Six-eyelet method
How to parallel lace running shoes
- Remove the laces and count the paired eyelet rows. The diagram uses six pairs.
- Make the bottom bar: feed the lace through both lowest eyelets from the outside in, then center the ends.
- Run the left end up inside the shoe to the second eyelet on the same side. Bring it out and straight across into the opposite eyelet.
- Run the right end up inside the shoe, skip the second row, and bring it out through the third eyelet. Cross straight over into its pair.
- Alternate ends. Each one travels up two rows on the inside, then crosses straight over on the outside.
- At the top pair, bring both ends straight up on the inside and out through the final eyelets. Put the shoe on, even out the bars, and tie normally.
What parallel lacing changes
Standard crisscross lacing lays diagonal sections over the tongue. Parallel lacing moves those diagonals inside the shoe, leaving only horizontal bars across the top. The result can feel less compressive over a high instep or a sensitive spot on top of the foot.
Lace the shoe while your foot is inside it. Begin loose at the toe, then remove slack one bar at a time. Your heel should stay planted and your toes should move naturally.
If your shoe has an odd number of eyelet pairs
Reserve the top pair and use the six rows below it for the parallel pattern. You can tie at the sixth row or run each end straight up through the reserved pair. If you need more heel hold, use that final pair for a runner’s loop.
When to try a different fix
- Pressure in one small area: try window lacing to open space only over that spot.
- Heel slipping: use a runner’s loop rather than tightening every bar.
- Toes hitting the front: check shoe length and heel hold; lacing cannot make the shoe longer.
- The upper bulges or the midsole feels narrow: a wider or higher-volume shoe is the more direct fix.