Structured Lacing
Ladder Lacing: Step-by-Step Shoelace Tutorial
Ladder Lacing creates a bold, structured pattern that looks almost woven across the shoe. The laces run vertically between the eyelets before crossing through each other to form the distinctive “rungs” of the ladder. It takes a little more time than a classic lacing style, but the finished result is wonderfully striking.
Difficulty
★
★
★
Medium
Time
5–10 mins
Best for
Trainers, boots & shoes with multiple eyelets
Lace length
120–140cm per lace
Take your time with this one - keeping each section neat and evenly tensioned is the secret to that brilliant ladder effect.
Watch the video tutorial
Overview
Watch Lindsay demonstrate Ladder Lacing from start to finish. This eye-catching technique creates a strong, structured pattern across the shoe, with vertical sections and interlocking horizontal “rungs”. It needs a little more patience than everyday lacing, but once you find the rhythm, the pattern is surprisingly satisfying to create.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Time required: 5–10 mins
- Best for: Trainers, boots & shoes with multiple eyelets
- Lace length: 120–140cm per lace
The Story Behind This Style
Ladder Lacing is one of those styles that makes people stop and wonder how you did it.
Its distinctive construction creates a series of strong horizontal sections joined by vertical laces, giving the finished pattern the appearance of a miniature ladder running up the shoe.
It’s more structured than traditional Criss Cross Lacing and has an almost woven quality when finished neatly. That makes it particularly effective on shoes and boots with plenty of eyelets, where there’s enough room for the pattern to really develop.
Ladder Lacing also proves something we love about shoelaces: the route a lace takes through exactly the same set of eyelets can completely change the character of a shoe.
It requires a little patience - but this is definitely one of those lacing styles where the finished result is worth the extra few minutes.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow each step to create this lace pattern.
1
Step One
Thread the lace straight across the bottom eyelets, feeding both ends from the 'inside' to the 'outside'. Pull the ends until they are the same length.
2
Step Two
Move up vertically. Take each lace end straight up the 'outside' of the shoe and feed it through the next eyelet, from the 'outside' to the 'inside'.
3
Step Three
Create your first rung. Bring both lace ends straight across the shoe to form the first horizontal section of your ladder, keeping the laces flat and even.
4
Step Four
Move up again. Take each lace up vertically to the next eyelet. Feed the lace through and position it ready to create the next horizontal rung. You laces will be doubling up, so you are making a rectangle.
5
Step Five
Bring the laces across the shoe again, keeping the new horizontal section parallel with the one below. Gently adjust the tension so everything sits neatly.
6
Step Six
Continue the pattern. Repeat the same process as you work upwards - up vertically, then across horizontally - building the ladder one rung at a time.
7
Step Seven
Reach the top. Continue until you reach the final pair of eyelets. Straighten the horizontal rungs and adjust the laces so the spacing and tension look even.
8
Step Eight
Tie and finish. Tie the remaining lace ends into a bow. Give the ladder one final adjustment and your Ladder Lacing is complete!
The History of This Style
Ladder Lacing is a highly structured lacing technique known for its distinctive horizontal “rungs” and vertical sections running up each side of the shoe.
The style is often associated with boots and footwear where a firm, secure-looking lacing pattern is wanted. Over time, its striking geometric appearance has also made it popular as a decorative lacing technique for trainers and casual shoes.
What makes Ladder Lacing so distinctive is the way the laces appear to lock together as they travel up the shoe. The finished pattern looks far more complicated than an ordinary Criss Cross - which is part of its appeal.
It may take a little longer to create, but once those ladder rungs begin to appear, it is wonderfully satisfying.
Did You Know?
Ladder Lacing uses more length than many traditional shoe lacing styles.
Because the lace travels vertically as well as horizontally across the shoe, more of its length is used to create the pattern. If your usual shoelaces only just reach the top of your shoes, you may need a longer pair when trying Ladder Lacing.
Shop Laces That Work Beautifully
Choose a lace colour and style that helps this pattern look its best.
Laceologist's Style Tip
Ladder Lacing loves contrast. Try a bright lace against a white or black shoe to really show off those distinctive horizontal rungs. For a more subtle look, choose a lace close to the colour of your shoe and let the texture of the pattern do the talking.
Shoes with plenty of eyelets give this style even more room to make an impact.
Lindsay, Chief Laceologist
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions about this lacing style.
What is Ladder Lacing?
Ladder Lacing is a distinctive shoelace pattern that creates horizontal “rungs” across the shoe with vertical sections running between the eyelets. The finished design resembles a ladder and creates a bold, structured look.
Is Ladder Lacing difficult?
Ladder Lacing is a little more involved than traditional Criss Cross Lacing, but it becomes much easier once you understand the repeating pattern. Take your time with the first few sections and keep the laces loose enough to adjust as you work.
Do I need longer shoelaces for Ladder Lacing?
You may do. Ladder Lacing uses more lace than many simple lacing patterns because the lace travels both vertically and horizontally. The length you need will depend on the number of eyelets, the width of your shoe and how much lace you want left for tying.
What shoes are best for Ladder Lacing?
Ladder Lacing works particularly well on trainers and boots with several pairs of eyelets. Shoes with a clear space between the two rows of eyelets also help the horizontal ladder pattern stand out.
Happy Lacing!
And there you have it - Ladder Lacing!
It takes a little more patience than some of our simpler lacing styles, but that's all part of the fun. Once those neat horizontal rungs start building up the shoe, you'll see why this pattern is such a satisfying one to master.
Try it with different colours and different shoes and see how much the finished look changes.
And remember - if your first attempt isn't perfectly even, simply loosen the laces, make a few little adjustments and try again.
Small change. Big impact. Happy lacing!
I'm Lindsay, Chief Laceologist at Love Your Laces.
Until next time... Happy Lacing!