Straight lacing (also known as bar lacing) is a crisp looking shoe lacing technique that not only looks cool, but is a time saving hack too. Once your shoes are straight laced you can simply slip them on each morning without the need to tie them up every time.
Straight lacing has it’s uses in the military, in sporting and in marching bands, for formal use too. It’s also a historical way of lacing up dress shoes.
The lacing style features horizontal straight laces that cross the shoe tongue, with hidden laces that run vertical underneath the canvas sides. The result is a tidy, crisp effect that is comfortable on the top of the foot. It allows for better flexibility of the foot too.
In this tutorial I’ll be showing you how to achieve the straight lacing technique, including step by step instructions with photos and a video to make it as helpful as possible for you. I’ll be showing how to do this using my pair of Vans, have have seven pairs of eyelets. Please note this lacing style can be done on any number of eyelets!
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How To Straight Lace Shoes (also known as bar lacing)
Straight lacing can seem a little difficult at first glance, however once you get going with the pattern you’ll realise it’s super simple. Make sure to double check your results with my photos as you go and take your time with it.
Here’s a video tutorial of me showing how to straight lace (or bar lace – same thing!) my pair of Vans, if you’d prefer to watch the steps:
Step 1.
- Start out with fresh clean laces for best results. Check out my guide to cleaning shoes laces if you need to freshen yours up first.
- Slide a pair of socks underneath the shoe tongue, to add resistance under it. This way your bar lacing pattern will turn out evenly.
- Thread your lace down into the two very bottom eyelets on your shoe. It’s important to thread the lace into the eyelets from above, not from underneath, as I have done in the above image. As you will see, we have created the first ‘bar’ like straight lace. Ensure both laces are the same length at this stage.
- Next take the lace end on the right hand side and feed it up into the second eyelet from the bottom, from underneath this time, as pictured above. Make sure your result looks like mine in the above image, and the lace is definitely coming up into the second eyelet from the bottom, on the right, from underneath.
Step 2.
- Now bring the lace on the right hand side over the shoe tongue to the left hand side.
- Thread it down into the second eyelet on the left hand side from above, to form the second crisp straight lace. At this stage make sure your ‘bars’ are even and the same length. You want to always be checking this as you progress through the pattern, for an even turn out.
- Now move on to the other lace, and feed it up into the third eyelet from the bottom on the left hand side, from underneath (just like we did before). Double check how I have done this in the above image. You want to make sure you are using the other lace here, and not the one we have already been working with.
You may also like: Star Lacing Shoes: EASY Tutorial With Photos
Step 3.
- Now bring the lace over to the right hand side and feed it down into the third eyelet from the bottom on the right. Make sure it’s going down into the eyelet. This should form your third straight lace ‘bar’. Check it looks like mine in the above image.
- Next repeat this pattern, working with one lace at a time until you reach the top eyelets. Go slowly and double check all of your laces look even and straight. If the laces twist up, don’t be afraid to go back a step and re-do any.
- Once you reach the top of your shoe, if your shoe features 7 pairs of eyelets like mine the two lace ends should come out in the two top eyelets on the right hand side. At this stage there are two ways to finish off the design:
- Tie a knot in the two laces as I have done in the above image. Simply tuck the laces down into the shoe and slip it on to test the slack. If the lace knot bothers the side of your foot you can:
- Use lace anchors to finish off the design. Lace anchors are a handy little tool that slips on your lace ends. Once you pull them flush with the eyelet, they sit out of sight and hold your laces in place without the need for tying them. I recommend these lace anchors, they are low priced and work really well to finish off designs in a neat and convenient way.
Here’s how a lace anchor works:
It just slides onto the laces and you can pull it down to meet the eyelet. Adjust it to loosen and tighten your laces as needed.
When all of the above steps have been completed, your shoes should be neatly bar laced. Here’s how they should look:
Cool fact: in military situations straight lacing has the added benefit of ease of shoe removal. The straight ‘bars’ that cross the shoe tongue can be quickly cut for super fast removal of shoes in an emergency.
Best Shoelace Length For Straight Lacing
Different shoelace lengths will be needed for shoes with different amounts of eyelet pairs.
