Ways to Lace Converse
Converse sneakers have a long, rich history of trendsetting since 1908, when Marquis Mills Converse started his own rubber shoe company to get around regulations prohibiting shoemakers from dealing directly with retailers. Converse is one of the oldest shoe brands in the United States, and continues to be one of the most popular brands today. Available in multiple styles and colors, Converse can even be custom made through the company's website. If you want to go the extra mile and really make your shoes stand out, try tying the laces in a new, eye-catching way. Does this Spark an idea?
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Before You Begin
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When lacing your shoe using the following methods, place the shoe so that the toe is facing you. Notice that there are eyelets on the left and on the right. Mentally number the left eyelets L1, L2, L3 and so on, and number the right eyelets R1, R2, R3 and so on.
Straight (Bar) Lacing
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Straight lacing has become one of the most popular ways to lace Converse sneakers. This style of lacing works best on shoes with an even number of eyelet pairs, but if you'd like to try this style on a shoes with an odd number of eyelet pairs, simply don't lace the top pair, ending on an even number. To straight lace your Converse, start with the lace running straight across the bottom of the first eyelet pairs, L1 and R1. On the right side, lace R1 to R2, R2 over the top of the shoe to L2, L2 to L4, L4 over the top of the shoe to R4, and end by lacing R4 to R6. On the left side, lace L1 to L3, L3 over the top of the shoe to R3, R3 to R5, R5 over the top of the shoe to L5, and end by lacing L5 to L6.
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Sawtooth Lacing
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This lacing style looks like straight lacing on top, but underneath, the laces run diagonally instead of straight across. Take care to lace your shoes so that the diagonals are mirror images. Start with the lace running straight across the bottom of the first eyelet pairs, L1 and R1. On the right side, lace R1 to R2, R2 over the top of the shoe to L2, L2 diagonally to R4, R4 over the top of the shoe to L4, and end by lacing L4 diagonally to R6. On the left side, lace L1 diagonally to R3, R3 over the top of the shoe to L3, L3 diagonally to R5, R5 over the top of the shoe to L5, and end by lacing L5 up to L6.
Loop Back Lacing
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Loop back lacing is a play on the traditional crisscross lacing style, only the laces loop through one another instead of crossing in the middle. Start with the lace running straight across the bottom of the first eyelet pairs, L1 and R1. Lace L1 up to L2 and R1 up to R2, looping the left and right laces through one another in the middle. Repeat for the remaining eyelet pairs.
Knotted Lacing
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Knotted lacing results in tight laces that are ideal for skates. This style is also similar to the traditional crisscross lacing style, only with an additional knot thrown in. Start with the lace running straight across the bottom of the first eyelet pairs, L1 and R1. Lace L1 to R2 and R1 to L2, tying the center crisscross as though you were going to tie your shoes. Now lace L2 to R3 and R2 to L3, knotting the center, and repeat for the remaining eyelet pairs.
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References
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