How to Replace Shoelaces: Step by Step

New laces instantly make a shoe look cared for again. Learning how to replace shoelaces is quick, as long as you pick the right lace and lace it neatly. In this guide you will learn step by step how to measure your old lace, which replacement to choose and how to lace the new one criss-cross or straight.

Step 1: choose the right replacement

Before you throw away the old lace, take three things from it: the shape, the width and the length.

1. Check whether the lace is flat, round or oval. Choose the same shape and it will definitely fit your eyelets.
2. Measure the width or thickness. Most sneakers have flat laces of 8 mm, dress shoes thin laces of 3 to 4 mm.
3. Lay the old lace flat and measure it from aglet to aglet. If you end up between two lengths, take the longer one.

If the old lace is lost or too short, count the eyelets on one side and check our shoelace length guide for the length you need.

Your old lace	Choose at Veter.nl
Flat, about 8 mm	Basic flat laces (8 mm)
Flat and thin, 4 to 5 mm	Thin laces (4 mm)
Round, about 5 mm	Basic round laces (5 mm)
Round, thin and smooth	Waxed round laces (3 mm)
Oval	Basic oval laces (6 mm)

View all laces by type

Step 2: take out the old lace

Untie the bow and pull the lace out of the eyelets from one side. If you want to recreate the factory pattern exactly, take a photo of the lacing first. Use the moment to give the tongue and eyelets a quick clean.

Step 3: lace the new lace criss-cross

Criss-cross lacing works on almost any shoe. This is how you do it:

1. Push the lace through the bottom pair of eyelets from the outside in. There is now a straight bar across the bottom of the shoe.
2. Pull the lace through until both ends are the same length.
3. Cross the ends over the tongue. Push the left end through the next eyelet on the right from the inside out and the right end through the eyelet on the left.
4. Repeat until you reach the top pair of eyelets. Put the same end on top at every crossing so the pattern stays even.
5. If you use flat laces, keep the flat side facing up and do not let the lace twist in the eyelet.
6. Tighten the lace evenly at each crossing from bottom to top. Check that both ends are still the same length and tie the lace.

Step 3b: straight lacing for dress shoes

On dress shoes, straight lacing looks calmer. On the outside you only see straight bars, without crosses.

1. Push both ends through the bottom pair of eyelets from the outside in.
2. Take the left end up one eyelet on the inside, bring it out and run it straight across. Push it back in on the other side.
3. Take the right end up two eyelets on the inside, bring it out and run it straight across. Push it back in on the other side.
4. Carry on like this: each end goes up two eyelets on the inside and then makes a straight bar to the other side.
5. At the top pair, simply bring both ends out and tie the lace.

With an odd number of eyelet pairs, one end goes up just one eyelet at the end. That way both ends still finish at the top.

Step 4: check the length

Tie the lace and walk a few steps. If the loops and ends almost touch the ground, the lace is too long. If you can barely tie a bow, it is too short. A lace that is slightly too long can be fixed with a double bow. If it is much too long or too short, go one step longer or shorter on the length ladder of 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160 and 180 cm.

Got it wrong? You can exchange unused laces in their original packaging within 14 days through our exchange service.

How to replace shoelaces: troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
One end is much longer	Slide the lace back through the bottom pair until both sides are equal
The aglet will not go through the eyelet	The lace is too thick. Choose a thinner version in the same shape
A flat lace is twisted	Pull that section back and feed it through the eyelet flat
The bow keeps coming undone	Tie the first knot the other way round or choose a waxed lace
The pattern is uneven	Put the same end on top at every crossing

Frequently asked questions

Should I always replace laces as a pair?

That looks best, because a new lace is often slightly different in colour from a worn one. Laces from Veter.nl come in sets of two.

Can I choose a different shape from the original lace?

You can, as long as the new lace fits through your eyelets. Push the aglet through the smallest eyelet. If it goes through without forcing, it fits.

What if my shoe has hooks?

Lace the eyelets as described above and at the hooks, lay the lace over the hook from above towards the inside. A round lace slides around a hook most easily.

Looking for a new set? Browse every shape and width under laces by type.