The Best Ways to Lace Up Nike Air Max 95s

Factory Lacing

Push each end of the lace up through the bottom tabs. Thread the shoelace through the center tab at the bottom of your shoe and pull the lace taut so it’s the same length on both sides. Then, push the left lace up through the bottom left tab. Grab the right lace and thread it up through the bottom right tab. Nike Air Max 95s have fabric tabs that you thread the laces through in place of the traditional metal eyelets. However, the fabric tabs work the same as the eyelets.

Thread the left lace through the tongue slit and the tab diagonal to it. Grab the left side of the lace and push it through the bottom-most slit on the shoe’s tongue. Then, push the lace up through the tab above and diagonal to it on the right side of the shoe.

Pull the right lace through the tongue slit and the tab diagonal to it. Take the right side of the shoelace and pull it through the same slit on the tongue that you threaded the left lace through. Then, thread the lace up through the tab above and diagonal to it on the left side of the shoe. Take a moment to pull the laces taut and adjust them so they lay flat and aren’t twisted together.

Keep crisscrossing the laces until you thread the last tab. Alternate threading the left and right sides of the laces through the slits in the tongue. Then, push the laces up through the tabs above them on the opposite side of the shoe. Just work carefully and slowly so the laces don’t get twisted. Note: There are no tongue slits for the 3 tabs at the top of the shoe. Simply thread the laces up through the tabs above and diagonal to them.

Tie the laces into a deadstock knot. For the true factory lacing look, pull both laces taut and wrap them in a loop around your index and middle fingers. Then, thread the laces up through the loop from underneath. Simply pull on the laces to tighten the knot. Feel free to tie your laces in a different way, if you prefer. For instance, tie them in a knot behind the tongue and tuck them out of sight. Or, tie a traditional bunny ears knot.

Loose Lacing

Thread the laces through the bottom tabs. Pull the shoelace through the center tab at the bottom of the shoe. Then, adjust the laces so they’re the same length on both sides. Take the left side of the lace and push it up through the bottom left tab. Then, thread the right lace up through the bottom right tab.

Pull the left lace loosely through the tongue slit and the tab diagonal to it. Hold the left lace and thread it through the first slit in the shoe’s tongue. Then, lightly pull the lace up through the tab above it and on the right side of the shoe. Just don’t pull the lace taut to keep the lacing loose. Tip: Hold your finger under the shoelace as you thread it through the tab. This keeps the lacing loose by preventing you from pulling the lace taut across the tongue.

Push the right lace loosely through the tongue slit and the tab diagonal to it. Take the right lace and pull it through the bottom-most tongue slit. Then, hold your finger under the lace as you thread it up through the tab above it and on the left side of the shoe. If your shoelaces twist together, just take a moment to untangle them and ensure they lay flat.

Repeat the pattern up the shoe, using your finger to keep the laces loose. Alternate threading the left and right laces through the tongue slit and up through the tabs above them on the opposite side of the shoe. To help you keep the laces loose, just place your finger underneath the lace as you pull it across the tongue and through the tab. For an even looser fit, thread the shoelaces through the second to last tab and keep the very top tab unlaced.

Pull at the laces to ensure they’re loose enough for your liking. Hook your fingers between the laces on either side of the shoe. Then, pull the sides outwards. This adds more slack to the laces to ensure they’re super loose. If the laces are too loose, simply pull on the ends of the laces to tighten them.

Tie a knot at each end of the shoelace. After lacing up your shoes, a small bit of lace is likely dangling on either side of your shoe. To keep the laces from coming undone, create a loop near the base of the tab. Then, pull the lace through the loop to tie a knot. This gives your shoes a casual, relaxed look. As an alternative, thread the left lace up through the top-right tab. Then, push the right lace up through the top-left tab. This helps keep the laces in place without having to tie a knot. Feel free to simply tuck the laces under the tongue and inside your shoe, if you prefer.

Chain Loop Lacing

Push the laces through the bottom tabs. Thread the shoelace through the bottom center tab, making sure both sides of the lace are the same length. Then, push the left lace up through the tab above it on the left side. Do the same thing on the right, threading the right lace up through the tab above it on the right side.

Thread the left lace halfway through the tab above it, creating a loop. Take the left lace and push it up through the tab directly above it on the left side. Just don’t pull the lace all the way through. Instead, pull it about halfway through to create a loop between the tabs.

Thread the right lace through the loop. To create the chain lace pattern, take the right lace and pull it through the loop from underneath. Then, bring the right lace back to the right side.

Push the right lace up through the right-side tab above it. Still holding the right lace, thread it through the tab directly above it on the right side. Then, pull the lace taut to ensure it's straight and not twisted. Take a second to straighten out the chain pattern if it gets twisted.

Repeat the chain pattern up the shoe. Take the left lace again and thread it halfway through the tab directly above it, leaving a loop. Then, grab the right lace and thread it up through the loop. Simply push the right lace through the right-side tab directly above it to finish the chain pattern. Feel free to leave the last tab unlaced if you prefer a looser shoe fit. Adjust the tightness or looseness based on your preference. Simply tug on the sides of the shoe to loosen the laces. Or, pull on the ends of the laces to tighten them.

Tuck the laces behind the tongue. For a clean look, simply slide the laces behind the tongue and tuck them inside the shoe. Or, tie them in a knot and tuck it behind the tongue.

Spiral Knot Lacing

Thread each end of the lace up through the bottom tabs. Pull the shoelace through the bottom center tab and ensure both sides of the lace are the same length. Then, thread the left lace up through the bottom left tab. Grab the right lace and pull it up through the bottom right tab.

Cross the laces and thread the left lace under the right. To create the spiral lace, simply tie an overhand knot. Bring the left lace over to the right side of the shoe and cross the right lace over to the left side of the shoe. Then, take the lace in your left hand and bring it over the lace in your right hand. Simply pull it through the loop to create the spiral lace pattern.

Push the right lace up through the tab above it. Grab the right lace and thread it through the tab that’s directly above it on the right side. Then, pull the lace taut and ensure it’s straight.

Thread the left lace up through the tab above it. Now, take the left side of the lace and push it through the tab that’s directly above it on the left side. If the lace gets twisted, simply straighten it out.

Continue the spiral pattern up the entire shoe. Cross the left and right laces to create an “X.” Then, bring the left-hand lace over the right-hand lace and pull it through the loop to make an overhand knot. Simply thread the right lace through the tab above it. Then, push the left lace through the tab above it. Work carefully to ensure the laces don’t get twisted and stay neat and straight. Stop lacing once you get to the second to last tab if you prefer a looser fit. Pull on the sides of the shoe or the ends of the laces to loosen or tighten the lacing and get it to your preference.

Tie the laces in a knot and tuck it behind the tongue. To hide the ends of the laces, tie them into a bow and tuck it behind the shoe’s tongue. Or, simply slide the excess lace inside the shoe. This helps prevent your lacing from coming undone.