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Lug Lacing Methods
Lug Lacing Methods Many shoes, sneakers and boots come with lugs instead of eyelets. These are usually flat loops made of cloth or leather, though they can also be rings, hooks or tubes made of metal or nylon. The shoelaces run through these lugs along the surface of the shoe rather than between the inside and outside of the shoe, resulting in somewhat different lacing.

This section presents a number of variations of regular Lacing Methods that are suitable for shoes with lugs.


18 Ways To Lace Shoes With Lugs
These diagrams are all drawn as though looking from the front of the shoe, such that the lower part of the lacing is at the bottom of the diagram, and are colour-coded to make it easier to follow where the lace runs. Generally, the start of the lacing is Grey, while the lace end that starts on the left side is Blue and the end that starts on the right side is Yellow. For colour-blind visitors, Blue=Dark=Left, Yellow=Light=Right.
Lug Criss Cross Lacing Lug Criss Cross Lacing
A lug version of Criss Cross Lacing. This is the intended method of lacing shoes and boots that come with lugs instead of eyelets. The laces simply criss-cross as they work their way up the shoe.
FEATURES:
Traditional look
Simple to lace
Comfortable
Uninteresting
Lug Infinity Lacing Lug Infinity ∞ Lacing
Specifically for shoes with lugs, this lacing resembles a series of infinity "∞" symbols. This lacing works best with thinner shoelaces because each lug needs to accommodate two passes of shoelace.
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Harder to tighten
No thick laces
Shortens ends
Lug Hiking / Biking Lacing Lug Hiking / Biking Lacing
A lug version of Hiking / Biking Lacing, which keeps the knots & ends to the side, away from either snagging undergrowth or from bicycle chains & cranks.
FEATURES:
Reduces snagging
Messy look
Less snug at top
Lengthens ends
Lug Shoe Shop Lacing Lug Shoe Shop Lacing
A lug version of Shoe Shop Lacing. Whilst this does look interesting, it shifts the sides of the shoe out of alignment, though this may be useful to correct an otherwise ill-fitting shoe.
FEATURES:
Unusual look
Mis-aligns sides
Modifies fit
Shortens ends
Lug Ladder Lacing Lug Ladder Lacing
A lug version of Ladder Lacing. It also looks very similar to Lug Infinity ∞ Lacing, and is useful when the lugs are too narrow to fit two passes of shoelace.
FEATURES:
Distinctive look
Stays very tight
Harder to tighten
Shortens ends
Lug Spider Web Lacing Lug Spider Web Lacing
A lug version of Spider Web Lacing. Another decorative lacing method used on military boots, which is like Lug Ladder Lacing running at an angle, creating a woven web of shoelace.
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Firm & tight
Harder to tighten
Shortens ends
Lug Double Back Lacing Lug Double Back Lacing
A lug version of Double Back Lacing. Although terribly awkward to tighten, this method looks interesting, holds very firmly, and can also be used if you're desperate to shorten long lace ends.
FEATURES:
Stays very tight
Terribly awkward
Shortens ends
Lug Bow Tie Lacing Lug Bow Tie Lacing
A lug version of Bow Tie Lacing. So named because the outline resembles the shape of a bow-tie, this method makes the most efficient use of lace and thus is useful for "lengthening" short lace ends.
FEATURES:
Comfort "zones"
Loose fit
Lengthens ends
Lug Hash Lacing Lug Hash Lacing
A lug version of Hash Lacing. When used on modern boots and sneakers with a wide gap between the sides, the result resembles a diagonal series of hash "#" symbols.
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Harder to tighten
Shortens ends
Lug Lattice Lacing Lug Lattice Lacing
A lug version of Lattice Lacing. Great for boots and sneakers with a wide gap, this very popular method forms a neat woven lattice in the middle of the lacing.
FEATURES:
Very popular!
Decorative look
Harder to tighten
Shortens ends
Lug Zipper Lacing Lug Zipper Lacing
A lug version of Zipper Lacing. Though awkward to tighten, this lacing holds very firmly, making it great for lacing skates tightly. It also looks interesting, a bit like a giant zipper.
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Holds very firmly
Harder to tighten
Shortens ends
Lug Segmented Lacing Lug Segmented Lacing
A lug version of Segmented Lacing. This variation divides the lacing into two or more "segments", each of which can be laced up as tightly or loosely as necessary to achieve a comfortable yet secure fit for "difficult" shoes or feet.
FEATURES:
Customizable
Many uses
Messy look
Lug Knotted Segment Lacing Lug Knotted Segment Lacing
A lug version of Knotted Segment Lacing. A more attractive though less flexible variation of Segmented Lacing in which a knot makes the lower segment of shoelace permanently tighter or looser.
FEATURES:
Customizable
Many uses
Harder to get off
Shortens ends
Lug Double Lacing Lug Double Lacing
A lug version of Double Lacing. Another way of ending up with two colours is to use two laces. These are interwoven up the shoe, ending up with four lace ends that can then be tied creatively.
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Creative options
Needs new laces
Lug Loop Back Lacing Lug Loop Back Lacing
A lug version of Loop Back Lacing. Each side loops back on itself down the middle, rather like when two springs become intertwined. However, those loop-backs tend to shift off-centre.
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Laces wear more
Centreline shifts
Shortens ends
Lug Knotted Lacing Lug Knotted Lacing
A lug version of Knotted Lacing. Adding an overhand knot at each crossover increases friction and keeps the lacing much firmer. Ideal for tightening ice skates, rollerblades, etc.
FEATURES:
Keeps lacing tight
Assists tightening
Harder to loosen
Shortens ends
Lug Twistie Lacing Lug Twistie Lacing
A lug version of Twistie Lacing. Like a combination of Loop Back and Knotted Lacing, the laces are twisted together with a vertical overhand knot at each crossover before continuing to the other side.
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Keeps lacing tight
Harder to loosen
Shortens ends
Lug Hexagram Lacing Lug Hexagram Lacing - NEW!
A lug version of Hexagram Lacing. This purely decorative lacing forms a hexagram, or six pointed star.
FEATURES:
Decorative look
Loose fit
Harder to tighten
Lengthens ends
For shoes with eyelets instead of lugs, see the regular Lacing Methods. This section contains fewer methods because some are either impractical with lugs or are no longer unique. For example, there are no lug versions of Over Under, Display Shoe or Double Helix Lacing because they would all be equivalent to Lug Criss Cross Lacing.

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See Also
Lacing Methods Lacing Methods
Various methods for lacing regular shoes with eyelets.
Bi-Color Lacing Methods Bi-Color Lacing Methods
Various methods for lacing shoes using two or more colors.


This page last updated: 08-May-2010. Copyright © 2007-2010 by Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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Eyelet Lacing Methods
Lacing Methods
(for shoes with eyelets)
Bi-Color Lacing Methods
Bi-Color Methods
(lacing with two colors)
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