For several decades, vans have become among the most popular footgear for most sports. In particular, van sneakers have become the face of skating culture since the ’60s. However, for you to rock in these sneakers, the trick is in creating unique patterns with shoelaces. So knowing how to lace vans is one of the crucial skills that will make you stand out in these shoes.
If you’ve been wondering how to get a unique way to lace vans, then we’ve got you covered. We have rounded up tips on how to lace vans like a rockstar. These are some of the most popular and unique lacing methods that will make you stand out.
Here are six creative ways on how to lace vans like a pro
1. Straight Bar lacing Vans
Straight bar lacing is one of the most popular street styles but pretty cool for vans. It is a very simple style that provides a very clean appearance. The pattern is also easy to tighten, making it perfect for skating and other skills. However, it works well for vans with an even number of eyelets. That’s because the lace must cross the shoe an even number of times.
Here are the main steps for a six pair van shoe:
- Start with inserting shoelace in the first eyelets at the bottom with the shoe facing you.
- Then pull the ends of the laces to ensure they are even for this pattern to work.
- Run the left shoelace end straight up on the van inside and out through the next higher eyelet on the left side. Then the end straight across on the shoe outside into the direct opposite eyelet (second eyelet from the bottom on the right).
- Now run the two ends of the shoelace straight up on the inside with each skipping one eyelet to emerge two eyelets higher. Then both ends run straight across on the outside and in through the adjacent eyelets.
- Repeat these steps (the last step) until you reach the last two eyelets.
2. Ladder Lacing Style
If you’re wondering how to lace vans in a cool lacing style, then you need to consider ladder lacing. The style is a little bit harder and trick compared to the straight bar lacing, but it’s worth the extra work. The pattern stays tighter, making it perfect for skate shoes amongst other activities.
Here are the main steps for a six pair of eyelets:
- With the van shoe facing you, feed the shoelace across and out bottom eyelets. Make sure that the ends are even.
- Run the ends straight up inside and bring the lace out through next higher eyelets.
- Then cross the ends, running them diagonally and feed them under the vertical lace section on the opposite side.
- Then run the end straight up and in through the next higher eyelet
- Repeat the last two steps until the last eyelets
3. Cross-lacing Vans
The cross lacing method will not only make you stand out, but it’s also fun. It is an easy pattern to make and will keep you vans tight for an intense sport making perfect for skate shoes. The pattern is very simple, and all you need is to have the right length shoelaces.
Here are the main steps for 6 pairs of eyelets.
- With the van facing you, insert the shoelace into the bottom eyelets with the ends going inwards. That forms a bar across the bottom.
- Cross the left lace end over to the right side and insert it down into the second eyelet on the right side. Do the same to the right end.
- Repeat the pattern until you reach the van is completely laced. You can now tuck in the loose ends into the vans to avoid stepping on them.
4. Lattice Lacing Style
The lacing style is one of the best ways of how to lace vans like a pro. With this pattern, laces are crossed at a steep angle and in a way that they are woven through each other. But be very keen because making mistakes is very common with the lacing method.
Here are the main steps for 6 pairs of eyelets and 1 variation.
- Insert the ends of shoelace into the bottom eyelets to form a cross with ends going insider.
- Run both ends inside and then bring the lace out through the next higher eyelets.
- Cross the two ends of the shoelace and feed in through the set of eyelets three rows higher up the van shoe, i.e. skip two eyelets.
- Then run the two ends straight up on the inside and bring the lace out through the next high eyelets.
- Cross the shoelace ends on the outside and feed them in through the set of eyelets three rows lower down or the second eyelet. Note that the end is running on the inside.
- With the end running on the inside, it should come out through the next high eyelet.
- Then cross the end on the outside, feed undersides and out through the top eyelets. This is how the lattice pattern should look like now.
5. Loop-Back Lace Vans
The loop lacing vans is one of the versatile patterns. It is a very simple lacing method and yet will improve your appearance if done properly. Each of the van loops back on itself down the middle. However, you need to do it right to avoid loops shifting off the center.
Here are the steps for 6 pairs of eyelets.
- Start with the shoelace across on the inside and out through the bottom eyelets.
- Give the ends a half twist in the middle of the van before looping them back and run the ends on the inside through the next higher eyelet.
- Repeat the send step until the van lacing is complete. Make sure that the loops do not shift off the center. This is what you get at the end.
6. Saw Tooth Van lacing
For looking for tips on how to lace vans for comfortable skating or any other sport, then saw tooth van lacing method is what they need. The pattern has section pulling a steep angle, which could shift the alignment of the sides. Therefore, you must get it right.
Here are saw tooth lacing steps for a van with 6 pairs of eyelets.
- Start with the shoelace crossing on the outside and in through the bottom eyelets.
- With the van shoe facing you, run the left end straight up on the inside and bring the lace out through the next higher eyelet on the left side. Then run the end across on the outside into the direct opposite eyelet on the right.
- The run the right end diagonally up to the left on the insider and straight across to the outsider. Do the same of the left end (in the eyelet three from bottom).
- Repeat with alternating ends until you reach the top. The ends should run straight up on the insider and out through the top eyelet. You can make a not or hide the loose ends in the vans shoes.
Conclusion
Lacing vans shoes can be tricky, but with right lacing styles tips, you can change your look completely. These are among the best tips on how to lace vans like a rockstar. They are pretty simple once you practice them regularly. Try them and you will be impressed by the transformation.
