Bar Lacing
Bar lacing is a method of fastening shoes in which the lace runs horizontally across the shoe from one eyelet to the opposite eyelet, creating a series of parallel bars across the instep. In this pattern, the lace passes straight across at each eyelet level, with vertical segments connecting successive rows along the sides of the shoe. This contrasts with cross-lacing, the most common lacing method, where the lace passes diagonally across the shoe’s surface.
Structure and Visual Appearance
The bar lacing pattern produces a distinctive appearance characterized by horizontal lines running perpendicular to the shoe’s length. The lace typically enters one side of the shoe at the bottom eyelets, travels horizontally across to the opposite side, then moves vertically up to the next eyelet level before crossing horizontally again. This creates a ladder-like or striped effect on the shoe’s upper.
Historical and Contemporary Use
Bar lacing has been employed across various shoe types and time periods, though cross-lacing remains the predominant fastening method. The technique has attracted renewed interest in running and athletic shoe communities, where some practitioners advocate for it as an alternative that may offer different pressure distribution across the foot compared to diagonal lacing patterns. However, the extent of any functional advantages remains subject to individual variation in foot anatomy and personal preference.