Roman Lacing

Roman Lacing

Verticals hidden on the inside plus “X”s and “I”s on the outside, which looks like Roman numerals and suits both casual and dress shoes.

Eight pairs of eyelets, variation 1
Pairs
8
8
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
Flip
Step
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

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Lacing Technique – 8 pairs, Variation 1

• Begin straight across on the outside (grey section) and in through the bottom eyelets.

• Run both ends straight up on the inside and out through the next higher set of eyelets.

• Cross the ends on the outside and feed in through the next higher set of eyelets.

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

• Both ends run straight up on the inside, each skipping one eyelet and emerging two eyelets higher up.

• Cross the ends on the outside and feed in through the eyelets on the opposite side.

• Both ends run straight up on the inside, each skipping one eyelet and emerging two eyelets higher up.

• The lower (yellow) end runs straight across on the outside and in through the opposite eyelet, then straight up on the inside and out through the top eyelet.

Features

Decorative look

Suits dress shoes

Tricky to tighten

31% longer ends (approx.)

Notes

• The lacing technique depends on the number of eyelets in the shoe. This is because an “X” plus an “I” forms an odd number of passes across the sides of the shoe, whereas an even number of passes is needed for the lace ends to meet and to be tied together.

• Some of the variations can be flipped vertically to vary between a knot across the top or a hidden knot at the side, which looks distinctive but is quite tricky to tie and can feel uncomfortable.

• These techniques can be extended to suit any number of eyelet pairs by adding another “XIXI” or “IXIX” to the start of the lacing. For example, adding “XIXI” to the technique for 3 eyelet pairs will give the technique for 9 eyelet pairs.

Shoelace Lengths for Roman Lacing

Pairs of eyelets: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Length needed: (N/A) 74 cm
29 inch
80 cm
32 inch
91 cm
36 inch
94 cm
37 inch
107 cm
42 inch
110 cm
44 inch
Lengths available: 27" 36" 36" 36" 40" 45"

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 Criss Cross Lacing.

Longer ends if existing shoelaces are re-used (+31% on average).

More details.

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This page last updated: 27-May-2023. Copyright © 2005-2023 by Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.

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