How to Lace Shoes: Step by Step for Common Styles

Lacing basics before you start

Before you tie the knot, make sure the shoe is sitting on your foot with your heel pressed back into the heel cup. A shoe that is laced too loosely at the bottom can let your foot slide forward, which puts pressure on your toes and can cause blisters. Lace from the bottom up, and pull each cross snug but not so tight that the eyelets pucker or the top of the foot feels squeezed.

The tongue should stay centered. If it slides, check whether the laces cross over the middle of the tongue evenly, or see the article on shoe tongue padding and fit for more detail. The lace tension matters more than the pattern, and the right tension keeps the midfoot secure without cutting off circulation. See shoe lace tension and fit for a fuller discussion.

Standard crisscross lacing

Crisscross, also called checkerboard or zigzag lacing, is the default for most shoes and boots. Start by inserting the lace through the bottom pair of eyelets so the ends come out on top. Then take each end diagonally to the next eyelet up on the opposite side, and push it in from the top so it comes out underneath. Pull both ends even each time you cross.

Repeat all the way up. When you reach the top, the lace ends will be on opposite sides, ready to tie. The crisscross gives balanced tension across the instep and lets the laces slide freely through the eyelets, so it is easy to loosen the shoe when you take it off and tighten it when you put it on. It works on running shoes, casual sneakers, and most lace-up boots like ankle boots.

• Feed each lace through the bottom pair of eyelets, ends pointing up.
• Take the left lace to the next right eyelet and pass it through from top to bottom.
• Take the right lace to the next left eyelet and pass it through the same way.
• Continue alternating until you reach the top pair of eyelets.
• Pull the ends to tighten evenly, then tie.

Straight bar lacing for dress shoes

Straight bar lacing, sometimes called European or dress shoe lacing, creates horizontal bars across the vamp and looks deliberate and clean. It is the most common lacing on leather oxfords and men's dress shoes. The pattern also spreads lace pressure more broadly over the top of the foot instead of concentrating it at X-shaped crossings.

Start with the lace going across the bottom, from one bottom eyelet straight to the other, so the ends hang down on both sides. Then take the left end and bring it straight up the left side, into the second eyelet from the bottom, across horizontally to the right side, and out. The right end follows the same pattern on the right side, crossing horizontally at each row so both ends alternate.

This method leaves a straight segment across each eyelet pair. The vertical segments run on the inside of the shoe, hidden between the tongue and the upper. It can take more careful alignment to get the horizontal bars level, especially with shoes that have an odd number of eyelet pairs, but the result looks tidy under a suit or uniform.

If your dress shoe has an odd number of eyelet pairs, the bar will sit slightly off center. That is normal. You can hide the starting bar by threading one lace end under the other at the bottom. See loafers vs oxfords if you are deciding between laceless loafers and laced oxfords.

Heel lock loop lacing for boots

The heel lock, also called a lace lock or runner's loop, uses the top eyelets to pull the heel firmly into the heel counter. It is especially helpful in hiking boots, work boots, and any shoe where your heel lifts when you walk uphill or on uneven ground. A snug heel reduces friction and lowers the chance of blisters, which is a common concern in footwear that has a stiff sole or a tall shaft.

To do it, lace the shoe normally with your preferred pattern, but leave the top pair of eyelets empty. When you reach the second-from-top eyelets, form a loop with each lace end on the same side, then cross the ends through the opposite loops and pull tight before tying. The result is a loop that pulls the tongue and collar down against the instep while the heel stays anchored.

Use the heel lock on boots with a high shaft like work boots or on hiking boots if you feel your foot moving inside the boot. It also works on athletic shoes when you want extra security on quick turns. The pattern adds a little time to lacing, and it can make the shoe feel tighter around the ankle, so it is not the best choice for people who prefer a roomy instep. For more on boot lacing fit, see boot lacing patterns fit.

