How to Lace Converse

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Converse shoes can provide a trendy, fresh look to your outfit, and they’re a great fit for almost any occasion. However, lacing your Converse can be a daunting task, especially if you’re trying out a new lace pattern . While none of the methods below are too tough, they’re a great jumping off point to learn the basics of lacing. Try out a few different ways to lace your Converse and impress your friends!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Criss-Cross Shoelace Pattern

1
Pull the shoelace straight across the bottom set of eyelets. Thread the lace along the underside of the Converse, bringing both ends up through the bottom set of eyelets. There should be a straight horizontal bar connecting the two bottom eyelets. Make the length of each end as even as possible so your laces look symmetrical in the end.^{[1]
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- This is the most traditional, common lacing style for shoes of all types since it’s both simple and comfortable.
2
Thread "Side A" up and across. Pull "Side A" on the left side of the shoe through the left bottom eyelet and into the right eyelet second from the bottom. This creates a diagonal line connecting the 2 eyelets. The shoelace should be pulled over the left bottom hole but pushed through the second-to-bottom hole on the right from the underside of the eyelet. Pull the lace through the right eyelet so that it comes out and over the top once more.^{[2]
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3
Thread "Side B" up and across. Pull "Side B," the one on the right side of the shoe, through the right bottom eyelet and into the left eyelet second from the bottom. This should make another diagonal line connecting the 2 eyelets. Pull the shoelace over the right bottom eyelet, but push it through the second-to-bottom eyelet on the left from the underside. Pull the lace end through the left eyelet so that it pokes through and drapes over the top once again.^{[3]
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4
Cross the 2 sides back and forth. Continue alternating "Side A" and "Side B" back and forth, criss-crossing the two laces until you reach the top pair of eyelets. Each end should be pulled through its eyelet and laced into the eyelet on the opposite side one row up.^{[4]
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- If you want your shoes to fit loosely, don’t pull the laces super tight. Instead, leave a little bit of slack as you continue upwards.
5
Pull the 2 ends together at the top pair of eyelets. This should create another horizontal pathway, similar to the one at the bottom. Tie the 2 laces in a bow to secure your feet on your shoes. Now you’re ready to go!^{[5]
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- You can also tuck the laces underneath the cushion of the shoe if you don't want the laces showing.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Straight Bar Lacing

1
Bring "Side A up. "Side A," or the shoelace on the left side of the shoe, should be pulled through the left eyelet second from the bottom. Remember to keep the shoelace from curling up, especially if you are using flat laces.^{[6]
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2
Thread "Side A" across. Pull the shoelace over the front of your shoe and into the right hole lying directly opposite the hole you pulled it through. You should see a horizontal bar across the front of your shoe. The end of this side should be tucked under the side of your Converse again.^{[7]
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3
Bring "Side B" up, skipping one set of eyelets. Keep the hole second from the bottom occupied by "Side A." Remember, once again, do not curl the lace, especially if they are flat laces.^{[8]
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- If the lace does start to curl, work your hands over the lace continuously until it is flat again.
4
Thread "Side B" across. Pull the shoelace end across the front of the shoe and lace it into the left eyelet third from the bottom, directly opposite the eyelet you pulled it through. This should create another horizontal bar across the front of your shoe, and the end should remain hidden from the front.^{[9]
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5
Lace alternate eyelets in this pattern. Lace "side A" through the eyelet pairs second, fourth, and sixth from the bottom. Lace "side B" through the eyelet pairs third, fifth, and seventh from the bottom. This should leave you with a column of horizontal bars without any diagonal underlying.^{[10]
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- Always keep those laces flat!
6
Pull through and tie the ends together. Pull "Side A" through the right eyelet and "Side B" through the left eyelet at the top pair. Tie them together with a standard shoelace bow to complete your look!^{[11]
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- You can also tuck the laces underneath the cushion of your shoe so you don't have laces hanging out of the top.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Double-Sided Lace Pattern

