Different Ways to Put in Shoe Strings

Though you may see lacing shoestrings as just a way to tighten and loosen your shoes, lacing your shoes can be an art form and a method of self-expression. Mathematically, there are trillions of ways to tie shoestrings, all which can be as complicated or simple as you like. From the traditional crisscross shoe lacing to the more complex zipper lacing, the sky is the limit when it comes to lacing shoes.

  1. Crisscross

    • The crisscross style of lacing is one of the most common ways to tie shoestrings. The shoestrings should be pulled straight across through both holes at the bottom of the shoe, or the holes that are closest to the toe of the shoe. Then the strings are crossed back and forth, with the string fed under and through a hole, then out the top and crossing to the opposite side. At the top holes in the shoe, the laces are fed through the underside and tied at the top. This way of lacing shoes is not only one of the more simple, traditional styles of lacing but also provides comfort because the laces can be tightened and loosened easily over all areas of the shoe.

    Over Under (Even)

    • Over-under lacing is similar to the crisscross style, but the crosses alternate with one cross over the eyelet and one cross under the eyelet. The over-under method of lacing shoes varies based on whether the number of eyelet pairs is an odd or even number. For an even number of eyelet pairs, each end of the laces is inserted down into the first pair of eyelets, and then the laces are crossed and fed up through the second set of holes. After the laces come through the second set of holes, they are crossed again and fed down through the third set of holes. This pattern is repeated until you reach the top laces and can tie the strings.

    Over Under (Odd)

    • Over-under lacing for an odd number of eyelet pairs begins with feeding each end of the shoestrings up through the first pair of eyelets. The shoelaces are crossed over the top of the shoe then inserted back down through the eyelet pairs. This pattern is repeated as the laces are worked through the series of eyelets. The over-under style of lacing shoes is beneficial because the laces can be pulled through the holes with less resistance than with other lacing stylees. Because you can tighten and loosen the shoestring easier, it causes less stress on the string and, therefore, reduces wear and tear.