There has been a long-standing debate within the sneaker community on what is the right way to lace a pair of basketball sneakers. Some people prefer the old-school style of lacing shoes, which is the one we’re taught right from kindergarten. Others would rather much lace up their sneakers sasquatch style where you skip every other eyelet to give your feet more room, and some, mostly those playing basketball competitively, prefer the competitor style where you lace the top in a criss-cross manner to give you support and even protect you from injuries.
The truth is, if you are wondering how to lace basketball shoes, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Different sneakers require different lacing techniques. Other factors that dictate the lacing style include the size of feet and a person’s preferences. Everyone is unique, and we all have different things that make us comfortable.So, how do you lace basketball shoes in a cool way? The following are some of the different styles.
Straight Bar Lacing Style
This style works best for basketball sneakers that have an even number of eyelet pairs. That is important because the shoelace is supposed to cross the shoe an even number of times in order for the ends to meet in the middle and be tied together. This style is preferred because it gives a neat and tidy appearance as well as the fact that it makes it easy to tighten the laces.
Step 1: Insert the shoelace into the last eyelets (first ones from down) and make sure the aglets are facing down. Once you’ve done that, pull each end accordingly and make sure both sides of the shoelace are even.
Step 2: Take the left end and run it straight up on the inside, and then when it comes out on the next eyelet, take it across to come out on the right side.
Step 3: Take the right end and run it on the inside, skipping one eyelet, then run it across on the outside to come out on the left side. It should come out above where the right did. Do the same for the other end.
Step 4: Repeat Step number 3 until you reach the last two eyelets. If the shoe has an even pair of eyelets, they should both be coming out of the outside of the last two, ready for you to tie them up.
Ladder Lacing Style
This style might be a little bit harder to nail and may take longer, but it is worth it because it gives you extra support and stability. It can remain tight for a long time, meaning you can play for a long as you want without having to worry about tying up your laces every ten minutes. This style is also ideal for high tops and sneakers that have many eyelets.
Step 1: Insert the shoelace into the last eyelets (first ones from down) and make sure the aglets are facing down. Once you’ve done that, pull each end accordingly and make sure both sides of the shoelace are even.
Step 2: Run each end up the sides and through to the next set of eyelets that is above the last eyelets.
Step 3: Take each end and run it under the vertical lace sections but on the opposite sides. Continue running straight up and in through the next higher set of eyelets.
Step 4: Repeat step number four until you get to the two eyelets at the top, and voila! You have your sneakers laced up in ladder lacing style.
One-Handed Lacing Style
Not so popular among people wearing sneakers, the one-handed lacing style is usually a result of circumstances rather than choice. It is usually used for shoes with smaller-sized eyelets or laces that are a little thicker. It is quite easy to get done but tends to be loose, so not ideal for when you are set to play for an extended amount of time. Here’s how you nail the one-handed lacing style.
Step 1: Tie up a knot on one end of the lace. This knot should be thick enough to act as a stopper preventing the lace from slipping on one end.
Step 2: Take the unknotted end and run it from inside the other top eyelet. Pull it tight until the knot is side-by-side with the eyelet. You can pull further just to ensure the knot does a good job as a stopper.
Step 3: Take the unknotted end and run it diagonally downwards, then sideways in and out in a zig-zag manner. Do this until you get to the last eyelet at the bottom.
Step 4: When you run out of eyelets, tuck the loose end inside the shoe to make it look neat and tidy and also avoid stepping on it if it’s too long.
Classic Adidas Style
Just like the name suggests, this lacing style is synonymous with Adidas sneakers but can be used universally, especially if the sneakers are for basketball.
Step 1: Insert the shoelace into the last eyelets (first ones from down) and make sure the aglets are facing down. Once you’ve done that, pull each end accordingly and make sure both sides of the shoelace are even.
Step 2: From the inside, thread the left side through to the right side to come on the outside of the second to last eyelet on the right and do the vice versa for the right side of the lace. It should have a criss-cross pattern. Do this for the next two or three eyelets (depending on how many there are) until you get to the center.
Step 3: Once you’re at the center, you can skip one or two eyelets depending on how comfortable you are and then continue with the criss cross threading.
Step 4: when you are at the to, you can either tie the laces or tuck them behind the tongue. (again, it depends on comfort)
The above styles should perfectly answer the question “how to lace basketball shoes,” and you can pick either depending on which makes you feel most comfortable.
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