3 Simple Ways to Lace Jordan 1 Sneakers (High, Mid & Low)

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Show off your Jordans with these fresh & easy lace designs

Co-authored by Moe Draper and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: December 1, 2024 Fact Checked

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Classic Lacing

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Bar Lacing

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Loop-Back Lacing

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Video

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Tips

Jays. Jump-mans. Jordans. Whatever you call them, Jordan 1s are classic sneakers that look great on everyone, but did you know you can make them even more iconic by switching up the laces? In this article, we’re providing 3 effortlessly cool designs so you can lace your Jordan 1s like a true sneakerhead. So, if you're ready to elevate your highs, mids, or lows, read on!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Classic Lacing

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1
Push the end of each lace through the top of the bottom 2 eyelets. Thread the left end of the lace through the top of the bottom left eyelet, and the right end through the top of the bottom right eyelet. Line up the ends of the laces together, then pull upward to ensure each side is equal in length.^{[1]
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- Stuff your sneaker with socks to prevent creasing and provide resistance under the tongue when you’re lacing.
2
Pull the left lace under and through the eyelet above and diagonal to it. Take the left lace and position it underneath the second eyelet from the bottom on the right. Pull the lace upward, moving from the underside of the eyelet to the outside. Then, double check that the lace is straight so you end up with a clean, crisp look.^{[2]
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- If you’re going for the loose lace method, make sure you don’t pull the lace too tight so your foot has room to breathe.
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3
Thread the right lace under and through the eyelet above and diagonal to it. Cross the right lace to the left side, and place it underneath the second eyelet from the bottom on the left. Thread the lace through the eyelet, pulling it from the underside of the eyelet to the outside.^{[3]
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- To preserve your Jordans, hold your index finger under the right lace before pulling it through the eyelet—your finger will prevent the lace from creasing the tongue as you pull.
4
Continue lacing up the shoe in this pattern until you reach the top 2 eyelets. Alternate threading the right and left laces by pulling the ends through the eyelets above and diagonal to them. Check that the lace is straight before crossing it to the other side, and be sure to position the lace below each eyelet before pulling it through—this ensures all the laces go in the same direction for a clean, uniform look.^{[4]
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- Leave more eyelets empty if you want more room in your shoe, or lace them all the way up for a more snug fit.
5
Tie the remaining lace in a bow, or tuck the loose ends inside the shoe. Tug on the tongue a few times to loosen up the lacing, then tie a bow with the leftover lace. If you don’t have enough lace to make a bow, slide on your shoe, then stuff the loose ends underneath the tongue for a fresh, factory-like finish.^{[5]
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- If you want your shoes a little looser, pull on the diagonal lacing throughout the entire shoe to give yourself more space before tying it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Bar Lacing

