How to Lace Nike Dunks: 5 Styles Plus Fixes for Heel Slip & Tight Toes

JD Sports Expert IYKYK Perspective: Quick answer: The five most popular ways to lace Nike Dunks are loose (no-tie), straight bar, diamond (lattice), the "X" top-off, and double lace. For an easy everyday look, go loose. For a clean look, use straight bar. Lacing can also fix fit: if your heel slips, use the top eyelets to make a "heel lock" (also called a runner's loop). If the toe feels tight, loosen or skip the bottom eyelets. Most Dunk Lows use laces about 54 inches long; Dunk Highs need longer laces, around 63 inches.

• Question: "When you customize your Dunks, do you prefer loose laces with the tips hanging, or the clean look of straight bar lacing?"

• Answer: "It depends on the pair. Loose lacing is the easy everyday choice, and it's comfy because nothing presses on the top of your foot. Straight bar looks sharp on colorways with lots of contrast. Just make sure the shoe still holds your heel. If your foot slides around with loose laces, tighten the top two eyelets."

• Question: "Does double lacing make the shoe feel too tight over the top of my foot?"

• Answer: "It can. Two laces add bulk over the top of your foot, so keep them a little looser than usual. If you have a high instep (a tall top of the foot), try double lacing only on the lower eyelets and switch to a single lace near the top."

• Lace length: Most Dunk Lows use flat laces about 54 inches (137 cm) long. Dunk Highs need longer laces, around 63 inches (160 cm). Get slightly longer laces if you want the loose look with the tips hanging.

This is the most popular look right now. It makes your Dunks look like slip-ons and keeps the tongue from bunching under a tight knot.

• How to do it: Lace the shoe in the normal criss-cross pattern but leave some slack. At the second-to-last eyelet, thread the lace from the outside in and let the tips hang loose.
• Fit note: This style feels roomy across the top of your foot, which helps if you have wide feet or a high instep. Make sure your heel still feels secure.

Straight bar lacing gets rid of the crossing laces and leaves clean, flat lines across the shoe. It looks great on Dunks with white midsoles and bright uppers.

• Comfort bonus: With no "X" crossing on top, there's less pressure on the top of your foot. That can help if you have high arches.
• How to do it: One end of the lace runs up the inside of the shoe (hidden), while the other end crosses straight over to make each bar.

For sneakerheads who want to show off, diamond lacing creates a woven pattern across the tongue. It's the hardest style on this list.

• How to do it: Skip an eyelet as you go up, then loop back down into the empty hole, weaving over and under the laces already in place.
• JD pro tip: This works best on SB Dunks. Their thick, padded tongue gives the pattern a base to sit on so it stays flat and visible.

If you love the original 1980s look of the Dunk and Air Jordan 1, a big "X" at the top is a subtle throwback.

• How to do it: Lace normally until the last two eyelets on each side. Run each lace up into the top eyelet on the same side, then cross them over to make a big "X" across the top of the tongue.
• JD pro tip: This adds a little extra hold at the heel, which helps in newer, stiffer leather Dunks.

Swapping laces is a big trend, and many fans use two different colored laces in one shoe, like one black and one white.

• How to do it: Thread both laces through the bottom eyelets and weave them up together for a braided, candy-cane look. It's an easy way to make a common colorway like the "Panda" look custom.

Lacing isn't just for looks. The right pattern can fix the most common Dunk fit problems:

• Heel slip: Use a heel lock (also called a runner's loop). Make a small loop on each side using the top eyelet, cross each lace through the opposite loop, and pull down. This pulls your heel back into the heel cup.
• Tight toe box: Leave the bottom one or two eyelets loose, or skip them. This gives your toes more room to spread.
• Pressure on top of the foot: Use straight bar lacing or skip the eyelet right over the sore spot. This is called "window" lacing.
• Narrow feet or loose midfoot: Lace tighter through the middle eyelets and use the outer eyelets near the top if your pair has them.
• Still not right? Lacing helps with small fit issues. If your toes hit the front or your heel slips a lot, you likely need a different size.

• How long are Nike Dunk Low laces? Most Dunk Lows use laces about 54 inches long. Dunk Highs need around 63 inches.
• How do you lace Dunks to stop heel slip? Use a heel lock through the top eyelets. It pulls your heel back and holds it in place.
• How do you lace Dunks loose without them falling off? Keep the laces relaxed through the middle, but snug up the top two eyelets so your heel stays put.
• What's the best way to lace Dunks for wide feet? Loose or straight bar lacing, with the bottom eyelets left loose. If they're still tight, go up a half size.

• For everyday wear: Go loose or use the "X" top-off.
• For a standout look: Try straight bar, diamond, or double lacing.
• For fit problems: Use a heel lock for heel slip, and loosen the bottom eyelets for tight toes.
• Ready to shop? Find a fresh pair to lace up with Nike Dunks at JD Sports.

• Nike Product Information: Details on Dunk Low and Dunk High construction and lace setup.
• Lacing Guides: Common lacing methods, including heel lock and window lacing, used to fix fit issues.
• JD Sports Fit Feedback: Sizing and comfort feedback from JD Sports store teams across North America.