Shoelaces secure footwear to the foot while also contributing to the overall aesthetic of the shoe. Employing a proper technique can improve comfort, fit, and extend the usable life of the shoe materials. Understanding different lacing patterns allows for better pressure distribution and a more customized experience for the wearer.
Preparing the Shoe and Laces
The length of the shoelace should correspond to the number of eyelet pairs on the shoe; a common athletic shoe often requires a lace between 45 and 54 inches. Flat laces tend to offer greater friction, helping them stay tied more securely than their round counterparts.
To start, the lace must be perfectly centered to ensure equal length on both sides. Insert both ends by threading them down through the two bottom-most eyelets, creating a straight bar across the underside of the tongue. This initial placement establishes the direction and tension for the remainder of the lacing pattern.
The Standard Criss-Cross Method
The criss-cross pattern is the most universally used method because it distributes tension evenly across the foot, providing a secure and comfortable fit for most activities. After establishing the bottom bar, take the lace end from the left eyelet and cross it diagonally over the tongue toward the right side. Thread this lace end up through the second eyelet on the right side.
Repeat the pattern by taking the lace end now on the right side and crossing it over the tongue to thread up through the next available eyelet on the left side. The lace should always pass over the tongue before feeding up through the eyelet hole on the opposite side. This sequence creates the characteristic interlocking “X” shapes that help lock the laces into place and prevent slippage.
Continue this diagonal crossing and upward threading motion until the laces reach the top pair of eyelets. This method allows the tension created by the laces to be applied both horizontally and vertically, which is beneficial for keeping the foot securely seated in the heel counter of the shoe. The resulting pattern provides flexibility and allows the shoe’s upper material to conform closely to the shape of the foot.
Alternative Lacing Methods
The Straight Bar lacing method, sometimes called European straight lacing, offers a cleaner aesthetic and is often preferred for formal or dress footwear where visual neatness is desired. This style is characterized by horizontal bars running across the outside of the shoe, minimizing the visual clutter of diagonal lines.
To create the straight bar effect, the internal path differs from the criss-cross method. After the initial bottom bar is set, the laces are run straight up the sides on the inside of the shoe, skipping one eyelet internally. The lace then emerges from the eyelet above and runs straight across the outside before diving back down into the corresponding eyelet on the opposite side.
Repeat the straight bars until the final eyelets, where the two ends emerge. This technique involves the lace alternating between running straight across the exterior and running vertically up the inside of the tongue, which minimizes friction on the lace itself. The laces are then finished with a standard knot.