments on the outside crossing at the middle of the shoe, the result looks like a “starburst”.

Supernova Lacing

Like two Starbursts on top of each other, one on the outside, the other on the inside. Needs the maximum length of shoelace and is useful for “shortening” long laces.

Zig Zag Lacing

This twin-rail zig-zag is a bit like a winding road or marble race. The laces alternately run vertically on the inside or wrap around the vertical sections on the opposite side.

Progressive Lacing

With crossovers running at progressively steeper angles towards the toes, this lacing should feel progressively tighter towards the ankles, plus it looks decorative.

Perspective Lacing

This decorative lacing has overlapping segments running at varying slopes similar to Progressive Lacing, forming a sideways perspective grid.

Escher Lacing

Decorative lacing whose outline resembles fish swimming alternately left and right, reminiscent of the tesselated prints from Dutch artist M.C. Escher.

Cascade Lacing

A decorative lacing with each row looped under the previous row, forming a diagonal series of loops that appears to “cascade” down the shoe.

Cyclone Fence Lacing

Alternately looping under the left and right of previous rows forms a decorative lacing that resembles a section of the diamond pattern of cyclone fencing (or “chain-link” fencing).

Woven Lacing

An “extreme lacing” for those who want a decorative method that others would never attempt. The laces are woven up and down between adjacent rows, creating an intricate mesh.

Footbag Lacing

Footbag players use this lacing to open up the front of their shoes, making it easier to catch or otherwise control the footbag (or “Hacky Sack”).

NASA Space Boot Lacing

Used on astronaut's boots during the early space program. A doubled-up shoelace snakes up the shoe, passing both ways through each eyelet to lock tightly.

Lock Lacing

Not a lacing method as much as a technique for creating a super-tight finish. It's often recommended to help reduce heel slippage in running or climbing shoes.