• Lace the shoe normally to the second-to-top eyelet pair.
• At that pair, form a small loop on each side by doubling the lace back on itself.
• Cross the left lace end through the right loop and the right lace end through the left loop.
• Pull the ends outward and down to cinch the loops tight against the eyelets.
• Tie a normal knot at the top.

Adjusting lace tension for your foot

Lacing should fit your foot shape, not just your shoe. If you have a high instep, looser laces across the midfoot can ease pressure, while a heel lock keeps the back of the shoe snug. If you have a wide forefoot, you may want to lace the bottom more loosely and tighten only above the instep to avoid squeezing the widest part of your foot. See how to choose shoe for high arches if that fits your foot.

For people with flat feet, a more supportive feel comes from lacing tightly through the midfoot, which holds the arch area of the shoe closer to the foot. But do not overtighten to the point where the lace digs into the top of the foot. Direct pressure on the instep can cause discomfort, and the shoe should support, not compress. For more guidance, see how to choose shoe for flat feet.

If one foot is larger than the other, lace each shoe independently and do not expect both to have identical tension. The smaller foot may need a slightly tighter lace to match the support the larger foot gets with a looser one. Lace tension should also change with sock thickness; thicker socks need a bit more room, so loosen the laces before you push your foot in.

Common lacing problems and simple fixes

Laces that keep coming untied often have a knot that is too loose or too high. Tie a standard bow and then a second overhand knot at the base, or switch to a heel lock pattern which reduces the slack in the lace and changes the angle of pull on the knot. The friction of the loop against the eyelet helps hold the laces in place.

If the tongue slides to one side, the lace may not be crossing over it evenly. Untie and re-lace, making sure each crossover sits centered on the tongue before you pull it tight. On boots with a gusseted tongue, the tongue is attached to the upper, so it cannot slide; see boot gusseted tongue for why that matters.

When lace pressure hurts the top of the foot, use a lacing pattern that puts fewer crosses directly over the instep. A straight bar with extra space between bars can relieve pressure. The heel lock can also help by transferring some of the load to the ankle, rather than the instep. For eyelet or lace damage, see the guide on shoelace types and closures.

• Laces slipping or untie: add a surgeon's knot or heel lock.
• Tongue sliding: re-center the crossover on the tongue before tightening.
• Pain on the instep: use straight bar lacing to spread pressure.
• Heel lift: use a heel lock at the top eyelets.
• Laces too short: check shoelace length selection for the right size.

Which lacing style for your use

Questions

What is the most common shoe lacing pattern?

The standard crisscross, also called checkerboard lacing, is the default on most sneakers, casual shoes, and many boots. It gives even tension, is quick to do, and allows the laces to slide easily when you loosen or tighten the shoe.

Why do my laces always come untied?

A loose knot or too much lace slack is the usual cause. Try a heel lock pattern, which reduces slack and changes the angle of pull on the knot. Adding a second overhand knot on top of the bow also helps, and flat laces tend to hold knots better than round ones.

Can I use straight bar lacing on boots?

Yes, but it is more common on dress shoes and oxfords. On boots, the horizontal bars can make the lacing harder to tighten evenly, and a crisscross or heel lock pattern gives more control over tension along the shaft, which helps with fit and ankle support.

Does lacing affect how a shoe fits my foot?

It does. The pattern changes how pressure is distributed across the top of your foot and around the heel. Crisscross puts even pressure, straight bar spreads it over a wider area, and heel lock pulls the heel back into the cup, which can reduce foot slide and blisters.

How tight should I pull the laces?

Pull each cross snug enough that your foot feels held, without pressure that hurts the instep or cuts off circulation. You should be able to slide a finger under the laces at the tongue. For high arches, keep the midfoot looser; for flat feet, tighten the midfoot slightly more.

Do I need a different lacing for wide feet?

If you have wide feet, you often want less pressure over the instep and the widest part of the forefoot. Crisscross lacing with looser bottom crosses works well, or you can skip the bottom cross and start lacing from the second eyelet pair. A heel lock can add ankle security without tightening the forefoot.