Shoes and sneakers
How to lace sneakers: 5 lacing styles and when to use them
By sneakersInn team · Updated
Five lacing styles cover every need: criss-cross for everyday comfort, straight bar for a clean, smart look, a heel lock if your heel slips, skipped eyelets to ease pressure on a high instep, and loose lacing for an easy slip-on style. Changing how you lace can fix fit problems and change how a sneaker looks.
| Style | Look | Fixes |
|---|---|---|
| Criss-cross | Classic X pattern | Everyday, even pressure |
| Straight bar | Neat horizontal bars | Clean look for leather sneakers |
| Heel lock (runner's loop) | Loops at the top eyelets | Heel slipping |
| Skipped eyelet | A gap in the lacing | Pressure on the top of the foot |
| Loose lacing | Laces tucked in or tied low | Slip-on convenience |
How do I criss-cross lace?
- Thread the lace straight across the bottom eyelets, both ends under.
- Cross each end over and up into the next eyelet on the opposite side.
- Repeat to the top. Keep both ends even.
How do I straight bar lace?
- Thread across the bottom eyelets from underneath.
- Take one end straight up inside the shoe to the next eyelet, then across.
- Take the other end up two eyelets inside, then across.
- Keep alternating so every bar outside is horizontal.
It looks clean on white leather sneakers and dress shoes.
How do I tie a heel lock?
- Lace normally to the second-last eyelet.
- Thread each end straight up into the top eyelet on the same side, making a small loop.
- Cross each end over and thread it through the loop on the opposite side.
- Pull tight and tie.
It holds the heel firmly, which helps with slipping and long walks.
Why skip an eyelet?
If the top of your foot feels squeezed, skip the eyelet over the pressure point by running the lace up the inside. It relieves pressure without loosening the whole shoe.
How do I make sneakers slip-on?
Lace loosely, tie the knot low and tuck the ends inside. Only do this with sneakers that hold your heel well, or they'll slip off.
How long should laces be?
Longer for high-tops and more eyelets. As a rough guide: 5 to 6 eyelet pairs, about 120 cm; 7 pairs, about 140 cm. Replace laces when they grey or fray; new laces freshen an old pair.
Questions
Should laces match my sneakers?
Usually. White laces on white sneakers; a contrasting colour is a style choice.
How do I clean laces?
See how to keep white sneakers clean in Accra dust.
How should high-tops be laced?
See low-top vs high-top sneakers.
Which sneakers should I own?
See the 5 sneakers every man needs in his rotation and how to make your sneakers last longer.