Anyone can pick a sneaker that reflects their personal style, but choosing to switch up your lacing patterns? Now that’s next-level customization. Finding new ways to lace your sneakers is a cool way to change the look and feel of your shoe, making it uniquely your own. For an extra pop, swap your laces for a different color that makes your lacing stand out even more.
Whether you’re looking to lace up Sambas, Stan Smiths or Superstars, here you’ll find six creative ideas with instructions for how to lace sneakers of any kind. Some offer a functional approach, some more stylish, but all of them offer a chance for you to express your individuality.
Straight Lacing
This style is also called “fashion lacing” or “street lacing” since it’s casual, clean and cool. The loose lacing style gives your foot room to breathe so you can step in style.
1. Lace straight across through the bottom eyelets. Adjust the lace so there’s an equal amount of lace on each side of the bottom of the eyelet.
2. Left lace goes straight up, through the second eyelet, then straight across to the right side second eyelet. Meanwhile, the right lace goes straight up to the third eyelet, then across to the left side third eyelet.
3. Left lace goes up to the fourth eyelet, through and across to the other side. Right lace goes up to the fifth eyelet and across to the other side.
4. Continue in this pattern for the rest of the eyelets. To finish, tie the laces in a bow knot over the tongue, or tuck the bow under the tongue for a clean look.
Ladder Lacing
This unmistakable design weaves laces together horizontally across the top of the shoe and vertically around each eyelet to create a “ladder.” Originally created for military boots worn by ceremonial guards, this look goes great on shoes with lots of eyelets like the Stan Smith.
1. Lace straight across through the bottom eyelets. Adjust the lace so there’s an equal amount of lace on each side of the bottom of the eyelet.
2. Run each lace up along the outside of the shoe and through the second eyelets.
3. Run the laces across the shoe to the opposite sides, and loop them under the lace on the outside of the shoe.
4. Run the laces up along the outside of the shoe and through the next set of eyelets. Cross them over and loop them under the outside edge lace. Continue in this pattern until the last eyelets, then finish by tying a bow knot.
Spider Web Lacing
This is the showstopper. The Spider Web is a detailed and intricate lacing technique to stand out on the streets and turn heads. The impressive style weaves an elaborate web with laces going back and forth across the top of the shoe, so follow the steps closely. It’s as complex as it is cool.
1. Lace straight across through the second eyelets, and make sure each end is even.
2. Run each lace down along the outside of the shoe and through the first eyelets.
3. Run each lace up diagonally across the shoe and through the third eyelets, creating an “X” pattern.
4. Now take each lace straight down, wrapping under the lace on the outside of the eyelet directly below. Then take the laces up diagonally across the shoe to the next open eyelet (the fourth eyelet). Repeat this pattern until you reach the top eyelets and tie a knot.
Bow Tie Lacing
If you want to rock a lacing style that’s more minimalistic, then Bow Tie lacing is the way to go. It hides the laces by running them up the inside of the shoe vertically before crossing them over, creating a loose fit that’s comfortable, casual and stylish.
1. Take the lace straight across and through the bottom eyelets on the outside of the shoe. Adjust the lace so there’s an equal amount of lace on each side of the bottom of the eyelet.
2. For a shoe with an even number of eyelets, thread the laces diagonally across through the second eyelets, creating an “X” on top of the shoe.
3. For a shoe with an odd number of eyelets, run the laces straight up the inside of the shoe through the second eyelets, then diagonally across into the third eyelets, creating an “X” shape.
4. Run the laces straight up the inside of the shoe into the next open eyelet, then cross them diagonally and run them through the outside of the next eyelet up. Continue this pattern until the top of the shoe, then tie a knot to finish.
Loop-Back Lacing
When you’re rocking Loop-Back Lacing, fancy footwork takes on a whole new meaning. This decorative style loops the laces together straight down the middle of the shoe. It’s the opposite approach of traditional crisscross lacing patterns. To really make the style pop, try thick, round and colorful laces that contrast with the color of the shoe (for example: white laces on black shoes).
1. Take the lace straight across and through the bottom eyelets on the outside of the shoe. Adjust the lace so there’s an equal amount of lace on each side of the bottom of the eyelet.
2. Take each lace diagonally across the shoe, then wrap them around each other in the middle and string them back through the inside of the next open eyelet. Repeat this step by continuing to loop the laces together in the middle and stringing them through the next eyelets. Finish at the top of the shoe with a knot.
Missing Laces
In this style, the laces are hidden along the inside of the shoe, making it appear as if your shoes are missing laces. The novelty style creates an incredibly loose fit that’s perfect for kicking it with your crew. Just don’t plan on busting a move on the dance floor.
1. Take the lace straight across and through the bottom eyelets on the outside of the shoe. Adjust the lace so there’s an equal amount of lace on each side of the bottom of the eyelet.
2. Run each lace straight up the inside of the shoe to the next eyelet and through, then up the outside of the eyelet and through. Continue stringing them in and out but never crossing over the middle of the shoe. At the top, tie a bow and tuck it behind the tongue.
What is the proper way to lace sneakers?
There is no right or wrong way to lace your sneakers. The classic way to lace them is by crossing each lace over the other and through each eyelet for a standard criss-cross lacing style.
Do you lace sneakers over or under?
Lacing over or under each eyelet will yield different looks, which is up to personal preference. Lacing over the eyelets will keep your laces more elevated on the outside of your shoe, and lacing under each eyelet will keep your laces closer to the tongue.
How tight should you lace your shoes?
How tight you lace your shoes is up to you. For lots of walking, you’ll want a lacing style that keeps your shoes snug to your feet. But for a style where you’re going for looks over functionality, you can opt for a looser lacing style.