Here is a table to help you find the shoelace length needed for bar lacing, on your individual pair of shoes:
| Number of eyelet pairs | Shoelace length in inches |
|---|---|
| 4 | 27 |
| 5 | 36 |
| 6 | 36 |
| 7 | 45 |
| 8 | 45 |
Extra Advice
- Before starting the bar lacing technique slide a pair of balled up socks underneath the shoe or sneaker tongue. This will create some resistance under the tongue, for the bar laces to sit on. This way they’ll turn out nice and evenly, instead of wide at the bottom and short at the top.
- Always use fresh clean laces for best results. Dirty or frayed laces just don’t look as crisp. Brand new laces, or fresh laces out of the washer will have a starchy quality to them that makes them sit nicely.
- Use funky colored or patterned laces for a twist!
- Try out lace anchors for an adjustable way to slip on your shoes. Finish off the bar lacing design by securing your laces with these little anchors.
- Straight laces work best on pairs of shoes that have an even number of eyelets.
Odd Eyelet Pairs Modifications
Straight lacing works best on shoes that have eyelets pairs in an even number (8, 12, etc). If you have shoes with an odd number of eyelet pairs (5, 7, 9 etc), there are a few ways to get around this.
- In the top two eyelets you can lace the ends through and bow them.
- Tuck the bow behind the shoe tongue for a crisp finish.
- Leave the top two eyelets blank, and tuck the lace ends down under your shoe insole.
- Create a cross over lace in the top 4 eyelets, to put a twist on the design.
- Use lace anchors to fasten the lace ends neatly out of sight. You can trim the laces after applying the lace anchors for comfort. Alternatively you can tuck the lace ends down inside the shoe, if this doesn’t bother you.
FAQs
What is straight lacing?
Straight lacing (also known as bar lacing) is a shoe lacing technique that allows for shoes to slip on and off without the need for tying. The laces cross over the shoe tongue in a straight (or bar) like fashion.
Both laces ends run straight across the shoe tongue, each moving over an eyelet from underneath, and coming up two eyelets above.
Related Articles
Thank you for reading this tutorial on straight lacing shoes. I hope you try out straight lacing for yourself using my step by step instructions, and see how fresh it makes your shoes look!
For more lacing content, check out:
How To Lace Shoes So They Slip On – 3 EASY Ways
How To Lace Vans – 7 Cool Ways (EASY guide)
How To Lace Converse – 9 EASY Ways
Lorna
Lorna is a footwear geek and the founder of Wearably Weird. She created a YouTube channel in 2021 for fellow footwear fanatics, dedicated to detail-rich footwear reviews and info. She has a fashion media qualification (awarded in 2011).
wearablyweird.com/lorna
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FAQs
What are the 2 types of lace? ›
Generally, lace is divided into two main categories, needlelace and bobbin lace, although there are other types of lace, such as knitted or crocheted lace.
What is a blind eyelet? ›Blind eyelets - also known as hidden eyelets give shoes a cleaner aesthetic since the holes are smaller and are usually reinforced on the underside of the upper. Blind eyelets are the least obtrusive of any of the eyelets but are also the most difficult to adjust. These types of eyelets are mainly used in dress shoes.
What is the most popular shoe tying method? ›Also known as the “Around The Tree” shoelace knot” or simply the “Bowknot”, this is probably the most common method for tying shoelaces: Make a loop with one end, wrap the other end around and pull a loop through the in the middle.
What is elastic speed lacing? ›Speed laces replace your shoes' shoelaces. Instead of being a lace that you tighten and tie each time you put the shoe on, the speed laces keep the shoe snug on your foot while enabling you to set them at the exact tightness you are looking for, every single time.
Why won't the tongue of my shoe stay straight? ›Many times, the tongue can become crushed or bent under the laces. When you put your foot into the shoe, the tongue is more likely to move around because it's not in a perfect position. Make sure you have proper positions when lacing. Your shoelaces should be comfortable, but they should fit well.
What is the loop on shoe tongues for? ›For this reason, any Straight Tongue lacing patterns should be done only on shoes that have a tongue with a “loop” in it — this loop is meant for shoelaces to go through. Typically, the shoes that have these kinds of tongues are sneakers, such as running or athletic shoes.
Are Air Force 1s tight at first? ›I find that when you first wear a new pair, they feel a little snug, but it doesn't take long to wear them in. How do you style your Air Force 1s?
What is the strongest lace? ›Trusted by hundreds of thousands of loyal customers worldwide, Ironlace™ Laces are the strongest, most durable shoelaces in the world!
