Shoelaces

We have high quality shoelaces for most types of shoes. Waxed laces for dress shoes - both flat and round, different types of boot laces, shoelaces for sneakers and elastic laces.

The round waxed laces are the same type that comes with our shoes from Skolyx, Yanko and TLB Mallorca, while the flat laces are the same model that comes with shoes from the top line TLB Mallorca Artista. Premium shoelaces for sneakers are the same type that come with our own sneakers and trainers. Of course, all of these are also suitable for shoes from other manufacturers. We then also have several other types of shoe laces, including from French Saphir. 

How long should shoelaces be?

Unfortunately, many of the generalised shoelace length guides available online are misleading, going only by the number of pairs of eyelets but not taking into account the type of shoe at all. For example, there's a big difference between a pair of dressy oxford shoes with closed laces and a pair of sneakers with wide open laces, even if they have the same number of pairs of eyelets. At Skolyx we therefore have more specific guidance tailored to each type of shoelace and the type of shoes they are intended for, which you can find on the respective product page.

To summarise, and give general guidance, the following lengths of laces apply for classic shoes and for boots:
4 pairs of eyelets: ~75 cm
5 pairs of eyelets: ~80 cm
6 pairs of eyelets: ~90 cm
Derby boots with 6-9 pairs of eyelets: ~120 cm
Oxford boots with 8-11 pairs of eyelets: ~120 cm
Derby boots with 9-11 pairs of eyelets: ~140 cm

For sneakers and sports shoes with wide open lacing:
6-9 pairs of eyelets: ~120 cm
9-12 pairs of eyelets: ~150 cm

For sneakers and sports shoes with wide open lacing, where elastic laces are used:
2-4 pairs of eyelets: ~75 cm
5-6 pairs of eyelets: ~90 cm
6-7 pairs of eyelets: ~105 cm

What's the best way to lace shoes?

As always, it depends a bit on the type of shoes you have and the look you're going for. The standard cross lacing is something that most people can do, it works well on more casual shoes, boots and sneakers. Note, however, that aesthetically it usually looks better if you make sure the cross lacing is done from the bottom up, i.e. at each lacing hole you insert the shoelace from the top of the eyelet. Also be careful to make it symmetrical, so that the same side overlaps the other throughout the shoe, and do the same on both shoes.

If you want a more elegant look where the lacing runs straight between pairs of eyelets, which looks great on more dressy shoes like oxfords, we recommend a type called the Boston-two-step. It combines a clean look with being relatively symmetrical in length on either side, making it easier to tighten the laces, and at the same time it locks the laces in place very well. Here you pull the lacing so that it's at the top straight across the lower holes, then one side goes first two steps up to the other side, straight across, two steps up again (finishing depending on the number of eyelet pairs). The other side starts one step up, but then also goes two steps up in the free eyelet, and so straight across so that the lacing run parallel straight across the whole facing.

Why waxed laces?

Waxed laces are extra durable as they have the protective layer on the outside, the knots often hold a little better thanks to the increased friction from the wax, and the increased lustre suits certain types of shoe well.