Ukrainian Lacing

I recently got a new pair of shoes and decided to try some of the lacing methods, I ended up using a modified Ukranian method version 4. The ends could be fastened using any method someone prefers but with thin shoes having the ends on the inside was too uncomfortable for me. I looped the return loop through the tongue retainer (not sure of its correct name) instead of underneath the other laces and thought you may find it interesting. I don't think it's enough of a modification to make a version 5 of the Ukranian method but that's for you to decide!

– Brad T., Oct-2020

(re: Variation 4)

This one works great with my Doc 8 hole short boots. It's easy to loosen and I don't have to re thread the top holes.

– Glenn B., Sep-2020

I have typically used variation 2 from your website on my boots. After I get done with all of my double secure knots, I find that the top of the lace tends to be twisted slightly with tension on it. I've tried on several occasions to build some counter-twist into the pre-formed loop, and this helps a little if I guess correctly. (After all, we don't have a formula for that yet!) I can get close to ending up with no twist tension if my intuition is right. The nice thing about variations 1 and 4 is that they don't seem to suffer as much from that, from my experience, because they do not have a pre-formed loop.

– Rick S., Michigan, USA, Jun-2020

(In response to the feedback below from Eelis about a new variation...)

Wow, this idea is really great and improves the original solution a lot! These “spare eyelets” have itched me as well, till now :-)

– Vitaliy Gnatenko, inventor of “Ukrainian Lacing”, May-2020

I was really bothered by the fact that Ukrainian lacing makes you essentially sacrifice two eyelets, and I noticed there's a trivial solution: instead of looping the non-tensioned part of the lace through two eyelets, just loop it around the lacing further down.

Because there is no tension on the part of the loop that goes around the lower lacing, that lower lacing (which is under tension) is completely undisturbed.

I'm using this more economical variation of Ukrainian lacing now with great success; I have the benefits of Ukrainian lacing, while at the same time being able to use every single one of my eyelets for tensioned lace.

(This technique has been added as Variation 4.)

– Eelis, The Netherlands, May-2020

(When using Variation 3, with the joining Reef Knot at the top of the shoe...)

Easy to untied by pulling Reef Knot.

– Maciej D., Poland, Apr-2019

For the past year or so I have been captivated by Ukrainian Lacing. In my humble opinion this ought to be the default lacing for shoes all over the world. As for the knot I wanted something very secure and I naturally chose the Ian Secure Shoelace Knot. However, I did have to make a slight change to the way it is normally tied to make it work with Ukrainian Lacing since the tails aren't free to rotate. You have to “unwind” each side of the loop through the first and second eyelets as the final step. I have never seen a reference to using the Secure Knot with Ukrainian Lacing and therefore I decided to make a video of how to do it on YouTube.

Ukrainian Lacing and the Ian Secure Knot on YouTube

– Thad R., Alabama, USA, Jan-2018

Loose ends can fray, drag through dirt or mud or puddles, get crushed or caught or scraped or pulled out by pranksters, or make a tangle by sliding out through the knot or by falling through the bow. I like the captive ends even more than the speed.

– David, IL, USA, Dec-2017

I have been working as a Firefighter/Paramedic for 8 years now, and I have always used tactical boots with zippers on the sides, and never had much issue or need to deviate from standard lacing.
...

I tried a few different methods, which helped some, but still left me tying and untying both the starting knot and the finishing knot (which is no easy feat in a dark room in the middle of the night), and then I found it, the “Ukrainian method” and immediately my problem was solved! With a few modifications, it has become absolutely perfect for my needs (not to mention it looks 1000% better than the ugly zippers). I have the aglet's both tied in separate overhand knots inside the eyelets of the top of the boot. The next loop down I have the Ukrainian captive starting knot (which makes ALL the difference for the rapid donning.) Going downward I have an “Over Under lacing pattern” which aids significantly in the rapid tightening and loosening, (The X marks the spot to pull!). And then if all those aren't amazing enough, then comes the “Ian Knot”, which is the cherry on top, the icing on the cake, and the grand finale all rolled into one amazing lightning fast move! Now all my needs (more like strong wants) are met. I no longer worry about the laces coming out of the eyes or dragging on the ground when loose. I no longer worry about quickly tightening. I no longer worry about rapid tying or untying. All of it is solved.

– David D., Michigan, USA, Sep-2017

I found it amazing how well the Ukrainian lacing works with the 60" Kiwi lace. I really like that lacing for this boot! Sometimes in the winter, I may just slip them on to run to the mailbox, and this Ukrainian lacing makes it so that I don't even have to tie the knots if I'm feeling lazy. What a great idea!

– Rick S., Michigan, USA, Jul-2017

I have always been a conventional criss-cross lacer and standard knotter, but tomorrow I will be Double Helix – Ukrainian (combination) laced with an Ian Knot, or Secure Ian Knot for certain farm jobs.

This should:

- Make tightening and tying quicker and easier.

- Prevent my laces dragging on the ground if I leave them undone for a while.

- Prevent laces coming undone either because I've done a granny or because sheep's feet, sticks etc. catch in my laces (I'm a narrow-footed farmer who doesn't like elastic-sided boots).

– Tim J., Western Vic, Australia, May-2017