How to Lace Low-Top Jordans: 4 Styles and When to Use Each

When you cop a fresh pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 Lows, most of us default to a tight little butterfly bow right in the middle of the tongue — exactly like primary school. The blunt truth: that kills the entire Hypebeast aesthetic of the shoe!

Lacing isn't just about keeping your shoes on — it's how the wearer expresses street style. A naturally loose, draping lace style (Loose Lace) makes the toe box look wider and more solid, and lets the tongue stand up proud. Here are the three cleanest ways to lace Jordan 1 Lows for 2026.

Style 1: The Legendary Loose Lace

The default style Travis Scott and American rappers wear. The laces are threaded looser for a relaxed feel; the looseness should be just enough that the shoe still holds your foot securely. How to:

1. Thread both ends across the first eyelet row (outside in). Even out the lace lengths.
2. Cross in zigzag X patterns, feeding outside-in through each next eyelet. (The key move: keep it LOOSE! Push two fingers into the padded tongue and push the puffed X segments toward the edges instead of cinching everything tight.)
3. Lace up to the top eyelets of the tongue.
4. Leave 3–5 cm of lace tails curving loosely out to each side. DO NOT tie a bow. Let them hang naturally. (Lows slip on and off easily at the heel anyway — they won't fall off, so don't overtighten.)

Style 2: The Perfect Hidden Lace (Hidden Laces)

For minimalists who want a completely clean upper with zero dangling ends. How to:

1. Use the same X-cross or straight-bar lacing as Style 1, but pull slightly TIGHTER so the shoe hugs your foot and won't slip off while walking.
2. At the top eyelet, thread the lace from the outside straight down through the inner lining.
3. Tuck the long leftover end under the insole along the footbed. From the outside, the shoe looks totally clean — no excess lace anywhere.

Style 3: Window Lacing

Best for wide, thick feet that get that crushing pain across the instep in Jordans. This pattern leaves an open gap in the middle to release pressure and let the padding breathe. How to:

1. Start threading at the top first eyelet from inside out (thread upward).
2. When you reach eyelets 3 and 4 (right at the middle of the instep — the tight spot), stop crossing X patterns to the opposite side. Instead, thread the lace straight up from eyelet 3 to eyelet 4 on the SAME side!
3. The laces on both sides now run parallel instead of crossing, forming an open rectangular "window" (like an arched window). The tongue shows one big, proud, clean panel — it looks great!
4. Continue X-crossing to the top, then tie a hidden knot or tuck the ends as you like.

The Golden Tip for Staying Clean: Whichever style you lace, the soul of the shoe is a crisp white set of laces. If your laces are stained muddy-brown, dull black, soggy, or moldy... no lacing style will save them — toss that set and buy a replacement.

👉 And if the shoes AND laces are both past saving, send the whole pair to Extrim Spa to bring the beauty back: /en/services