Straight Bar Lacing

A Step-by-Step Shoe Lacing Tutorial

About the Straight Bar Method

The symmetry and simplicity of the Straight Bar method make it a popular lacing style. This method works best with shoes that have an even number of eyelet pairs. Note that this lacing method can be difficult to tighten. Note: If you have an odd number of eyelet pairs, begin lacing your shoelace with one lace slightly longer than the other (about 1”). When you have one remaining set of eyelets, take the longer shoelace and lace it back under the facing of the shoe. Then bring it behind the facing and through the top eyelet.

DIFFICULTY 3/5

Straight Bar Instructions

1. 1. With the toe facing you, slip your shoelace through the bottom eyelet pair. The shoelace should go over the facing to create a straight bar.
2. 2. Take the left shoelace and lace it through the left eyelet. It should lace behind the facing and remain unseen.
3. 3. Then take the same shoelace and lace it through the right eyelet, forming a line that is parallel to the original straight bar.
4. 4. Take the right shoelace (the longer of the two) and lace it through the available right eyelet. It should lace behind the facing and remain unseen.
5. 5. Then take the same shoelace and lace it through the left eyelet, forming a line that is parallel to the other two straight bars.
6. 6. Repeat steps two through five until you have one remaining set of eyelets.
7. 7. Thread the shoelaces through the top set of eyelets below the facing.

NOTE: If you have an odd number of eyelet pairs, begin lacing your shoelace with one lace slightly longer than the other (about 1”). When you have one remaining set of eyelets, take the longer shoelace and lace it back under the facing of the shoe. Then bring it behind the facing and through the top eyelet.

Open Lacing vs. Closed Lacing