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Prevent creases & look fresh with these easy-to-follow lace designs
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Air Force 1s are classic shoes for a reason: they are effortlessly cool and look good on everyone. If you’ve been wondering how to change up your laces and jazz up your sneakers, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’ve got a pair of high, mid, or low Air Force 1s, we’ll show you how to lace your shoes like they came straight from the box and how to make more creative patterns like bars and stars. Read on if you’re ready to lace up your Air Force 1s!
Things You Should Know
- Use the factory, bar, or diamond lace on high, mid, or low AF1s for a fresh look.
- Loosely lace your AF1s to slip into your shoes without tying them and prevent creases.
- Choose the star lace to add style to low-top AF1s.
Steps
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Thread the lace through the metal tag and center it. Take one end of your shoelace and pull it down through the opening of the metal “AF1” deubré, or tag. Then, push the lace up through the opposite opening. Hold the ends of the shoelace in one hand and push the tag down to the midpoint between each end so each side of the lace is equal in length. [1] X Research source
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Push each end of the shoelace through the bottom eyelets. Press the left side of the shoelace down through the top of the bottom left eyelet. Then, press the right side of the lace through the top of the bottom right eyelet. Center the metal tag across the tongue and make sure the laces are straight, not twisted. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Pull the left lace down through the eyelet above and diagonal to it. Take the left lace and pull it to the second eyelet from the bottom on the right. Thread it down through the eyelet so the lace is moving from outside of the eyelet to under it. [3] X Research source
- Move slowly to keep the shoelace straight and prevent it from tangling or twisting.
- If your shoelace twists, just take a moment to flip it over so it stays taut and straight.
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Push the right lace down through the eyelet above and diagonal to it. Repeat the same steps as above, but now for the right lace. Thread the right lace down through the second eyelet from the bottom on the left, pushing it from the outside of the eyelet to under it. [4] X Research source
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Alternate crisscrossing the laces until you reach the top eyelets. Take turns threading the left and then the right shoelace. Just take either lace and push it down through the eyelet above and diagonal to it. Continue to work carefully and slowly so the laces stay straight. Then, when you get to the last eyelet at the top of the shoe, stop lacing. [5] X Research source
- Most Air Force 1s have a slit in the middle of the tongue. When you reach the eyelets that are parallel to this slit, thread the lace through it.
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Thread the left and right lace under the last eyelet at the top. Instead of pushing the shoelace down through the eyelet from above, push it up and under. Just take the left lace and thread it under the last eyelet diagonal to it. Then, do the same with the right lace. [6] X Research source
- For a clean look, thread your other shoe starting with the opposite side lace. If you started threading the first shoe with the left lace, start the second with the right lace.
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Tie or tuck the laces as normal, or make the factory knot. How you tie your shoes is completely up to you— tie them in a bow, tuck the bow under the tongue, or tuck the laces inside the shoe. To make the factory knot, hold the laces together and wrap them around your index finger. Take your finger out and pinch the loop together, then pull the laces up through the loop. [7] X Research source
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Loop your shoelace through the metal tag and center it. Pull one end of your shoelace down through the opening of the metal “AF1” tag. Then, pull the same end up through the opposite opening. Hold the ends of the shoelace together and center the tag at the midpoint between the lace so each side is equal in length. [8] X Research source
- Besides being comfy and stylish, loosely lacing your shoes can help prevent your Air Force 1s from creasing. [9] X Research source
- Spraying your shoes with a leather protector and inserting a crease protector inside the toe box are other great ways to keep Air Force 1s from creasing .
- Loose lacing follows a similar pattern to factory lacing, so it works for all low, mid, and high-top Air Force 1s.
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Push the end of each lace through the top of the bottom eyelet. Take the left side of the shoelace and push it down through the bottom eyelet from above. Then, do the same thing with the right side of the lace. Straighten the metal tag in the middle of the tongue but do not pull the laces taut. [10] X Research source
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Thread the right lace down through the eyelet above and diagonal to it. Hold the right side of the shoelace above the second eyelet from the bottom on the left. Then, push it down into the eyelet so it’s moving from outside of the eyelet to under it. [11] X Research source
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Hold your finger under the right shoelace as you pull the rest of it taut. To add slack to the shoelace, place your finger under the new diagonal line you made. Then, pull the rest of the lace through the eyelet. Your finger acts as a barrier that prevents the lace from tightening across the tongue as you pull. [12] X Research source
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Push the left lace down through the eyelet above and diagonally to it. Follow the same steps for lacing the left side of the shoelace. Just take the left lace to the second eyelet from the bottom on the right and push it through from above. [13] X Research source
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Place your finger under the left lace as you pull it through the eyelet. Now, hold your finger under the new diagonal line created by the left lace. Pull the rest of the lace through the eyelet, leaving a bit of slack so the lace is loose rather than tight. [14] X Research source
- Your shoelace might twist and turn as you thread it, so work slowly and carefully to keep it straight.
