Quick answer
What is parallel lacing?
Parallel lacing—also called straight-bar lacing—runs the visible lace horizontally across the shoe instead of diagonally. The hidden sections travel vertically beneath the eyelet row, reducing the number of crossings that press over the tongue.
Six-eyelet method
How to parallel lace 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.
Is parallel lacing the same as Lydiard lacing?
Often, yes. Lydiard lacing is a running-shoe name commonly used for the straight-bar or parallel family: horizontal bars remain visible on top while most of the lace travels vertically beneath the eyelet rows. The exact hidden route can vary with the number of eyelet pairs, so two correct diagrams may not look identical underneath.
The Lydiard Foundation demonstrates the method as the shoe-lacing technique preferred by running coach Arthur Lydiard. The six-pair pattern above follows the same pressure-distributing idea; use the odd-eyelet adjustment below when your shoe has a different layout.
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.
Common parallel-lacing mistakes
- Starting with uneven lace ends: center the bottom bar before building the pattern so both ends reach the top.
- Tightening an empty shoe: put your foot in first, then remove slack from the toe upward one bar at a time.
- Exposing the vertical sections: keep each upward run beneath the eyelet row so only the straight bars show on top.
- Using the pattern for heel slip: parallel lacing changes pressure over the tongue; use a runner’s loop when the heel needs more hold.
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: compare wide-foot lacing, then consider a wider or higher-volume shoe.
Save the parallel-lacing diagram
Keep the complete six-eyelet pattern nearby while you relace your shoes.
