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Criss Cross Lacing This is probably the most common method of lacing normal shoes & boots. The laces simply criss-cross as they work their way up the shoe. |
FEATURES:
Traditional look
Simple to lace
Comfortable
Corrugates shoe |
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Over Under Lacing This method reduces friction, making the lacing easier to tighten and loosen plus reducing wear and tear. The laces alternate between crossing Over and Under. |
FEATURES:
Ian's favourite!
Decorative look
Faster & easier
Less wear & tear |
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Gap Lacing This simple variation of Criss Cross Lacing skips a crossover to create a gap in the middle of the lacing, either to bypass a sensitive area on the instep or to increase ankle flexibility. |
FEATURES:
Relieves pressure
Allows more flex
Messy look
15% longer ends |
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Straight European Lacing This traditional method of Straight Lacing appears to be more common in Europe. The laces run straight across on the outside and diagonally on the inside. |
FEATURES:
Suits dress shoes
Neat on top
Messy underneath
3% shorter ends |
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Straight Bar Lacing Also referred to as "Lydiard Lacing" or "Fashion Lacing", this variation of Straight Lacing eliminates the underlying diagonals, which looks neater plus relieves pressure on the top ridge of the foot. |
FEATURES:
Comfortable
Even = Neat look
Odd = Messy look
28% longer ends |
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Straight Easy Lacing This is a simplified variation of Straight Bar Lacing where one end runs straight from bottom to top while the other end steps through the eyelets. |
FEATURES:
Even = Neat look
Odd = Messy look
End lengths shift
28% longer ends |
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Hiking / Biking Lacing An inside-out version of Straight Bar Lacing, which distributes pressure evenly plus keeps the knots & ends to the side, away from either snagging undergrowth or from bicycle chains & cranks. |
FEATURES:
Evens out pressure
Reduces snagging
Messy look
28% longer ends |
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Sawtooth Lacing This method has all of the underlying sections pulling at a steep angle, which shifts the alignment of the sides and may correct an otherwise ill-fitting shoe. |
FEATURES:
Easier to tighten
Mis-aligns sides
Modifies fit
12% longer ends |
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Shoe Shop Lacing Often seen in shoe shops because many shoes come pre-laced this way from the factory. One end runs from bottom to top while the other end zig-zags through the eyelets. |
FEATURES:
Easy to lace
Mis-aligns sides
End lengths shift
5% shorter ends |
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Display Shoe Lacing Shoe stores and photographers often use this inside-out version of Criss Cross Lacing on their display shoes in order to finish with the ends neatly hidden inside the shoe. |
FEATURES:
Tidy look
Easier to loosen
Harder to tighten |
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Ladder Lacing This distinctive lacing is worn on military boots by paratroopers and ceremonial guard units. The laces weave horizontally and vertically, forming a secure "ladder". |
FEATURES:
Distinctive look
Stays very tight
Harder to tighten
2% shorter ends |
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Spider Web Lacing Like an angled version of Ladder Lacing, this decorative method is also worn on military boots. The laces weave vertically and diagonally, forming an intricate "web". |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Firm & tight
Harder to tighten
11% shorter ends |
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Double Back Lacing This method looks interesting plus holds very firmly, but is terribly awkward to tighten. The lacing first runs down the shoe, then doubles back up the shoe. |
FEATURES:
Stays very tight
Terribly awkward
6% longer ends |
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Bow Tie Lacing This method "lengthens" ends because it consumes the least amount of shoelace. The laces cross over on the outside and run vertically on the inside, forming a "bow-tie" outline. |
FEATURES:
Minimal look
Comfort "zones"
Loose fit
33% longer ends |
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Army Lacing This inside-out version of Bow Tie Lacing is used on combat boots by various armies. With the crossovers on the insides, the sides of the boots can flex more easily. |
FEATURES:
Allows more flex
Loose fit
Harder to tighten
33% longer ends |
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Train Track Lacing Like Army Lacing with the inside segments running straight across, the result looks like train tracks, and holds very tight because of the doubled laces through eyelets. |
FEATURES:
Neat look
Holds very tight
Harder to tighten
2% shorter ends |
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Double Helix Lacing Also referred to as "Spiralacing", this patented method has the laces angled one way on the outside and the other way on the inside. The resulting double helix reduces friction and allows faster, easier lacing. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Fast & easy
Less wear & tear |
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Double Cross Lacing This lacing is created by running three steps forward (on the inside), one step back (on the outside). The result is short, wide crosses overlapping tall, narrow crosses. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Harder to tighten
17% longer ends |
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Hash Lacing Like Double Cross Lacing, this method is also created by running three steps forward, one step back. The result resembles a diagonal series of hash "#" symbols. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Harder to tighten
39% longer ends |
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Lattice Lacing This very popular method forms a decorative lattice in the middle of the lacing. The laces are crossed at a steep angle, allowing them to be woven through each other. |
FEATURES:
Very popular!
