10 Unique Lacing Techniques for Nike Air Force 1 Shoelaces

The 10 best ways to lace Nike Air Force 1s are criss-cross, straight bar, ladder, loop back, diamond, lattice, zipper, checkerboard, star, and loose no-tie lacing. Criss-cross is the stock look, straight bar is the cleanest, and loose no-tie lacing is the most popular way to wear Air Force 1s casually. Start with 54-inch laces for the Air Force 1 Low and 63-inch laces for the High, and size up one length for patterns that use more lace, like ladder and lattice.

Shop Air Force 1 laces, or see how to install Air Force 1 replacement laces.

How to lace Air Force 1s: 10 styles compared

1. Criss-cross lacing

The stock Air Force 1 look.

1. Run the lace through the bottom eyelets from the inside out and even the ends.
2. Cross the ends over the tongue and thread each one into the next pair from the outside in.
3. Repeat to the top and tie, or tuck the ends.

2. Straight bar lacing

The cleanest look, with flat bars and no visible X.

1. Run the lace straight across the bottom eyelets from the outside in.
2. Take one end up inside one eyelet and straight across the outside to the opposite eyelet.
3. Take the other end up inside two eyelets and straight across.
4. Keep alternating so every visible section is a horizontal bar, then tie.

3. Loose no-tie lacing

The most popular casual Air Force 1 look.

1. Criss-cross or bar lace with a little slack at each crossing.
2. Stop one eyelet short of the top if you want it extra relaxed.
3. Tie a small knot and tuck the ends inside the shoe, or use a lace lock.

See how to tie hidden knots with Air Force 1 shoelaces for step-by-step tuck methods.

4. Loop back lacing

Adds a layered detail at the top and locks the heel.

1. Criss-cross to the second-to-last pair.
2. Thread each end up through the top eyelet on the same side to make a small loop.
3. Cross the ends and pull each one through the opposite loop, then tie.

5. Diamond lacing

Opens diamond-shaped gaps down the tongue.

1. Criss-cross the bottom pair.
2. Run each end straight up one eyelet on the same side.
3. Criss-cross the next pair, then run straight up again.
4. Repeat to the top so the crossings and straight runs alternate into diamonds.

6. Zipper lacing

A locked, zipper-like spine down the middle.

1. Criss-cross the bottom pair.
2. At each crossing, loop each end under the other lace before threading the next eyelet.
3. Pull each hitch tight as you go so the center reads like a zipper, then tie.

7. Ladder lacing

Tight interlocked rungs that don't loosen.

1. Run the lace straight across the bottom eyelets from the outside in.
2. Bring each end straight up and out through the next eyelet on the same side.
3. Cross each end over and tuck it under the vertical section on the opposite side.
4. Feed it in through the next eyelet up and repeat to the top.

Ladder lacing uses the most lace, so go one length up if needed.

8. Lattice lacing

A woven grid across the tongue.

1. Cross each lace diagonally over two or three eyelets instead of one.
2. Weave each new pass over and under the diagonals already in place.
3. Keep the spacing even and tie at the top.

9. Checkerboard lacing

Uses two laces in different colors for a woven checker pattern.

1. Bar lace the first color straight across every eyelet pair.
2. Weave the second color up and down through the bars, over one and under the next.
3. Tuck the ends of both laces inside the shoe.

Try black and white, or a bold color like royal blue with white.

10. Star lacing

A statement pattern that crosses eyelets out of order.

1. Start at the bottom and run each lace diagonally across to an eyelet two or three pairs up.
2. Cross back down and across to make the points of the star.
3. Keep the pattern symmetrical on both shoes and tie or tuck at the top.

Best laces for Air Force 1 lacing styles

Customizing your Air Force 1 laces

• Mix colors with two-lace patterns like checkerboard.
• Add metal aglets for a premium tip, or the $2 hand-installed metal aglet upgrade on laces that offer it.
• Use lace locks to hold a loose no-tie look in place.
• Match a color from the swoosh or sole, or see choosing the perfect shoelaces for Air Force 1s.

Keep laces looking fresh by washing them in warm water with a little Angelus Easy Cleaner and air drying them.

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