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Keep lacing up the shoe, using your finger to keep the laces loose. Alternate threading the right and then left shoelaces. Just keep pushing each lace through the eyelet above and diagonal to it. Hold your finger under the new lace as you pull it through to ensure it has a lot of slack. [15] X Research source
- If your Air Force 1s have a flap or slit on the tongue, do not thread the laces through it. The slit helps keep your laces tight, which you don’t want.
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Pull the right and left lace under the last eyelet at the top. When you get to the last eyelet, thread the shoelace from under it instead of from above it. So, take the right shoelace and pull it up and under the last eyelet diagonal to it. Then, do the same with the right lace. [16] X Research source
- For a looser fit on high-top Air Force 1s, thread the shoelaces under the second to last eyelet and keep the very top eyelet unlaced. [17] X Research source
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Leave the laces dangling and adjust the looseness as needed. When you finish lacing your shoes, about 2 to 3 inches (5-7.6 cm) of the shoelace is left hanging from each side. This makes your shoes great for comfortable, casual, slip-on wear. If you want your shoes a little looser, simply pull up on the diagonal lacing to give yourself more breathing room. [18] X Research source
- If you want to make your shoes tighter, just pull on the shoelace ends.
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Lace the shoelace through the metal “AF1” tag. Push one end of your shoelace down through the opening of the metal tag. Then, push the same end up and through the opposite opening of the tag. Scoot the tag down the shoelace so it rests in the middle and each side of the shoelace is equal. [19] X Research source
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Thread the ends of the lace down through the bottom eyelets. Take the left side of the shoelace and push it through the left eyelet from above. Then, do the same with the right side of the shoelace. Pull the shoelace straight and center the metal tag across the tongue. [20] X Research source
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Pull the right lace under the eyelet above it. Hold the right lace and position it under the eyelet right above it, or the second eyelet from the bottom on the right. Then, pull it up through the eyelet. [21] X Research source
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Thread the left lace under the third eyelet from the bottom on the left. Take the left shoelace and skip the eyelet directly above it. Instead, position it under the third eyelet from the bottom on the left. Just push the lace up and under the eyelet and pull it through. [22] X Research source
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Push the right lace down through the eyelet across from it. Pull the right side of the shoelace horizontally to the eyelet to the left of it, or the second eyelet from the bottom on the left. Then, thread the lace through the eyelet from above, moving from outside the eyelet to under it. [23] X Research source
- Pull the lace slowly and carefully to keep it flat and prevent it from twisting.
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Pull the left lace to the right eyelet and push it through from above. Move the left lace horizontally to the eyelet across from it, which is the third eyelet from the bottom on the right. Then, thread the lace down through the right eyelet from above. [24] X Research source
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Repeat the pattern for the right and left laces as you move up the shoe. Take the right lace again and push it under the eyelet above it. Then, take the left lace, skip an eyelet, and thread it under the fifth eyelet from the bottom. Pull the right lace down through the eyelet across from it, and then do the same for the left lace. [25] X Research source
- If your Air Force 1s have a loop or slit in the tongue, feel free to thread the lace through it, or not.
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Tuck the laces inside the shoe, or hide a knot behind the tongue. When you bar lace your shoes, you're left with a lot of remaining shoelace. To keep the style clean and pristine, hide the rest of the shoelace . Either slide the loose laces inside your shoe or tie a bow or knot and tuck it behind the tongue of the shoe. [26] X Research source
- If you want a looser fit, leave the last eyelet at the top unlaced.
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Center the metal “AF1” tag on your shoelace. Thread one end of the shoelace down through the opening on the metal tag. Then, push the same end up from under the other opening. Hold the shoelace ends together and slide the metal tag so it rests in the middle of each side of the lace. [27] X Research source
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Thread the ends of the shoelace up and under the bottom eyelets. Take the left side of the shoelace and position it under the bottom left eyelet. Then, pull it upwards and through the eyelet. Do the same on the right side, pulling the right lace up through the bottom right eyelet. [28] X Research source
- Pull the shoelace taut and ensure the metal “AF1” tag is centered across the tongue of the shoe.
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Push the right lace through the third eyelet from the bottom on the left. Hold the right lace and angle it diagonally across to the eyelet on the left that’s 3 up from the bottom. Then, thread it through the eyelet from above, pushing the lace from outside of the eyelet to under it. [29] X Research source
- Pull the lace straight and carefully to prevent it from turning over or twisting.
