Right, let’s talk about how to lace skateboard shoes. I’ve seen too many people with their laces practically tripping them or snapping mid-trick because they just shoved ’em through the eyelets like they were tying their Nikes in 1998. It’s not rocket science, but it’s also not just a formality.
Honestly, the standard criss-cross that everyone learns when they’re seven? It’s usually garbage for skating. You need something that keeps your foot locked in, doesn’t add bulk, and, for the love of all that’s holy, doesn’t break before you even land a kickflip.
I remember spending around $150 on a pair of skate shoes once, only to have the laces fray after about three sessions because I’d laced them like a civilian. Huge waste of cash. You can have the best shoes in the world, but if your lacing game is weak, you’re basically skating on borrowed time. This isn’t about looking cool; it’s about function.
Why Your Standard Lacing Is Probably Wrong
Look, I get it. Criss-cross is easy. It’s what your parents probably showed you. But for skateboarding, it often creates too much slack. That slack means your foot can slide around inside the shoe, which is the last thing you want when you’re trying to feel your board. It also means laces can get caught on things or just wear out faster because they’re rubbing against themselves in weird ways.
I’ve seen countless skaters with laces that are too long, too loose, or just laced in a way that offers zero ankle support. It’s like trying to drive a race car with bicycle tires. You’re setting yourself up for failure, and frankly, it’s a bit embarrassing if you’ve been skating for more than a year and still haven’t figured this out.
Seriously, the amount of friction and movement inside a skate shoe when you’re just doing ollies is way more than you think. Trying to control a board with a loose foot feels like trying to steer a boat with a noodle.
[IMAGE: Close-up of a skateboard shoe with standard criss-cross lacing, highlighting the potential slack points.]
The “locked-In” Lacing Method
This is where things get interesting. Forget the basic X-pattern. We’re talking about methods that keep your foot snug without cutting off circulation. My go-to for years has been something I call the ‘Ladder Lacing’ or ‘Straight Bar’ method. It looks clean, it’s strong, and it gives you serious control.
Here’s how you do it: Start by feeding the lace straight across the bottom two eyelets from the outside, so the lace comes up *inside* the shoe. Then, you take the left lace and go straight up to the next set of eyelets, feeding it through from the outside to the inside. You do the same with the right lace. Keep going, feeding each lace straight across to its opposite side on the next set of eyelets, and then up through the next corresponding eyelet. It creates horizontal bars across the top of your shoe and a really solid feel. (See Also: How To Remove Permanent Marker On Shoes)
This method provides a much more even tension across your foot. You’re not just tightening one spot. It feels more like a second skin, which is exactly what you need for landing tricks cleanly. When I switched to this after years of messing up with the standard method, I felt an immediate difference in board feel and stability. It was like upgrading from dial-up to fiber optic for my feet.
[IMAGE: Mid-shot of a skater’s foot wearing a skateboard shoe laced with the straight bar (ladder) method, showing the clean horizontal lines.]
What About Laces That Break?
Okay, nobody likes a snapped lace. It’s usually at the worst possible moment. A lot of this comes down to the quality of the lace itself, sure, but also how you’re treating them. If your laces are constantly rubbing against the edge of the shoe or getting caught on grip tape, they’re going to go. The straight bar lacing helps reduce some of that external rubbing because the laces lie flatter and are less likely to snag.
I’ve found that thicker, waxed skate-specific laces are a good investment. They’re tougher. However, some people swear by cutting the laces into two shorter sections. You lace the bottom half of the shoe with one piece and the top half with another. This way, if one breaks, you don’t lose the whole shoe’s security. This sounds a bit fiddly, but I tried it on a whim after one particularly frustrating afternoon where I snapped three laces in an hour, and honestly? It works. It’s like cutting a long rope into two shorter, more manageable ones, so a break in one doesn’t affect the other.
[IMAGE: Close-up of two different types of skate shoe laces – one standard, one thicker and waxed, with a pair of scissors nearby.]
Dealing with Extra Lace Length
Everyone has that bit of lace left over, right? If it’s too long, it’s a tripping hazard, gets caught on things, and generally looks messy. The straight bar method usually helps manage this better because you have more consistent lengths to work with. But if you still have a ton of lace hanging out, here are a few tricks.
The Tuck Method: Once your shoes are laced and tied, simply tuck the excess lace into your shoe, under the tongue or down the sides. It’s quick and keeps it out of the way. This is what I do most of the time.
The Knot Method: If you have a *lot* of excess, you can tie a small, tight knot in the leftover lace near the top eyelet before tucking it. This reduces the length significantly. (See Also: How To Lace Boots Properly)
The Double Loop: For extreme cases, you can sometimes loop the excess lace around the top eyelet one more time before tying your final knot. This takes practice and can add bulk, so use with caution.
