So you own a pair of Converse sneakers, but the laces are too long. Not only are long laces annoying, but they can be dangerous too.
But why are Converse laces so long?
Whether you wear a size 7 or a size 20, Converse has to ensure that all shoes can be fully laced up, which means that the length needed for size 20 sneakers is the same length you get. That way, the shoes don’t have to be returned because the laces are too short.
Moreover, there are other factors like factory mistakes that can cause Converse laces to be longer than they should. In this post, let’s talk about why Converse laces are so long, including easy hacks on how to make them shorter.
All About Converse Shoe Laces
To help you achieve the best comfort and convenience when wearing a pair of Chuck Taylors, we’ve gathered some of the most frequently asked questions about Converse shoelaces.
Here are each question answered in great detail:
1. What lengths are Converse laces?
To determine the best length for your Converse sneakers, we all need to know what lengths are Converse laces. We did our research and here’s what we found out:
Converse laces have four different lengths that measure 27, 36, 45, and 54 inches. The length of the laces depends on how many pairs of eyelets are on the shoes.
However, since Converse has different shoe models with different numbers of eyelet pairs, you need to consider each shoe model carefully.
2. How long should Converse laces be?
Now that you know what lengths Converse laces are, your next step is to determine how long Converse laces should be. To do this, you need to consider the number of eyelet pairs.
Let’s take a look at these three different Converse shoes:
Converse Chuck Taylors
5 eyelet pairs
Converse All-Star Ox
7 eyelet pairs
Converse High-Tops
8 eyelet pairs
Notice how each shoe has a different number of eyelet pairs on the shoes. Shoe number one has 5 eyelet pairs, shoe number two has 6 eyelet pairs, and shoe number three has 8.
Generally, an eyelet pair consumes about 3 inches of laces, and you will need about 12 inches left to tie the shoe properly.
So, here’s how to decide how long Converse laces should be:
- Determine how many eyelet pairs the shoe has.
- Multiply that number by 3.
- Add 12 to that number to determine the proper lace size.
Let’s take the same three shoes above as examples.
The first shoe has 5 eyelet pairs, so multiplying that number by 3 and adding 12 would result in 27. So that particular shoe would need 27-inch laces.
3. Why are Converse laces so long?
By now you may be thinking why are Converse laces so long?
The reason is simple: Converse, as a shoe manufacturer, has to cover all its bases. In other words, each shoe size has to be accounted for.
Because sneakers are produced in large quantities, Converse needs to make sure that all shoe sizes can be fully laced up, so some shoes will get longer laces than others.
It can be expensive for a shoe producer to provide different lace lengths for size 7 and size 15 shoes, so the laces given to the size 15 shoes are also given to the size 7 shoes.
As a result, the size 7 shoes may receive longer-than-normal laces.
Additionally, there are plenty of lacing methods to consider. Contrary to the common “criss-cross” lacing method, there are many shoe lacing methods out there.
Since each method needs different shoelace lengths, shoe manufacturers, like Converse, need to make sure that each shoe can be fully laced up.
Fortunately, there are easy hacks to lace Converse shoes while shortening them…
4. How to shorten Converse laces while tying them
There are two methods to shorten Converse laces while tying them. You can either bar lace or loose lace them. Here are the two options explained in better detail:
Bar lacing method
For those who are not familiar with the bar lacing method, it is essentially letting the laces go across the eyelet pairs instead of the normal “criss-cross” pattern.
The benefit of bar lacing is that you can easily shorten long Converse laces by doubling each eyelet, which looks neat and relieves pressure on the upper ridges of the feet.
Here’s how to do the bar lacing method on Converse sneakers.
- Start at the first pair of eyelets and insert both ends from the outside in. Once the laces are inside the first pair of eyelets, hold the two ends together and pull it in.
- Take the left side of the aglet and push it through the next adjacent eyelet from the inside out. Take the right side of the aglet and push it through the two next adjacent eyelets from the inside out.
- Both ends should run straight up on the inside, each skipping one eyelet and emerging two eyelets higher up. Also, both ends should continue straight across on the outside and through the adjacent eyelets.
- Alternate running up on the inside and across on the outside until lacing is completed.
Once the lacing is completed, you can simply tie your Converse laces and you’re good to go. The verticals are hidden inside of the shoes, making them look neater.
Loose lacing method
Another option to shorten your Converse laces naturally is to use the loose lacing method. It is great because it provides a casual look because the shoes are untied.
To loosely lace Converse shoes, start at the first pair of eyelets and insert both ends of the lace from the outside in. Once the first pair of eyelets have been filled, continue to the next pair but instead of popping the lace from the inside out, insert the aglets from the outside in.
It’s important to use your finger to limit the lacing to create a loosely laced look.
Continue this process until you reach the last pair of eyelets. Once you have reached the end, simply pull the tongue upwards. The laces should hang loosely without touching the floor.
Just be warned that loose lacing makes the shoe tongues prone to sliding.
Conclusion
And there you go, the answer to the question: why are Converse laces so long?
Now you know how to deal with Converse laces that are too long by tying them in a unique way. You can also determine the right-sized laces if you need a replacement.
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