Classic lacing
Criss Cross Lacing: Step-by-Step Shoelace Tutorial
Criss Cross Lacing is the classic shoelace pattern most of us know and love. Simple, secure and comfortable, the laces cross diagonally from side to side all the way up the shoe. It works beautifully on almost every type of trainer or casual shoe - and once you know the rhythm, it takes just minutes to lace.
Difficulty
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Easy
Time
Under 2 mins
Best for
Trainers, casual shoes, boots
Lace length
120โ140cm per lace
The everyday classic - simple, secure and suitable for almost any shoe.
Watch the video tutorial
Overview
Watch Lindsay demonstrate how to create classic Criss Cross Lacing from start to finish. Itโs quick, easy to learn and one of the most versatile ways to lace almost any pair of shoes.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time required: Under 2 mins
- Best for: Trainers, casual shoes, boots
- Lace length: 120โ140cm per lace
The Story Behind This Style
Criss Cross Lacing is the style most of us picture when we think of shoelaces.
The simple alternating crosses create a secure, balanced pattern that works on almost every kind of lace-up shoe.
Its beauty is in its simplicity. There are no complicated turns or hidden sections - each lace travels diagonally across the shoe before passing through the next eyelet on the opposite side. The result is the familiar row of X shapes that has become almost synonymous with a freshly laced pair of trainers.
And although it may be the most traditional style in the Lace Library, it certainly doesnโt have to look ordinary. Change the colour, pattern or texture of the laces and those simple crosses suddenly become part of the design -which is exactly why Criss Cross is such a brilliant place to start experimenting with your shoes.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow each step to create this lace pattern.
1
Step One
Straight across the bottom eyelets and put the lace from 'outside' to 'inside'.
2
Step Two
Before you start, make sure your laces are the same length.
3
Step Three
Take the right lace and run it across the tongue of the shoe and pop it through the eyelet from 'inside' to 'outside'. Do the same with the left lace to the opposite eyelet
4
Step Four
You have now created your first Criss Cross.
5
Step Five
Carry on all the way up, crossing over the laces each time. Make sure your laces lie flat for a neat and tidy look.
6
Step Six
Here is the very smart finished design of Criss Cross Lacing before we tie our bow.
7
Step Seven
Here is the finished Criss Cross Lacing design.
The History of This Style
Criss Cross Lacing is one of the simplest and most widely used methods of lacing footwear. Its exact inventor is unknown - and it is likely that the pattern developed naturally as people looked for an easy way to pull the two sides of a shoe securely together.
As eyeleted shoes and boots became increasingly common, the criss cross method proved wonderfully practical. Passing each lace diagonally to the opposite side distributes tension across the shoe, while the repeating X pattern makes it quick to tighten, loosen and adjust.
Over time, Criss Cross Lacing became the everyday standard for everything from boots and sports shoes to school shoes and trainers. Today, it is so familiar that we barely notice the pattern - yet those simple crossed lines are one of the most instantly recognisable features of a lace-up shoe.
And perhaps that is why it has endured: Criss Cross Lacing doesn't try to be clever. It simply works. Generations of changing footwear fashions later, the humble X is still going strong.
Did You Know?
The Power of X: The familiar X-shape of Criss Cross Lacing isnโt just decorative. Crossing the laces from side to side helps spread the tension across the shoe, which is one reason this simple pattern has remained such an enduring everyday favourite.
Shop Laces That Work Beautifully
Choose a lace colour and style that helps this pattern look its best.
Laceologist's Style Tip
For beautifully even Criss Cross Lacing, decide which lace will cross over the top first and keep that same order all the way up the shoe. Itโs a tiny detail, but it gives every X a neat, consistent finish.
Lindsay, Chief Laceologist
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions about this lacing style.
Is Criss Cross Lacing suitable for beginners?
Yes. Criss Cross is one of the easiest shoelace patterns to learn. Once the lace ends are even, simply alternate them diagonally from one side of the shoe to the other until you reach the top.
What shoes are best for Criss Cross Lacing?
Criss Cross Lacing works with almost any lace-up footwear, including trainers, casual shoes, school shoes and boots. Itโs particularly useful when you want a secure, comfortable everyday lacing style.
How do I make my Criss Cross Lacing look neat?
Keep your laces flat and untwisted, and make each X cross in the same order. For example, if the left lace passes over the right lace on the first cross, repeat that pattern all the way up the shoe for a beautifully consistent finish.
Can I use patterned or colourful shoelaces with Criss Cross Lacing?
Absolutely. In fact, Criss Cross is brilliant for showing off colourful and patterned laces because so much of the lace remains visible across the front of the shoe. A simple lacing method can look completely different just by changing the laces - the black daisy laces shown in our Criss Cross tutorial are a perfect example. ๐ผ๐ค
Happy Lacing!
And there you have it - Criss Cross Lacing.
Simple, practical and a true shoelace classic.
Now itโs your turn. Try it with your favourite pair of shoes, experiment with a different colour or pattern, and see how even the simplest lacing style can give your trainers a completely different personality.
And if you fancy trying something new, there are plenty more techniques waiting for you in the Love Your Laces Lace Library.
At Love Your Laces, we believe that changing your shoelaces is one of the simplest ways to refresh your favourite shoes, we hope you enjoy the process as much as the finished result.
I'm Lindsay, Chief Laceologist at Love Your Laces.
Until next time... Happy Lacing!