Nike Air Max is your wardrobe staple due to its comfortable and cool looks. And that’s exactly why many people love these trainers! They are massively popular and can be found in many, many wardrobes. The downside is that that is not very conducive to exclusivity. No matter how special you think your Nike trainers are, probably your BFF, neighbour, or colleague owns the same pair of Air Max’s. Do you love to wear your awesome trainers and stand out in the crowd? Then these 5 cool ways to tie the laces of your Nike Air Max are indispensable!

5 Ways to lace your Nike Air Max

Nike Air Max comes in all shapes and sizes: from the classic Air Max 1 to the ultra-urban Nike Air Max 95 and, the youngest golden-oldie, the AM 270. Since every Air Max model is unique, the eyelets differ as well. One Nike model can have up to 7 eyelets, while another model only has 3 eyelets. These 5 ways of lacing your Nike Air Max can be applied to all models, regardless of the number of eyelets. 

#1 Crossed laces

Tying the laces crossed in your Nike Air Max may be the most common way of all. This technique is used in almost every Nike shoe. Because the laces are crossed, it’s really easy to tighten or loosen them. It’s a very straightforward way to tie your laces; your trainers are comfortable to wear this way, plus the crossed laces add to a classic look.

#2 Ladder laces

Are you looking for an elegant way to tie the laces of your Nike Air Max? Then the ladder technique is your go-to! The elegant yet cool way of tying the laces is also used in the military. And that says something about the strength: the ladder technique is known to offer extra support to your feet! But keep in mind that once you’ve laddered up the laces, it’s hard to loosen or tighten them. We recommend that you use a slightly longer lace since you’ll loose length due to the graceful and cool lacing technique.

#3 Shoe shop laces

We bet you’re already familiar with the shoe shop lacing technique! Most shoes that come straight from the manufacturer are laced according to the ‘shoe shop method’. Shoe shops often relace the show models, but the shoes kept in the warehouse usually have the original lacing technique. The shoe shop lacing technique gives your Air Max enough support and is easy to tighten or loosen.

#4 Checkerboard laces

Do you want to play a good game of draughts with your favourite Nike Air Max? Yes, you can! With the checkerboard technique, you tie the laces of your Nike Air Max like a checkerboard. For this method, you need two different laces in contrasting colours. Start by threading the horizontal laces through the eyelets. Then tie the other lace vertically through the horizontal lace. The checkerboard technique transforms your Nike Air Max into a creative-looking slip-on trainer. The downside of the Checkerboard is that it is hard to tighten the laces.

#5 Loop-back laces

The loop-back technique transforms the laces of your Nike Air Max into real eye-catchers. Each side of the lace runs in a loop back to the middle, where they hook into each other. Both sides of the lace remain on the same side of the shoe, but the intertwining makes them still connected. The Loop-Back may not be as strong as the crossed-lacing technique, but they do stand out. Please note that you need a slightly longer lace for this technique.

What length laces do I need for my Nike Air Max?

Nike Air Max stands the test of time, but the laces wear out a lot quicker and need to be replaced sooner. No matter how you tie the laces, all that matters is their length. Choose the right length according to the number of eyelets.

  • 4 eyelets need 690 mm laces
  • 5 eyelets need 910 mm laces
  • 6 or 7 eyelets need 1140 mm laces
  • 8 eyelets need 1370 mm laces
  • 9 or 10 eyelets need 1520 mm laces
  • More than 10 eyelets? Then you need 1830 mm laces