Five ways to lace your shoes, one step at a time. Each step shows which end moves, whether it goes into the hole from the top or from below, and which lace lies on top where two cross.
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Shoe in front of you, toe pointing at you. Solid = on top · dashed = hidden under the flap · darker = lies inside, on the tongue.
- One lace: the left end is blue, the right end is gold.
- ▼ FROM TOP: push the tip down into the hole. ▲ FROM BELOW: slip the tip under the flap edge and push it up through the hole.
- Dashed: lace under the flap. You won’t see this part on the real shoe.
- Darker lace: a crossing that lies inside, on the tongue, under both flaps.
- The dark tip shows where each lace end is right now. Where two laces cross, the one drawn unbroken goes on top.
- Dashed circle: thread the lace through here.
Shoe lacing FAQ
How do I stop my heel from slipping out of my shoe?
Use heel-lock lacing, also called the runner’s loop. Lace normally up to the second-to-last hole, then take each end straight up the same side into the top hole to leave a small loop. Cross each end over, slide it under the loop on the opposite side, pull tight and tie. The loops hold the heel down without tightening the toes.
How should I lace my shoes for a high instep or pressure on top of the foot?
Use window lacing. Criss-cross up to the sore spot, then run each end straight up the same side instead of crossing, and carry on criss-crossing above it. The missing crossing leaves an open window over the high point.
What is the best lacing for wide feet?
Straight bar lacing is a good start. Flat horizontal bars pull evenly across the foot instead of squeezing it with diagonals, and all the climbing runs hidden under the flaps.
Should the lace go over or under where it crosses?
In normal criss-cross lacing the piece you lay later simply lies on top. Starting with the other end on each row makes the crossings alternate, which looks neat. Over-under lacing is different: every other crossing runs inside, under the flaps, so the lace rubs less on itself.
How long should my shoelaces be?
It depends on the number of eyelet pairs and the lacing. Heel-lock lacing uses extra lace for the loops. Use the soleawesome shoelace length chart to find the exact length for your shoes.
Replacing your laces? Find the right size in our shoelace length chart, or see how to lace Vans.