How to Lace Trainers: 4 Ways to Lace your Trainers

First up, to prevent any confusion, let us clarify the two terms:

• Lacing is the process of threading the laces into the shoe’s eyelets.
• Tying is the process of knotting the two laces together once the shoe is on your foot, to keep it secure.

This blog post focuses on lacing your trainers. If you’re keen to learn different ways of tying them - i.e. different knots and so on - we recommend checking other resources.

Method 1: Criss-cross lacing

Perhaps the best-known way to lace up trainers, this technique sees you cross the laces over each other as they progress from the lower to the upper eyelets. This technique is popular because it looks good, it’s easy to do, and it gives a snug secure fit.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start at the bottom eyelets

Poke one end of the lace through the bottom left eyelet, and the other end of the lace through the bottom right eyelet. This should be done outward from below. 

Make sure you have an equal length of lace on each side of the eyelet: this is important in giving you a clean, easy to tie knot when you reach the top.

2. Cross the laces

Take the right lace and cross it over to the left side of the shoe, poking it through the second eyelet up on the left side: again, poke it through from below.

Repeat this step with the left lace and poke it through the second eyelet up on the right side. If you’re using flat laces, ensure they stay flat! Getting them twisted at this step requires you unlacing the shoe to untwist.

3. Continue up the shoe 

Repeat this pattern up the shoe, alternating sides as you go (so when you’re lacing at the third eyelet level, start with the left lace then do the right). Pull each layer tight as you get to it, to give you a snug fit and plenty of lace to work with when you get to the top.

Method 2: Straight bar lacing

Straight bar lacing is a subtle twist on the criss-cross style, with the end result being a straight line of lace between the eyelets on each side. This is a slightly more minimalist presentation and may suit you if you want something subtly eye-catching.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start at the bottom 

Thread the lace through the bottom eyelets as per criss-cross, but start from the outside rather than the inside - i.e., the lace should sit on top of the eyelets rather than below them.

2. Lace the right side

Take the end of the right lace and thread it upward through the second eyelet on the right side. Then cross it over to the left side and insert it into the eyelet at the matching level.

3. Lace the left side

Take the end of the left lace and repeat the process, poking it into the next empty eyelet you come to - namely, the third one up.

Continue this pattern until you reach the top: the right lace will go into odd-numbered eyelets, counting from the bottom; the left side into evens.

Method 3: Loopback lacing

In loopback lacing we return to diagonal lines rather than horizontal, but there’s a twist! Instead of the lace going from one side of the shoe to the other, it meets the opposite lace midway between then loops back to the other side. The result is a quirky lacing method that adds extra support to your shoe.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Start at the bottom

Follow the criss-cross method for the first two eyelets, that is: one end of the lace through the bottom left eyelet, the other through the bottom right, both poked through from the inside.

2. Create the first loop

Get hold of the right and left end of the lace and go to cross them to the other side of the shoe, but when you get halfway, cross them over each other and pull each side back to the side of the shoe it started from. Poke each lace end into the eyelet directly above where it started.

3. Continue upwards 

Repeat this pattern all the way up the shoe. When done correctly, each end of the lace should only ever go into eyelets on one side of the shoe. 

Method 4: Ladder lacing

With straight bar lacing, only the horizontal bars are visible. Ladder lacing is another method that leads to horizontal lines, but what differentiates it from straight bar lacing is that the vertical sections are visible as well. The end result looks a bit like a ladder, hence the name!

As well as looking nifty, this method creates a secure and supportive fit - just be aware you'll have less lace to work with when it comes to tying. Here's how to ladder lace:

1. Start at the bottom eyelets

Step 1 here is the same for criss-cross: poke one end of the lace through the bottom right eyelet from below, and the other end of the lace into the left bottom eyelet. Pull them to ensure they're even in length.

2. Create the ladder

Next, take the end of the right lace and thread it upward through the second eyelet on the right side of the shoe. You should see a vertical line between the first and second eyelets on the outside of the shoe.

Repeat this with the end of the left lace, threading it upward through the second eyelet on the left.

Then cross each lace to the other side of the shoe and poke it through the eyelet on the other side. Unlike the previous two methods, the laces will layer over each other in this step.

3. Continue up the shoe

Repeat step 2 all the way to the top of the shoe.

We’re knot kidding: lacing can make a big difference!

While a big consideration when choosing the preferred lacing for your trainers is aesthetic, comfort and fit does come into play as well. And while it might seem a bit long-winded trying out all the different methods, we do recommend giving a couple a try to get an idea of how different they feel on your feet. This is especially important if your shoes are a bit uncomfortable, or you need more support.

Our comprehensive range of trainers includes both men's trainers, ranging from formal styles to a more casual look, as well as women's trainers, available in an array of different colours, from white to black, meaning you’re sure to find something at Jones Bootmaker that will complement your aesthetic and your budget.

And if you have any other questions about shoes and shoe care just get in touch with our team - we’ll be happy to help.