Ian's Shoelace Site – Double Back Lacing

This method looks interesting plus holds very firmly, but is terribly awkward to tighten. The lacing first runs down the shoe, then doubles back up the shoe.

Diagram for 8 pairs of eyelets, variation 1

Pairs

8

7

6

5

4

3

Lacing diagram Copyright (c) 2020 by Ian Fieggen

Step

To activate controls, please enable JavaScript

Lacing Technique – Variation 1 – Hidden verticals at bottom

• Begin straight across on the outside (grey section) and in through the second-from-top set of eyelets.

• Cross the ends and feed in through the second-lower set of eyelets (skip past one set of eyelets).

• Continue down the shoe two sets of eyelets at a time.

• At the bottom, run each lace end vertically between the bottom and second-from-bottom eyelets.

• Double back and work back up the shoe, criss-crossing through the vacant sets of eyelets.

Variations

• Variation 1 has hidden verticals at the bottom.

• Variation 2 has a visible crossover at the bottom, which needs slightly longer shoelaces.

Features

Stays very tight

Terribly awkward

6% longer ends (approx.)

Double Back Lacing Gallery

PUMA Alexander McQueen Deck Los with Double Back Lacing

PUMA Frankenclydes with Double Back Lacing variation 1

PUMA Frankenclydes with Double Back Lacing variation 2

Blue Converse All-Stars with white trim and white Double Back Lacing (from Bandit1980)

Black Vans XL1s with white trim and white Double Back Lacing (from Martin N)

Patterned blue & white Vans MacGyvers with white Double Back Lacing (from Morten S)

White Onitsuka Tiger sneakers with black & red trim and black Double Back Lacing (from Brady C)

White DC sneakers with red trim and red Double Back Lacing (from Austin W)

Black Nike sneakers with white trim and white Double Back Lacing (from chimericallife)

Black, grey & white Nike sneakers with patterned cyan trim and magenta Double Back Lacing (from Kieran F)

Blue Converse Star Players with yellow & white trim and blue Double Back Lacing (from Christian D)

Black & grey PUMA Alexander McQueens with pink & white trim and grey Double Back Lacing (from Ty T)

Brown LL Bean K.I.W. work boots with yellow & brown Double Back Lacing (from Rick S)

Hover over any photo to view details

For enlargements, please enable JavaScript

More photos of Double Back Lacing

Contribute a photo (via e-mail)

Double Back Lacing Video

Watch video: How to Double Back Lace your shoes

Watch video here

Watch on YouTube

Shoelace Lengths for Double Back Lacing

Pairs of eyelets:	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Length needed:	(N/A)	63 cm 25 inch	75 cm 30 inch	87 cm 34 inch	99 cm 39 inch	111 cm 44 inch	123 cm 48 inch
Lengths available:		27"	27"	36"	40"	45"	45"

NOTE: These are approximate shoelace lengths for using this lacing on an average sized sneaker. For more accurate lengths, use the Shoelace Length Calculator.

Comparative Length

Shorter shoelaces needed than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing.

Longer ends if existing shoelaces are re-used (+6% on average).

More details.

Double Back Lacing Feedback

Before going to your website my shoelaces were outrageously big (52cm) and i was always tripping over them. I tried tying the Double Back Lacing and now my shoelaces are 45cm when they are untied, and only 15 cm with an Ian knot.

– Brendan K., Melbourne, Australia, Nov-2004

Rate This Lacing Method

Please only vote once – multiple votes are removed daily

5 stars (excellent)		• Select rating, then click button to submit. • Or, view results without rating this method.
4 stars (good)
3 stars (average)
2 stars (bad)
1 star (awful)

Double Back Lacing

Lacing Technique – Variation 1 – Hidden verticals at bottom