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Thread the left lace through the third eyelet from the bottom on the right. Now, pick up the left side of the shoelace and follow the same movements. Just take the left lace and thread it down through the eyelet on the right that’s 3 up from the bottom. [30] X Research source
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Take each lace and thread it under the eyelet beneath it. Hold the shoelace that’s now on the left side of the shoe and pull it up and under the eyelet beneath it; this is the second eyelet from the bottom on the left. Do the same on the right side and thread the lace under the second eyelet from the bottom on the right. [31] X Research source
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Thread the right lace down through the next available hole on the left. Take the right lace diagonally across to the next open eyelet on the left, which is the fourth eyelet up from the bottom. Then, push it down through the eyelet from above. [32] X Research source
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Push the left lace down through the next available hole on the right. Repeat the same movements using the left side of the lace. Just position the lace over the next open eyelet on the right, which is the fourth eyelet up from the bottom. Then, push it down and through the eyelet. [33] X Research source
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Slide each end of the lace under the eyelet beneath it. Hold the left side of the lace and push it under the eyelet beneath it, which is the eyelet that’s 3 up from the bottom. Your initial lace was through this hole, so it may take some effort to get the shoelace back through. Then, thread the right lace under the eyelet beneath it. [34] X Research source
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Repeat the same lacing movements until you get to the top eyelets. Keep threading the right and left laces diagonally across to the next open eyelet. Then, pull them up and under through the eyelet underneath them. Just stop when you reach the last eyelets at the top of the shoe. [35] X Research source
- With this lacing method, do not thread the laces through the flap or slit in the tongue.
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Thread the laces down through the opposite hole, then tuck the laces. To finish off the diamond lace, take the right lace and push it down through the last left eyelet. Then, do the opposite with the left lace. There’s only a little bit of lace left, so slide the remaining lace inside your shoe, or tie it in a bow and hide it behind the tongue. [36] X Research source
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Push one lace end through the second eyelet from the top on the right. Take one end of your lace and position it above the eyelet on the right that’s 1 down from the top. Then, push it down and through the eyelet. Pull the lace to about the length of your hand, then tuck it inside your shoe. [37] X Research source
- If the metal “AF1” tag is on your shoelaces, take it off.
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Pull the other lace through the second eyelet from the top on the left. Hold the other end of the lace and position it above the eyelet that’s 1 down from the top on the left. Then, push the lace down and through the eyelet, pulling the rest of the lace with it. [38] X Research source
- At this point, the lace is straight and horizontal along the second eyelet from the top.
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Thread the lace under the fourth eyelet from the top on the left. Still holding the same end of the lace, skip the eyelet that’s directly under it. Instead, push the lace up and under the next eyelet, which is the one that’s 4 down from the top lace. [39] X Research source
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Push the left lace down through the opposite eyelet. Take the lace end and pull it horizontally across to the eyelet to the right; this is the fourth eyelet from the top on the right. Then, thread it down through the eyelet from above. You now have a horizontal bar across your shoe. [40] X Research source
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Pull the shoelace up and under the bottom right eyelet. With the same end of the lace in your hand, pull it down to the very last eyelet on the right. Then, simply thread it up and under the eyelet. [41] X Research source
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Thread the lace down through the fourth eyelet from the top on the left. Take the lace back up and diagonally to the eyelet on the left that is 4 down from the top eyelet. Then, push it down through the eyelet from above. You already pushed the lace through this eyelet, so it might take some effort to get it through the hole. [42] X Research source
- Pull the shoelace slowly and keep it taught. This helps prevent your shoelace from twisting and turning.
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Pull the lace up and through the bottom left eyelet. Now, take the lace straight back down to the bottom-most eyelet on the left side of your shoe. Just thread the lace up and under the eyelet. [43] X Research source
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Push the lace down through the fourth eyelet from the top on the right. Take the lace up and diagonally to the eyelet on the right that is 4 down from the top eyelet. This is the same eyelet that you’ve laced before. Then, simply push the lace down and through the eyelet from above. [44] X Research source
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Pull the lace under the star and up through the bottom right hole. Move the lace to the bottom eyelets, repositioning it so it is underneath the star lacing that’s beginning to form. Then, bring the lace up and under through the bottom-most eyelet on the right side of your shoe. [45] X Research source
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Thread the lace under the diagonal lace and over the horizontal bar. Take the end of the shoelace and slip it under the first diagonal lace on the right. Then, bring it over the first horizontal bar, which is on the fourth eyelet from the top. [46] X Research source
- As you move the shoelace under your work, you might loosen or twist the lacing. Just take a moment to adjust and straighten the laces.
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Loop the lace over the top horizontal bar and under the diagonal lace. Wrap the lace over the horizontal bar on the second eyelet down from the top. Then, bring the lace diagonally down, threading it under the diagonal lace on the left side of the shoe. [47] X Research source
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Push the lace down through the bottom eyelet on the left. Now, take the end of the shoelace and thread it down through the bottom left eyelet from above. As you can see, the star is officially complete! [48] X Research source
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Thread the lace under the top left eyelet and over the right. To finish out the star lace, push the shoelace up and under the top-most left eyelet. Then, bring it horizontally across to the top right eyelet and thread the lace through from above. [49] X Research source
- If you want to add the metal “AF1” tag back on your shoelace, thread it through the openings before you push the lace through the top right eyelet.
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Tie the lace ends in a knot, then tuck them inside your shoe. With this lacing pattern, both ends of the shoelace end up on the right side of your shoe. To keep the star in place, just tie a simple knot near the tongue of your shoe. Then, slide the remaining lace inside. [50] X Research source
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