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Shoe Shop Lacing
Sometimes referred to as "Factory Lacing" or "Single Helix Lacing"
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Often seen in shoe shops because many shoes come pre-laced this way from the factory. One end runs from bottom to
top while the other end zig-zags through the eyelets. There's two variations shown: One with a long diagonal
segment, the other with a long straight segment.
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Method 1 (long diagonal segment)
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Lacing Technique 1 (long diagonal segment):
1. The lace is run straight across the bottom (grey section) and the ends are fed in through both bottom eyelets.
2. The left (blue) end is crossed diagonally on the inside all the way to the top of the shoe and emerges through
the top right eyelet.
3. The right (yellow) end is crossed diagonally on the inside and emerges through the next eyelet up the left side
of the shoe, then continues straight across on the outside and is fed in through the opposite eyelet on the right
side.
4. Repeat step (3) with the same end, each time running diagonally on the inside and straight across on the outside,
until it reaches the top left eyelet.
Comparative Length = 108%
Laced area uses more (about +8%)
Longer laces needed (about +4%)
Shortens lace ends (about −7%)
More details |
Method 2 (long straight segment)
Faint sections are underneath |
Lacing Technique 2 (long straight segment):
1. The lace is run straight across the bottom (grey section) and the ends are fed in through both bottom eyelets.
2. The left (blue) end is run straight up on the inside all the way to the top of the shoe and emerges through the
top left eyelet.
3. The right (yellow) end is crossed diagonally on the inside and emerges through the next eyelet up the left side
of the shoe, then continues straight across on the outside and is fed in through the opposite eyelet on the right
side.
4. Repeat step (3) with the same end, each time running diagonally on the inside and straight across on the
outside, until it reaches the second row from the top of the shoe.
5. The right (yellow) end is run straight up on the inside and emerges through the top right eyelet.
Comparative Length = 101%
Laced area uses more (about +1%)
Longer laces needed (about +1%)
Shortens lace ends (about −1%)
More details |
Shoe Shop Lacing on some black and white shoes with white laces.
More Lacing Photos |
Features:
Easy to lace
End lengths shift
NOTE:
The left and right shoes can be laced in reverse (mirror image) so as to end up with a symmetrical look.
Sports / Military Advice:
Like other straight lacing methods, Shoe Shop Lacing has an additional benefit for sporting or military use: The
upper horizontal sections of shoelace can be quickly cut through with a knife or scissors in order to more easily
remove a boot from a broken, sprained or otherwise injured ankle or foot.
I've been told that Shoe Shop Lacing was the method of choice for the British Army (until they introduced boots
with both eyelets and lugs) and Police force. I've also been told that the British Navy recommended the same
technique for fast removal of boots in case of getting washed overboard.
Note that most military forces have regulations for just about everything, so I'd recommend that military personnel
check before they adopt this, or any other, possible non-regulation lacing method! |
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This page last updated: 01-Mar-2010. Copyright © 2003-2010 by
Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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