Non-crossing, parallel lacing pattern. Technique in detail: Beginning at the distal eyelets, each lace is continued proximally after skipping one eyelet, and is then crossed. Repeat until all eyelets are laced and tied. Notice that with this lacing pattern, the laces do not crisscross each other. Purpose: This technique lessens the pressure on the top portion of the arch of the foot, while still securing the foot to the shoe. Foot types and conditions for this lacing pattern : High-arched foot, shoes that feel “too tight” on the top of the foot

Outside-eyelet, crisscross lacing pattern. Technique in detail: Shoes with eyelets that zigzag up the placket will work best for this technique. The standard crisscross pattern is modified by using only the outside/widest eyelets of the shoe. Tighten from the outer eyelets, pulling the body of the shoe toward the center. Purpose: This technique will help to pull up on and support the arch by tightening the shoe to the foot. Foot types and conditions for this lacing pattern: Low (flat) arch, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, narrow foot

Inside-eyelet, crisscross lacing pattern. Technique in detail: Shoes with eyelets that zigzag up the placket will work best for this technique. The standard crisscross pattern is modified by using only the inside/narrowest eyelets of the shoe. Tighten from the inner eyelets, pulling less of the body of the shoe toward the center. Purpose: This technique will help to alleviate pressure on the top of the arch by loosening the shoe to the foot. Foot types and conditions for this lacing pattern: High arch, dorsal foot ganglion or cyst, dorsal foot exostosis, nerve impingement syndromes (medial dorsal cutaneus nerve or intermediate dorsal cutaneus nerve)

Distal-medial eyelet lacing technique. Technique in detail: The picture above shows the left shoe. The black half of the shoelace is threaded through the most distal-medial eyelet (closest to the big toe). Next, it is crossed all the way up through the most proximal-lateral (highest, opposite-side) eyelet to the outside. Leave just enough slack at the top to tie a bow. Take the remaining portion of the lace—the white half of the shoelace shown above—straight across toward the outside of the shoe and then diagonally up toward the inside of the shoe. Repeat until all of the eyelets are laced. Purpose: To pull the upper material off of the big toe and decrease the pressure on the great toe and joint. In the above picture, when the black shoelace is tugged and tightened, the distal-medial eyelet (the part of the shoe directly over the big toe) will be pulled away from the great toe and toenail, thereby relieving shoe pressure at this area. Foot conditions helped most with this lacing pattern: Black toenail/subungual hematoma of the great toe, subungual exostosis of the great toe Hallux extensus, hallux valgus/bunion deformity, hallux limitus/rigidus, turf toe

“Heel lock” lacing modification. Technique in detail: Lace as normal until one eyelet remains proximally on each side. Draw the lace straight up on the outside of the shoe and bring it through the last eyelet, creating a loop, and repeat on the other side. Cross each lace over the tongue, thread it through the opposite loop, and tie. The loops help to cinch in the material around the ankle, which “locks” the shoe to the heel and prevents the heel from slipping without making the rest of the shoe any tighter. Purpose: To create a more secure fit around the ankle without tightening the entire shoe. It should be noted that this technique effectively “locks” the heel into the shoe. This common technique provides a much more stable fit, and can easily be combined or added with other lacing patterns. Foot conditions helped most with this lacing modification: Narrow heels, heel slippage, heel bullae/blisters, athletes who wear orthoses and have problems with the orthosis moving inside the shoe