How to Lace Your Shoes

Learning how to lace your shoes is an important skill. Mastering this skill can help you look better and feel more comfortable. It can also help you prevent blisters or discomfort while wearing your shoes.

Lacing your shoes the right way is a simple process and only takes a few minutes. You’ll need your shoes, some laces, and a few additional pieces of equipment.

What You’ll Need

Your shoes
Shoelaces
Scissors (optional)
Cream, wax, or lubricant (optional)

Instructions

Prepare your laces. If your laces are too long or have been worn many times and have lost their shape, you may want to replace them. If you decide to keep your existing laces, you may need to trim them before beginning to lace your shoes. Measure the length of the laces against the length of your shoe and cut the laces to size if needed.
Alternatively, if your laces are too short, you can buy new laces that are the correct length for your shoes.
Thread the laces. Start by threading the laces into the bottom set of eyelets. Make sure the laces are equal in length on both sides. Once the laces are threaded, tie a knot at the end of each lace.
If your shoes have more than two eyelets, you may want to use a wax, lubricant, or cream on the laces before you start lacing. This can help make the laces slide more easily through the eyelets.
Lace the shoes. Begin lacing the shoes from the bottom set of eyelets. Start on the left side and thread the left-hand lace through the eyelet from the inside of the shoe, going out and over the top. Then thread the right-hand lace through the eyelet from the outside of the shoe, going in and under the top.
Continue threading the laces up the shoe, alternating sides as you go. Make sure the laces are equal in length on both sides and there are no gaps or tension as you go along.
Tie the laces. Once you’ve finished lacing your shoes, tie the laces together in a bow. Make sure the laces are equally tight and the knot is secure. You may want to double knot the laces for extra security.

Tips

If you’re lacing up a pair of running shoes, you may want to use a special lacing technique known as the runner’s loop. This technique uses loops instead of bows to secure the laces and gives you a more comfortable fit.
Try using thicker laces. Thicker laces are more durable and won’t loosen as easily as thinner laces.
Once your laces are laced up, spray them with a fabric protector or similar product. This will help keep the laces clean and protect them from moisture and dirt.

Conclusion

Learning how to lace your shoes is an important skill for anyone who wears shoes. It can help you look better and feel more comfortable. It can also help prevent blisters or discomfort while wearing your shoes. The process of lacing your shoes is a simple one that only takes a few minutes. Once you’ve mastered the process, you’ll be lacing your shoes like a pro in no time.