1
Choose the right shoelaces based on your number of eyelets. You will need 2 different shoelaces in separate colors for this lacing style, but the 2 laces must be equal in length. Use flat, thin shoelaces so that you can fit both laces through each eyelet. You can do this technique on Converse with an odd number of eyelet paris, but it will look the most symmetrical with shoes that have an even number of pairs.^{[12]
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- If you are using 2 pairs of eyelets, choose shoelace 28 inches (71 cm) long.
- If you are using 3 pairs of eyelets, choose shoelaces 32 inches (81 cm) in length.
- If you are using 4 pairs of eyelets, choose shoelaces 36 inches (92 cm) long.
- If you are using 5 pairs of eyelets, use shoelaces 40 inches (102 cm) in length.
- If you are using 6 pairs of eyelets, use shoelaces 44 inches (113 cm) long.
- If you are using 7 pairs of eyelets, use shoelaces 48 inches (123 cm) in length.
- If you are using 8 pairs of eyelets, choose laces 53 inches (134 cm) long.
2
Hold the 2 shoelaces together. Arrange the 2 shoelaces so that they are evenly lined up and back-to-back. Make sure the laces are even and flat, and that they’re both exactly the same length.^{[13]
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- This method is similar to the criss-cross method, but it’s slightly harder to tighten up.
3
Thread the laces through the bottom pair of eyelets. Pull the double-laces through the bottom set of eyelets so that "Color One" shows. The other lace, "Color Two," will be hidden behind the top lace. The shoelaces should be threaded into the eyelets from the bottom so that the ends come up through the eyelets.^{[14]
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- The ends of the laces will drape over the sides of the shoes when you’re done with this step.
4
Cross "Side A" diagonally upward. Pull "Side A" out of the bottom left eyelet and through the second-to-bottom right eyelet. Make sure that the shoelaces are twisted so that "Color Two" is now on top while "Color One" is hidden on the bottom. A diagonal line should connect the bottom and second-to-bottom holes on opposing sides of the Converse. Pull the laces from the underside of the right second-to-bottom hole and over the top.^{[15]
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5
Cross "Side B" diagonally upward. Pull "Side B" out of the bottom right eyelet and through the second-to-bottom left eyelet. The shoelaces should be twisted to match the other half of the criss-cross. "Color Two" should show on the top and "Color One" should be hidden on the bottom. The 2 eyelets should be connected by a diagonal line. Pull the shoelaces through the left eyelet from the underside, letting them drape over the top of the left eyelet once you pull them through.^{[16]
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6
Twist the shoelaces to the other side. Repeat the criss-crossing pattern, but twist the shoelaces so that Color One is now on top while Color Two is now hidden on the bottom. Alternate "Side A" and "Side B" back and forth, criss-crossing the eyelets so that each end is pulled through its eyelet and into the eyelet on the opposite side one row up.^{[17]
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- Doing the twist will show a quick pop of color in the middle of your shoes.
7
Twist and cross until you reach the top. Continue twisting and criss-crossing the shoelaces. Each "x" across your shoes should be composed of a single color, but each "x" should be the opposite color of the "x" beneath it and above it.^{[18]
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8
Pull the laces through the top and tie them together. When you pull the shoelaces through the top set of eyelets, it doesn’t matter which side of the double-lace shows, since both sides will show when you tie your shoes. Alternatively, you can make tying the shoes easier by tucking one color shoelace into the top of your shoe and only tying the other color in the front of your shoe. Otherwise, you will tie your shoes using both laces.^{[19]
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- When you untie your shoes, leave the laces in the eyelets so they keep their alternating pattern.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Bar Lacing

1
Unlace the top 2 eyelets of your shoes. You can try bar lacing if you already have your shoes laced in a criss-cross pattern. Unlace the top 2 eyelets and let the laces fall to either side of your shoe to start.^{[20]
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- You can try this method with other versions of lacing, like the straight bar, but it works the best with the criss-cross.
2
Pull the outside lace across the tongue and into the first side hole. Grab the lace that’s furthest away from the side holes, or the lace on the outside of your shoe. Cross that lace over the tongue and into the side hole nearest the toe so that it sticks out of your shoe.^{[21]
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3
Slide that same lace through the second side hole. Grab the lace coming out of the side of your shoe and put it into the second side hole. Then, grab it from the inside of your shoe and pull it tight.^{[22]
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- Lacing your laces through the side hole can actually make your Converse tighter and fit better.
4
Lace your laces back through the top eyelets. Grab both laces and run them back up through the top 2 eyelets of your shoe, or how you had them originally. They might be a little bit uneven, but you can adjust them in just a second.^{[23]
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- Keep the lace that’s sticking through the side of your shoe as close to the tongue as possible so it doesn’t rub against your foot as you walk.
5
Tie your shoes up again. Try out your new lacing method by tying up your shoes and seeing how they fit. If you need to, you can pull the lace through the side hole of your shoes more or less to tighten and loosen the fit.^{[24]
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- This is a great hack if your shoes are feeling floppy!

Community Q&A

Question

How do I lace them so I won't have to tie my shoes?

Aidan Boyers

Community Answer

Try and lace them loosely, and when laced all the way up, either let them hang, or tie a small knot at each end of the lace so that they won't fall out of the last hole
Question

Why are there 2 tongues?

Kat :3

Community Answer

It's just a design choice. The suggested way to wear a double tongue shoe is with one tongue folded over so that you can see the design on the inner tongue. Look up pictures or videos for more info.
Question

How do I keep the tongue from scrunching up?

Community Answer

Tie your laces tightly to keep your tongues up and flat on your ankles.