Ian's Shoelace Site – Hiking / Biking Lacing (lug version)

A lug version of Hiking / Biking Lacing, which keeps the knots & ends to the side, away from either snagging undergrowth or from bicycle chains & cranks.

Four pairs of lugs

Pairs

5

4

3

Flip

⇄

Lacing diagram Copyright (c) 2023 by Ian Fieggen

Step

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Lacing Technique

• Begin straight across the bottom (grey section) and up through both bottom lugs.

• The laces criss-cross their way up the shoe as per Lug Criss Cross Lacing until they reach the second set of lugs from the top of the shoe.

• The right (blue) end runs straight up through both the second-from-top lug and top lug on the right side.

• The right (blue) end then runs straight across the top of the shoe and feeds down through the top left lug.

• The shoelace knot can then be tied between the top lug and second-from-top lug on the left side of the shoe.

Features

Reduces snagging

Messy look

Less snug at top

“Lengthens” ends

Usage Notes

This method is asymmetrical – in particular the fact that the knots are tied at the side. The intent is that the left and right shoes are laced in reverse (flipped horizontally), which positions the knots either towards the inside (between the ankles) or towards the outside. This creates a balanced pair that is then both visually and functionally symmetrical.

Using This Lacing for Hiking / Bushwalking

Lace the left shoe with the regular instructions and the right shoe with the instructions flipped horizontally. This will result in a pair of shoes with both knots positioned towards the inside (between the ankles), which keeps the loops and loose ends further away from rocks, branches and undergrowth on narrow trails.

Using This Lacing for Biking / Cycling:

Lace the right shoe with the regular instructions and the left shoe with the instructions flipped horizontally. This will result in a pair of shoes with both knots positioned towards the outside, which keeps the loops and loose ends further away from the bicycle chain, cranks and other moving parts.

Lug Hiking / Biking Lacing Gallery

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Shoelace Lengths for Lug Hiking / Biking Lacing

Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Lengthens” ends by
8 pairs	136 cm	54 in	+4.1 cm	+1.6 in
7 pairs	124 cm	49 in	+4.1 cm	+1.6 in
6 pairs	112 cm	44 in	+4.1 cm	+1.6 in
5 pairs	101 cm	40 in	+4.1 cm	+1.6 in
4 pairs	89 cm	35 in	+4.1 cm	+1.6 in
3 pairs	77 cm	30 in	+4.1 cm	+1.6 in
2 pairs	65 cm	26 in	+4.1 cm	+1.6 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 Lug Criss Cross Lacing.

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

More details about length comparisons.

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