What is bride lace? ›Bridal lace is the most delicate and refined type of lace. It is used for sewing and adorning wedding dresses, bridal veils or other bridal accessory and wedding staples. No more hesitating over a wedding dress fabric choice.
What is Lyon lace? ›LYON LACE is the “creme de la creme” of all lace. Lyon Lace is actually produced on different looms than our Leavers looms – the looms are over 150+ years old and only 3 remain in existence. These looms move slower, yet can handle patterns that cannot be produced on any other loom.
What is asymmetrical lacing? ›
The Asymmetrical Lacing™ technology provides a better feeling of adhesion to the shoe by improving the fit of the upper through lacing, supporting comfortable running.
What is the 2-1-3 lacing method? ›The 2-1-3 method concerns mainly the first three hooks on the upper half of the boot. The eyelets are laced as normal. How it's done is that the laces are taken up to the second pair of hooks from the bottom first, then down to the first pair of hooks from the bottom, then up to the third pair of hooks.
How does self lacing work? ›Here's how the system works. You slip your foot into the shoe. If you've already set up a lace tightness, a new magnetic system (no longer pressure-based like the first Adapt) senses your foot's presence and tightens them. That's it.
Should I heel lock lacing? ›A “heel lock” style of lacing will prevent your heel from slipping out of the shoe and reduce excessive movement of your foot in the shoe. This helps reduce friction that causes blisters and excess wear. 1. Lace shoes in the usual criss-cross pattern until the second-to-last eyelet.
What is a blind string? ›The braided nylon, polyester or cotton cord that is used to raise and lower a blind or shade. Common sizes range from 0.9mm to 4.0mm in diameter.
What are blind strings called? ›Beaded Cord (pictured fourth)
The beaded cord forms a continuous loop which is used to raise and lower a blind. They are also used on vertical blinds for tilt control.
All blinds offer different slat sizes. Slats are the horizontal pieces that you tilt, raise, and lower when operating your blinds. The difference in slat sizes may not seem like a lot, but the right, or even the wrong, slat size can make a world of difference for your windows.
What is straight vs cross lacing? ›Straight lacing is considered the correct method for shoes with closed laces, while criss-cross lacing is considered appropriate for open laced and casual shoes. Dress shoes such as Oxfords are best secured with straight lacing because it allows the uppers of the shoe to come completely together in the middle.
What does straight laced shoes mean? ›Straight-laced: A complex boot-lacing system favored by racist skins who lace their boots in horizontal, straight lines rather than X or cross patterns.
What is the proper lace pattern? ›The pattern should be in through the top of the eyelet, across the tongue, and then back in through the top of the eyelet on the other side. Make sure your laces are facing up as you work and keep consistent whether the lace coming from one side crosses over or under the lace coming from the other side.
What is the 2 1 3 method of lacing? ›
The 2-1-3 method concerns mainly the first three hooks on the upper half of the boot. The eyelets are laced as normal. How it's done is that the laces are taken up to the second pair of hooks from the bottom first, then down to the first pair of hooks from the bottom, then up to the third pair of hooks.
What is Oxford lacing? ›As Oxford shoes are a formal style of dress shoe, you'll need to tie them in a knot that complements the look. Aim for a knot that is not chunky, but instead small, flat, and horizontal to be in line with the straight-bar lacing.
What is the strongest lacing? ›3x is the standard lacing pattern, because it is strongest. Radially spoked wheel will be slightly lighter and stiffer but can not handle torque at all.
What is the most comfortable lacing style? ›High-arch lacing can help alleviate tightness and add comfort to your shoe's fit by opening up the middle of the lace pattern. Steps: Lace the shoe with a crisscross through the first set of eyelets. Thread the shoelace only through the sides.
What does blue lace mean shoes? ›Blue: Protest of Police Brutality. In the past, blue Doc Martens were worn by people who murdered police officers and were considered “sharps.” Blue laces indicate that the wearer has killed a police officer.
Are laced shoes better? ›Lace Ups are great because it has: Better ankle support. Adjustable laces by allowing it to be easily tighten or loosen. Reports states that it provides better overall support thus when having back or feet issues, laces would be a preferable option.
What are examples of straight laced? ›To be strait-laced is to be extremely strict and uptight. Your strait-laced cousin won't be interested in joining the rest of your family in an impromptu dance party. If you know anyone who's extremely prim and proper, you can describe them as strait-laced.