Straight bar lacing, sometimes called parallel lacing or Lydiard lacing, runs each lace horizontally across the outside of the shoe with no visible diagonal crosses. It gives sneakers a clean, minimal look and works best on shoes with an even number of eyelet pairs (6, 8, or 10). Here’s how to do it, plus workarounds if your shoes have an odd number.
What You Need Before You Start
Count your eyelet pairs. Most sneakers have 6 or 7 pairs. The standard straight bar method is designed for even numbers. If you have an odd number, you’ll need a small modification covered below. Remove your old laces completely so you can start fresh from the bottom eyelets.
Step-by-Step: Straight Bar Lacing
This method keeps all the horizontal bars visible on top while hiding the vertical runs inside the shoe.
- Step 1: Thread the lace down through both bottom eyelets so the lace runs straight across the outside. Pull both ends even.
- Step 2: Take the left end and run it straight up on the inside of the shoe, skipping one eyelet, then push it out through the third eyelet up on the left side.
- Step 3: Take that same left end straight across the outside to the right side and push it down through the corresponding eyelet.
- Step 4: Take the right end and run it straight up on the inside, also skipping one eyelet, then push it out through the second eyelet up on the right side.
- Step 5: Take that right end straight across the outside to the left side and push it down through the corresponding eyelet.
- Step 6: Continue alternating. Each end travels up on the inside (skipping one eyelet, emerging two holes higher), then straight across on the outside. Repeat until you reach the top.
When done correctly, you’ll see nothing but horizontal bars on top of the shoe. All the vertical segments are hidden underneath. Both lace ends should finish at the top pair of eyelets, ready to tie.
If Your Sneakers Have an Odd Number of Eyelets
Shoes with 5 or 7 eyelet pairs create a problem: the standard alternating pattern doesn’t land both ends at the top evenly. The simplest fix is to include one hidden diagonal crossover at the very bottom. Thread the lace straight across the bottom eyelets on the outside as usual, then run one end diagonally up on the inside to the second eyelet on the opposite side. From there, continue the normal straight bar pattern. That single diagonal is buried under the tongue and invisible from the outside, but it shifts the pattern enough to make the math work.
Another option is to skip the very bottom eyelet pair entirely and start your straight bars at the second row, which effectively reduces your count by one and makes it even. This leaves the bottom eyelets empty, which some people prefer for a looser fit around the toe box.
Straight Bar vs. European Straight Lacing
These two methods look identical from the outside, but they differ underneath. Standard straight bar lacing runs the hidden segments vertically up one side at a time. European straight lacing runs diagonal crosses on the inside, zigzagging back and forth beneath the tongue. The European version pulls tighter and feels more secure because those hidden diagonals create real tension, similar to traditional crisscross lacing. On dress shoes where the tongue is fully covered, the messy underside is invisible, so European straight is popular for formal footwear.
For sneakers, standard straight bar lacing is the better choice. The tongue on most sneakers is thin and flexible, so bulky diagonal crossings underneath can create visible lumps or uneven pressure. The cleaner underside of straight bar lacing sits flatter against your foot.
Comfort Benefits of Straight Bar Lacing
This lacing pattern provides more room across the top of your foot than traditional crisscross lacing. Each horizontal bar applies pressure evenly from side to side rather than pulling inward at angles. That makes it a good option if you have a high instep, wide forefoot, or general discomfort from laces pressing down on the top of your foot.
If you have a particularly high arch or a bony bump on top of your foot, you can combine straight bar lacing with skip lacing: simply leave one horizontal bar out over the sensitive area, running both ends straight up on the inside past that eyelet pair. This creates a pressure-free gap exactly where you need it, which is also helpful for bone spurs or inflammation of the tendons on top of the foot.
The tradeoff is that straight bar lacing doesn’t cinch as tightly as crisscross. If you need a locked-down fit for running or court sports, you may find the shoe feels slightly looser. For casual wear and everyday walking, the fit is more than adequate.
Display Lacing: The Tucked-In Version
You’ve probably seen sneakers in stores laced with perfect horizontal bars and no bow. This is display lacing, a variation where both loose ends finish inside the shoe and get tucked away for a clean, uncluttered look. It’s great for photography or displaying a sneaker collection, but not practical for daily wear since there’s no way to tie and adjust tension. If you want the straight bar look with a functional bow, stick with the standard method above.
Tips for a Clean Result
Start by pulling both ends perfectly even at the bottom. If one side is longer than the other, every bar above will sit crooked. Work your way up slowly, keeping each horizontal bar flat and snug before moving to the next. Thin, flat laces look best with this pattern because round or rope-style laces tend to twist and won’t lie flat across the eyelets. If your sneakers came with round laces, swapping to flat ones makes a noticeable difference in how sharp the finished result looks.
Once fully laced, tug gently on each bar from bottom to top to even out the tension. The bars should be snug enough to hold the shoe on your foot but not so tight that the tongue bunches. If you find the top two bars loosen throughout the day, try locking them in place with a surgeon’s knot (loop the lace through twice instead of once before tying your bow) at the top.