Decorative look
Harder to tighten
24% longer ends |
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Zipper Lacing This method "locks" the laces at each eyelet pair. Great for lacing skates tightly because the lower sections hold while tightening. It also looks interesting, a bit like a giant zipper. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Holds very firmly
Harder to tighten
3% shorter ends |
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Riding Boot Lacing Also referred to as "Bal-Lacing", this method is for riding boots (motorbike or equestrian) whose sides are joined at the top and loosen near the ankle. The laces zig-zag from both ends and are tied in the middle. |
FEATURES:
Neat look
Unusual layout
Special purpose
5% shorter ends |
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One Handed Lacing As an alternative to the One Handed Shoelace Knot, this way of lacing eliminates the need to even tie a knot by leaving one end loose. |
FEATURES:
Disabled use
Surprisingly easy
Loose fit
16% longer end |
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Segmented Lacing Also referred to as "Zoned Lacing", this method divides the lacing into two or more segments, each of which can be laced up as tightly or loosely as necessary to achieve a comfortable yet secure fit for difficult shoes or feet. |
FEATURES:
Customizable
Many uses
Messy look
52% longer ends |
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Knotted Segment Lacing A more attractive though less flexible variation of Segmented Lacing in which a knot makes the lower segment of shoelace permanently tighter or looser. |
FEATURES:
Customizable
Many uses
Harder to get off
5% shorter ends |
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Hidden Knot Lacing By hiding the knot underneath, the result is an uninterrupted series of straight "bars" that looks particularly distinctive on dress shoes or sneakers alike. |
FEATURES:
Distinctive look
Tricky to tie knot
Slight discomfort
28% longer ends |
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Loop Back Lacing Each side loops back on itself down the middle, rather like when two springs become intertwined. However, those loop-backs tend to shift off-centre. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Laces wear more
Centreline shifts
4% shorter ends |
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Knotted Lacing Adding an overhand knot at each crossover increases friction and keeps the lacing much firmer. Ideal for tightening ice skates, rollerblades, etc. |
FEATURES:
Keeps lacing tight
Assists tightening
Harder to loosen
3% shorter ends |
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Twistie Lacing Like a combination of Loop Back and Knotted Lacing, the laces are twisted together with a vertical overhand knot at each crossover before continuing to the other side. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Keeps lacing tight
Harder to loosen
6% shorter ends |
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Roman Lacing Alternating X-I-X-I on top of the shoe, which looks a little like Roman numerals. It's most effective on dress shoes where the sides of the shoe meet in the middle. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Suits dress shoes
Harder to tighten
32% longer ends |
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Hexagram Lacing This purely decorative lacing forms a hexagram, or six pointed star. This geometric symbol has been used for centuries in various cultures and religions, most notably as the Jewish "Star of David". |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Loose fit
Harder to tighten
17% longer ends |
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Pentagram Lacing This purely decorative lacing forms a pentagram, or five pointed star. Besides the "magical" associations, solid five pointed stars are found on many flags, most notably the fifty stars on the U.S. flag. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Loose fit
Harder to tighten
1% longer ends |
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Asterisk Lacing Lacing sets of three eyelet pairs with a crossover plus a straight section results in a series of asterisk [*] symbols. Best on shoes with multiples of three eyelet pairs (3, 6, 9, etc). |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Harder to tighten
Harder to tie
26% longer ends |
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Starburst Lacing With all vertical segments hidden on the inside and all diagonal segments on the outside crossing at the middle of the shoe, the result looks like a Starburst. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Top opens wide
Loose fit
18% longer ends |
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Supernova Lacing Like two Starbursts on top of each other, one on the outside, the other on the inside. Needs the maximum length of shoelace and is useful for "shortening" long laces. |
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Top opens wide
Loose fit
31% shorter ends |
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Footbag Lacing Footbag players use this lacing to open up the front of their shoes, making it easier to catch or otherwise control the footbag (or "Hacky Sack"). |
FEATURES:
Suits Footbag
Less binding
Distorts shoes
27% longer ends |
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Lock Lacing Also referred to as "Lace Locks" or "Runner's Tie", this is not a lacing method as much as a technique for creating a super-tight finish. It's often recommended to help reduce slippage in running or climbing shoes. |
FEATURES:
Tightens firmly
Reduces slippage
Harder to loosen
12% shorter ends |