Zipper Lacing

Zipper Lacing

At each eyelet, hook under the prior crossover to “lock” the laces, which helps when lacing tightly. Also looks interesting – a bit like a giant zipper.

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

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Lacing Technique

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

• The ends are looped under the laces where they feed under the sides of the shoe.

• Cross the ends, feeding under the sides and out through the next higher set of eyelets.

• Repeat the looping and crossing and feeding out through the next higher eyelets until lacing is completed.

Features

Decorative look

Holds very firmly

Harder to tighten

3% shorter ends (approx.).

Notes

One of the biggest difficulties when tightening shoes is that of keeping the lower sections tight while working on the upper sections. Zipper Lacing is a bit like tying a half-knot at each eyelet, which holds quite firmly. This makes it a great lacing for skates, boots, climbing shoes, or any footwear where very firm support is needed.

Shoelace Lengths for Zipper Lacing

Pairs of eyelets: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Length needed: 71 cm
28 inch
82 cm
32 inch
93 cm
37 inch
104 cm
41 inch
115 cm
45 inch
126 cm
49 inch
137 cm
54 inch
Lengths available: 27" 36" 36" 40" 45" 45" 54"

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

Longer shoelaces needed than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing.

Shorter ends if existing shoelaces are re-used (−3% 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.

Website created by Ian Fieggen (aka. “Professor Shoelace”), inventor of the Ian Knot.

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