You just pulled a fresh pair of Chuck Taylors out of the box. They smell like canvas and vulcanized rubber. But then you look down and realize the factory lacing looks... stiff. Boring. Maybe even a little too tight for your actual foot shape. Honestly, knowing how to do converse laces is basically a rite of passage for anyone who doesn't want to look like they’re wearing rental bowling shoes.
Standard factory lacing is functional, but it's rarely optimal. If you’ve ever felt that weird "pinch" on the top of your bridge, or if your heel keeps slipping out of your high-tops, the lacing pattern is almost certainly the culprit. It isn't just about aesthetics; it's about making a flat-soled basketball shoe from 1917 actually work for a human foot in 2026.
Why the Standard Criss-Cross Might Be Ruining Your Chucks
Most people stick with the basic over-under criss-cross because it’s what comes in the box. It’s fine. It works. But if you have high arches, that pattern puts a ton of pressure right on the most sensitive part of your foot.
Ever notice those two little silver eyelets on the side of your Converse? The ones near the sole? A lot of people think they’re just for "breathability." They aren't. Well, they help with air, sure, but they were originally designed for "bar lacing" to provide extra lockdown for actual basketball players back when the All-Star was a performance shoe. If you have narrow feet, looping your laces through those side eyelets before finishing the top can completely change the stability of the shoe.
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Then there’s the length issue. Converse laces are notoriously long. Like, "trip over yourself and faceplant" long. You've basically got two choices: wrap them around the ankle (the classic skater/punk look) or learn a lacing style that uses up more of the slack.
The Straight Bar Method: Clean and Comfortable
If you want that crisp, minimalist look, straight bar lacing is the way to go. It’s what you see in high-end fashion editorials. It’s also arguably the most comfortable way to wear Chucks because the pressure is distributed horizontally across the tongue rather than in a series of X-shaped pinch points.
To do this, start by threading the lace through the bottom two eyelets from the outside in. This gives you a straight horizontal bar at the base. From there, you take the left lace and bring it straight up the inside to the next eyelet, then push it through to the outside. Then, you pull it across to the opposite eyelet.
Here is where people mess up: you don't just repeat that with the right lace on the next hole. You have to skip an eyelet on the inside to keep the bars parallel. It sounds sort of complicated when you read it, but once you do it, you'll see the pattern. It creates a ladder effect. The big benefit here is that it allows the canvas to flex more naturally when you walk.
Does it work for High-Tops?
Absolutely. In fact, bar lacing on high-tops is a game changer if you like to wear your jeans tucked in or if you prefer a looser, "floppy" tongue look. It keeps the shoe secure on the bottom half while letting the ankle area breathe.
How to Do Converse Laces for Wide Feet
Let’s be real—Chucks are narrow. They were designed for a different era of foot anatomy. If you have wide feet, the standard lacing can make your feet feel like they’re being squeezed in a vise by midday.
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Try "window lacing." It’s a trick used by long-distance runners, but it works wonders for lifestyle sneakers too. You lace the shoe normally until you get to the part of your foot that feels the most cramped. Instead of crossing the laces over at that point, you run them straight up to the next eyelet on the same side. This creates a "window" or a gap in the lacing that removes the downward pressure on the widest part of your foot.
After that gap, you go back to the regular criss-cross. It looks a little unconventional, but your metatarsals will thank you. Honestly, comfort beats "perfect" symmetry every single time.
The "Double Back" for Extra Long Laces
We’ve all been there. You finish lacing, and you have about 14 inches of lace left on each side. You can tie a giant, floppy bow that looks like a cartoon, or you can use the double-back technique.
Instead of stopping at the top eyelet, you actually thread the lace back down through the second-to-top eyelet. This creates a reinforced loop. It uses up the excess length and provides a much tighter "lockdown" feel. This is especially useful for the 70s Chuck Taylor models, which have thicker canvas and can feel a bit heavier on the foot.
The Ankle Wrap Tradition
You can’t talk about Converse without mentioning the wrap-around. This is specifically for high-tops. You leave the top two eyelets empty, pull the laces around the back of the shoe, through the heel loop (if your specific model has one), and then tie them in the front.
It’s a specific vibe. It says you’ve owned these shoes for a while. It also keeps the laces from dragging in the dirt. Just don't tie them too tight, or you'll restrict your Achilles' tendon, which is a one-way ticket to a "sore foot" evening.
Dealing with the Tongue Slide
One of the most annoying things about Converse is when the tongue slides to the side after ten minutes of walking. It looks messy and feels weird.
To fix this, look for the lace loop on the tongue. Not every pair has them—especially the vintage reissues—but if yours does, use it. But don't just go through it. Go through it and then "backtrack" through the same side eyelet before crossing over. This anchors the tongue to the lacing structure.
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If your pair doesn't have a loop, you can create a "lace lock" by crossing the laces behind the tongue at the third eyelet from the top. It creates just enough friction to keep everything centered without being visible from the outside.
Why Quality Matters (The Cotton vs. Polyester Debate)
If you're still using the cheap, shiny polyester laces that come with some budget versions of the All-Star, consider swapping them for flat 100% cotton laces.
Cotton has more "bite." It stays tied. Polyester is slippery and tends to come undone unless you double-knot it, which adds bulk. If you're going for the vintage 1970s look, those shoes actually come with slightly narrower, higher-quality cotton laces that hold a bar-lace pattern much better than the standard flat ones.
Summary of Actionable Steps
- Check your foot width: If you feel pressure, switch to window lacing immediately to avoid foot fatigue.
- Aesthetics vs. Function: Use straight bar lacing for a clean, professional look, but stick to criss-cross if you're doing a lot of walking or need maximum support.
- The "Hidden" Eyelets: Use the side holes if you have narrow feet to pull the canvas closer to your arch.
- Length Management: Don't cut your laces. Use the double-back method or the ankle wrap to manage the extra slack.
- Texture Check: Swap to cotton laces if your shoes keep coming untied during the day.
At the end of the day, how you lace your shoes is the only way to truly "spec" a mass-produced sneaker to your specific body. It takes maybe five minutes to re-lace a pair, but it changes how you carry yourself for the next six months. Start from the bottom, keep the tension even, and don't be afraid to skip an eyelet if it makes the shoe feel better. Your feet aren't symmetrical, so your lacing doesn't necessarily have to be either.