The National Skateboard Society, an informal but widely respected group of skate parks and shops across the country, suggests that managing lace length is as important for safety as proper foot positioning. I tend to agree; a loose lace is a dangerous lace.
[IMAGE: A skater’s hand tucking excess shoelace into the side of a skate shoe.]
Lacing for Specific Tricks or Needs
Sometimes, you need to tweak your lacing for specific demands. For instance, if you’re doing a lot of flip tricks where the laces might get in the way of the board flicking off your foot, you might want to lace them really tightly and low down, keeping the top loose or even skipping the very top eyelets if your shoe allows. This can give you a cleaner flick.
Conversely, if you’re a beginner or just need more ankle support, don’t be afraid to use *all* the eyelets and lace them up high. Some skaters even use a special “lock lacing” technique where you create a loop with the lace on one side and pass the other lace through it, effectively locking that section down before continuing. It’s a bit like making a tiny, tight knot for each pair of eyelets. It feels super secure, almost like a boot.
I tried lacing one shoe super tight for flip tricks and kept the other looser, just to see. My flick improved on the tight shoe, but my board control felt a bit less connected. It’s a trade-off, and you have to experiment to see what works best for your style and the specific shoes you’re wearing. Honestly, I spent probably $50 on different types of laces over the years before I realized the lacing pattern itself made the biggest difference.
[IMAGE: Split image showing two skateboard shoes laced differently – one with tight lower lacing for flick, the other with high, secure lacing for ankle support.]
Faq: Common Lacing Questions
Why Do My Skateboard Shoe Laces Keep Coming Undone?
This is usually because the knot isn’t tight enough, or the laces themselves are slippery. Using thicker, waxed laces can help. Also, ensure you’re using a secure knot – the standard ‘bunny ears’ method is often less secure than a proper reef knot. Try tying the knot twice if you have to. (See Also: How To Lace Bates Boots)
Can I Use Regular Shoe Laces for Skateboarding?
You *can*, but it’s not ideal. Regular laces are often thinner and less durable, meaning they’ll snap more easily. They also tend to be made of materials that don’t grip as well, leading to them coming undone more often. Invest in proper skate laces; they’re designed for the abuse.
How Tight Should My Skateboard Shoes Be Laced?
This is personal preference and depends on the trick. Generally, you want them snug enough that your foot doesn’t slide around inside the shoe, but not so tight that they cut off circulation or restrict movement. For most skaters, a good rule of thumb is to lace them tight enough that you can’t easily wiggle your toes, but you don’t feel painful pressure points.
What’s the Best Way to Lace Vans for Skateboarding?
Vans are classic skate shoes. For Vans, the straight bar lacing method works exceptionally well because it keeps the canvas and suede upper secure and distributes pressure evenly. Make sure to feed the lace through the bottom eyelets from the outside-in, then work your way up, keeping the laces straight across each pair of eyelets.
[IMAGE: A grid of four close-up shots, each showing a different answer to an FAQ question about lacing skateboard shoes.]
Choosing the Right Laces
It’s not just about the pattern; the lace itself matters. You’ve got your standard cotton laces, which are pretty weak and fray easily. Then there are synthetic laces, often made of polyester or nylon, which are much stronger and more durable. Waxed laces are a category of their own; they’re coated in wax, making them super strong, less likely to stretch, and resistant to water. They also tend to stay tied better.
Some brands even offer specialized laces with Kevlar or other high-strength fibers woven in. While these can be overkill for casual skating, if you’re a serious street skater or doing a lot of technical tricks, they might be worth the investment. I personally find the waxed polyester laces offer the best balance of durability, price, and reliability. They feel a bit stiffer initially, but that stiffness translates to better shoe structure.
| Lace Type | Pros | Cons | Verdict (My Opinion) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Cotton | Cheap, widely available | Fray easily, break often, slip out of knots | Avoid for serious skating. Fine for walking. |
| Synthetic (Polyester/Nylon) | Durable, strong, good grip | Can still fray over time, might stretch slightly | Good all-around choice for most skaters. |
| Waxed Synthetic | Very durable, resistant to water/fraying, stays tied well | Can feel stiff initially, might be slightly more expensive | My top pick for performance and longevity. |
| Kevlar/High-Strength | Extremely durable, virtually indestructible | Very expensive, can be overkill, might feel too rigid | For the most demanding skaters who break everything. |
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. How to lace skateboard shoes isn’t just about making them stay on your feet. It’s about board feel, control, and not having your gear fail you when you need it most.
Experiment with the straight bar method; it’s made a huge difference for me, and I think it will for you too. Pay attention to how the lace feels against your foot and how it affects your flick or your balance.
Don’t just assume the way you learned as a kid is the best way. Real skateboarding demands a bit more thought, even in something as simple as your shoelaces. Give the straight bar lacing a shot next time you get new shoes, and see if you notice the difference in how securely your foot feels locked in.
Recommended Products
No products found.