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To create a bar across the bottom of the shoe, take one end of your shoelace and pull it through the bottom set of eyelets, inserting the lace through the top of the holes. Hold the ends of the lace together, then pull upward to make sure both sides are equal in length.^{[6]
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With the toe box facing away from you, take the right end of the lace and position it underneath the next right eyelet (the second eyelet from the bottom of the shoe). Then, pull the lace through the eyelet.^{[7]
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Hold the end of the right lace and place it above the left eyelet that is directly beside it (the second eyelet from the bottom of the left). Thread the lace through the eyelet from above, moving from the top of the eyelet to the inside.^{[8]
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Skip one eyelet on the left side, and position the end of the right lace underneath the following eyelet (the fourth eyelet from the bottom on the left). Thread the lace through the bottom of the eyelet, moving from the inside to the outside.^{[9]
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Take the end of the left lace and place it under the next available eyelet of the left side (the third eyelet from the bottom of the shoe). Make sure the lace goes underneath the one that is already threaded through both sides of the second eyelet (the right lace running horizontally across the shoe). Pull the left lace through the third eyelet, moving from the inside to the outside.^{[10]
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Hold the end of the left lace and place it above the right eyelet that is directly beside it (the third eyelet from the bottom of the right). Thread the lace through the eyelet from above, moving from the outside to the inside.^{[11]
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Skip one eyelet on the right side, and place the end of the left lace underneath the next eyelet (the fifth eyelet from the bottom of the right). Pull the lace through the bottom of the eyelet from below.^{[12]
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8
Repeat this lacing pattern on both sides until you reach the top of the shoe. Go back to the right lace and pull it through the eyelet across from it (the fourth eyelet from the bottom of the right). Then, skip one eyelet on the same side and push it under the next eyelet (the fifth eyelet on the right). Continue repeating this pattern with the left lace to form new bars, and work your way up the entire shoe, leaving the last 2 eyelets empty.^{[13]
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- The right lace will thread through the even eyelets, while the left lace will thread through the odd eyelets.^{[14]
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9
Tie the remaining lace into a factory knot and tuck it below the tongue. After you’ve laced up the entire shoe, secure the leftover lace into a factory knot—loop both ends of the lace around your index and middle finger in an overhand direction, then cross the ends over the wrap and pinch them under your thumb. Then, hide the knot under the tongue of the shoe for a fresh and clean finish.^{[15]
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- If you don’t have enough leftover lace to tie a knot, just tuck the ends inside the shoe after you put it on.
- Most people prefer to bar lace their mid and low Jordan 1s over their high Jordans 1s.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Loop-Back Lacing

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1
Thread each end of the lace downward through the bottom eyelets. Create a bar across the bottom of the shoe by placing the left end of the lace above the bottom left eyelet, and the right end of the lace above the bottom right eyelet. Lace each end through the eyelets from the outside, then line up the ends of the lace and pull upwards to ensure the lace is centered.^{[16]
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- If your lace twists, straighten it out to get a flat horizontal line of lace across the shoe.
2
Cross the right lace over the left, then wrap it around the back of the left lace. Make an “X” in the center of the shoe by crossing the right lace over the left lace. Twist the right lace clockwise to wrap it behind the left lace (until the right lace returns to the right side of the shoe). Then, pull the left lace to the left side of the shoe, and pull both laces down to create a “loop.”^{[17]
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- If your laces get twisted or tangled, take a moment to straighten them out before moving on.
3
Push the left lace through the top of the left eyelet directly above it. Take the left lace and place it above the second eyelet from the bottom of the left. Thread the lace through the eyelet, moving it from the outside to the inside. Then, pull the lace toward the center of the shoe to loosen it up.^{[18]
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- You want each loop to be centered in the middle of the shoe, so don’t pull the laces through the eyelets too tight.
4
Thread the right lace through the top of the right eyelet above it. Position the right lace on top of the second eyelet from the bottom of the right, and pull it through the eyelet from the outside to the inside. Tug the lace toward the middle of the shoe to loosen it, and line up the ends of the right and left lace to ensure they’re equal in length.^{[19]
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- If the loop isn’t centered or the ends of the laces aren’t even, keep tugging the lace toward the center of the shoe to loosen it and make adjustments.
5
Continue this pattern up the entire shoe until you reach the top 2 eyelets. Cross the right lace over the left to make an “X,” then wrap the right lace behind the left (until it returns to the right side). Pull the left lace to the left side, and pull both laces down to create another loop. Then, push the left lace through the top of the next available eyelet on the left side, and thread the right lace through the top of the next empty eyelet on the right.^{[20]
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- As you create more loops, make sure the laces remain straight, and check that the loop is centered.
- Most people leave the last 4 eyelets empty for high top Jordan 1s.
What you do with the leftover lace is completely up to you—tie them into a bow, tuck the ends behind the tongue, or leave them hanging out for a casual look! Feel free to go back and adjust the tightness of the laces so you can prevent creasing in the long run, too.^{[21]
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Tips

If you’re loose lacing high top Jordan 1s, purchase 72 inch laces for men or 63 inch laces for women. They’re longer in length than the factory laces that come with your Jordans, ensuring you have enough lace to tie the entire shoe.^{[22]
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