Ian's Shoelace Site – Waffle Lacing

This method runs two steps forward, one step back, with double-passes through eyelets. Resembles the grid pattern of a waffle.

Eight pairs of eyelets

Pairs

8

7

6

5

4

Flip

⇄

Lacing diagram Copyright (c) 2023 by Ian Fieggen

Step

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Lacing Technique

• Begin straight across on the inside (grey section) and out through the bottom eyelets.

• Cross the ends on the outside and feed in through the set of eyelets two rows higher up the shoe (skip past one row).

• Run both ends straight down on the inside and emerge through the next lower set of eyelets.

• Continue two rows up on the outside, one row back on the inside, finishing with the ends feeding under the sides and out through the top eyelets.

Features

Decorative look

Holds very tight

Harder to tighten

“Lengthens” ends

Notes

• Many sneakers, such as Vans, Converse and Puma, have soles with a waffle-like grid of raised edges and recessed diamonds or squares. The photo at right shows the sole of a Converse sneaker.

• This lacing also resembles the angled groups of three-letter words in a crossword puzzle. In fact, I seriously considered naming this method “Crossword Lacing”. Other visitors have also suggested “Diamond Lacing”.

• This lacing works best with thinner or flat shoelaces 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.

Waffle Lacing Gallery

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More photos of Waffle Lacing

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Waffle Lacing Video

Watch video: How to Waffle Lace your shoes

Watch video here

Watch on YouTube

Shoelace Lengths for Waffle Lacing

Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Shortens” ends by
8 pairs	147 cm	58 in	–6.9 cm	–2.7 in
7 pairs	132 cm	52 in	–4.6 cm	–1.8 in
6 pairs	117 cm	46 in	–2.3 cm	–0.9 in
5 pairs	102 cm	40 in	–	–
			“Lengthens” ends by
4 pairs	87 cm	34 in	+2.3 cm	+0.9 in
3 pairs	72 cm	28 in	+4.6 cm	+1.8 in
2 pairs = (N/A)

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

• Generally, longer shoelaces are needed than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing – unless the shoes have few eyelets.

• If the original shoelaces are re-used, this method effectively shortens the ends – though it may lengthen the ends if the shoes have few eyelets.

More details about length comparisons.

Visitor Feedback

To my eyes, it works well with C.Taylor (Converse All Star) and similar shoes but not with many other types of sneakers.

– Dejan S., Jul-2022

It kind of looks like a honeycomb or diamond pattern.

– Chris G., Nevada, USA, May-2009

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