NASA Space Boot Lacing

Lacing Technique

• Begin with the shoelace fed through the bottom-left eyelet.

• The inner (blue) end runs straight up the inside and out through the next higher eyelet, then straight across the outside and in through the opposite eyelet.

• The outer (yellow) end runs straight up the outside and in through the next higher eyelet (already occupied by the blue end), then straight across the inside and out through the (already occupied) opposite eyelet.

• Continue snaking both ends up the shoe, following the same path and feeding through the same eyelets from both sides, until lacing is completed.

Features

Unusual look

Holds very tight

Harder to tighten

2% shorter ends (approx.)

Notes

• This lacing was originally used to lace astronaut's zippered pressure boots. After adjusting the lacing to be tight throughout, the ends were permanently tied off. The zipper was then used to get the boot on and off. The double-passes of shoelace through each eyelet helped to “lock” the tightness at every point – even when the boot was off.

• This lacing works best with thinner or flat laces because most of the eyelets have to accommodate two passes of shoelace.

• When feeding a second pass of shoelace through an eyelet, take care that the aglet (shoelace tip) doesn't catch on the shoelace fibers and cause any damage.

Train Track Lacing

Similar double-passes through eyelets – plus the identical length.

Commando Lacing

Similar lacing with only one end following the same snaking path.