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Straight (European) Lacing
Sometimes referred to as "Ladder Lacing"
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This traditional method of Straight Lacing appears to be more common in Europe. The laces run straight across on
the outside and diagonally on the inside.
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My Dad's dress shoes demonstrate how Straight (European) Lacing allows the shoe sides to come completely together. |
Lacing Technique:
1. The lace is run straight across the bottom (grey section) and the ends are fed in through both bottom eyelets.
2. The right (yellow) end is crossed diagonally on the inside and emerges through the next eyelet up the shoe, then
continues straight across on the outside and is fed in through the eyelet on the opposite side.
3. The left (blue) end is crossed diagonally on the inside at a steeper angle, skipping past one eyelet to emerge
through the next empty eyelet up the shoe. It then continues straight across on the outside and is fed in through
the eyelet on the opposite side.
4. Repeat step (3) with each end in turn, each time running diagonally on the inside and straight across on the
outside, until both ends reach the top eyelets.
Features:
Neat on top
Messy underneath
Comparative Length = 105%
Laced area uses more (about +5%)
Longer laces needed (about +2%)
Shortens lace ends (about −4%)
More details
NOTE:
Although visually messy, the underlying zig-zag makes this lacing very tight & secure. The mess is mainly
noticeable on shoes and sneakers with a wide spacing (as seen in the first photo at left). On dress shoes, where
the sides of the shoes are designed to meet in the middle, the underlying zig-zag will be completely hidden (as
seen in the second photo at left).
In addition, this lacing allows the shoe sides to come completely together without interruption, resulting in less
bunching and corrugation of the shoe uppers.
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Sports / Military Advice:
Like other straight lacing methods, Straight (European) 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.
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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Recent Photos (sent by site visitors)
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Hover over any photo for details, or click to enlarge in the
Shoe Lacing Photos page.
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This page last updated: 29-Jun-2010. Copyright © 2003-2010 by
Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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