Lacing up your Nike Dunks to achieve that sleek look seen in official images can be a challenge, especially with a fresh pair. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with step-by-step guidance.
Our guide walks through lacing up some of Nike’s best sneakers since their debut in 1985. Plus, we've included top tips for a secure, comfortable fit, whether for basketball or everyday wear, across all styles—Lows, Mids, Highs, or even the iconic SB line.
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We understand that traditional lacing techniques might not fit everyone's style, so we've included a few alternative methods to suit all preferences too. So, grab your best Nike Dunks and follow our top tips below.
How to lace Dunks
The following technique is the approach we'd recommend if you want to achieve a look similar to how Nike presents its Dunks, some of the best basketball shoes of all time, in its official images.
While our focus will be on lacing the Low version, rest assured that this technique can be applied to both the high-top and mid-top variations. The process remains the same, extending the lacing all the way up to the top. With that in mind, let's delve into the technique...
Step 1: Thread one end of your shoelace through the first eyelet, then do the same on the opposite side before pulling them through to make sure each side is equal in length.
Step 2: Cross the two ends of your shoelace and thread through the second row of eyelets on opposing sides from underneath.
Step 3: Repeat the second step as you work your way up the eyelets.
Top Tip: We'd recommend making sure your laces remain flat and taut as you go to avoid an uneven and loose finish.
![Nike Dunks in hand with white laces untied.](https://gdm-assets.b-cdn.net/images/ncavvykf/realsport-production/41b35b3133a50899abed9d65fe5f5af04fe2adca-1768x1080.jpg?w=1473&h=900&auto=format)
Step 4: Around the fifth or sixth row of eyelets you can either decide to thread your shoelace through the tongue tabs or cross them over the top. We'd recommend threading through for the most secure fit.
Step 5: You then also need to decide whether you want to thread your shoelace through every eyelet or stop one before the top. The latter technique is a popular approach as it leaves you with a good amount of shoelace left to tie a knot.
Step 6: Repeat steps one to five with your second sneaker and your Dunks should be ready for you to put on and tie up.
What laces do you need?
To adequately cover an average of seven eyelets and ensure sufficient length for tying a knot, it's advisable to pick shoelaces measuring around 140cm or approximately 55". This length is also the standard size for stock shoelaces. Subsequently, you are faced with the choice of opting for either flat or rounded laces.
![Someone in blue trousers and white and blue tie-dye socks wearing blue canvas and white leather Nike Dunk Lows.](https://gdm-assets.b-cdn.net/images/ncavvykf/realsport-production/d5389eded49c1fa0cc10778742bdd6c55c406f28-1024x616.jpg?w=1024&h=616&auto=format)
Typically speaking, Nike Dunks, like these popular "Industrial Blue" Lows, come with flat laces as standard. However, that doesn't mean round, or even oval laces are out of the question. For instance, you can pick up white oval laces, like these from DELELE, to achieve a look similar to the one seen from the "Infrared" Dunks.
The color is down to you as well. You can either opt to match your laces to your sneakers, or mismatch them entirely for a more unique and standout look.
Alternative ways to lace Dunks
While our step-by-step guide details one of the most common ways of lacing a pair of Nike Dunks, it isn't the only method out there. We've detailed a few alternative techniques below.
Straight bars
The straight bar method is perhaps the next most common lacing technique after the aforementioned method. It's one we've also covered before in our guide to lacing Air Force 1s, so head on over there for more information.
To start, create a straight bar between the first eyelets, then take the left aglet and feed it through the third eyelet up on the right from underneath before threading it through the opposite eyelet over the top to create a bar across the tongue.
Do the same with the right aglet, but instead of the third row of eyelets, feed your shoelace through the second eyelets, leaving three neat straight bars ready for you to repeat the previous steps until you reach the top.
Un-tied And loose
![A pair of orange and light blue Nike SB Dunks featuring cream midsoles and loosely tied orange laces.](https://gdm-assets.b-cdn.net/images/ncavvykf/realsport-production/dcd3642b418e213dbf24bf916b49b8fbd43df4c8-1920x1080.jpg?w=1600&h=900&auto=format)
Keeping your Dunks loose and untied is also another highly popular lacing technique. Fortunately, the method remains the same as our first technique. The only difference is once you've reached the top, you'll want to go back and loosen each crossover section, leaving a couple of inches of shoelace spare on either side.
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That's it! Hopefully, you can now lace your sneakers with ease so you're ready to go out. Stay tuned for more guides like this one too if you're a sneakerhead like us.
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