Lace-Up Sneakers

Why Thicker Soles Need Laces

A heavy sole has momentum. On every step it wants to swing away from your heel, and a slip-on has nothing to hold it there except the shape of its collar. Laces pull the upper down onto the instep, so a platform or chunky sole moves as one piece with your foot instead of flapping a beat behind it. That is why platform sneakers are so often lace-ups, and why snugging the middle eyelets fixes a slipping heel more often than going down a size.

• Platform soles. Laces keep the lift attached to you.
• Air cushion heels. A held heel lands squarely on the cushion every step.
• Flat sparkle. A laced dressy sneaker stays snug through a long event.

Lacing for Your Foot Shape

The standard crisscross suits an average foot, and two small changes fix the most common complaints. For a high instep that aches across the top, skip the cross at the sore spot and run each lace straight up its own side to the next eyelet, which leaves a window with nothing pressing down. For a wide forefoot, keep the lowest crossings loose and tighten from the middle up, so the toes can spread while the back of the shoe still grips. A narrow heel that slips wants the opposite pattern: firm at the top eyelets, easy below.

• High instep. Skip one cross over the pressure point.
• Wide forefoot. Loose at the toes, firm from the middle up.
• Narrow heel. Snug top eyelets, relaxed lower ones.

Flat, Platform or Cushioned

Flat lace-ups are the dressiest, made for weddings, parties and anywhere a sparkly sneaker stands in for a heel. Platforms add an inch or two under the whole foot, which rescues wide jeans and long skirts that drag in flats. A cushioned heel is the walker's choice for airports and long days on tile. Faux suede and mesh are dry day uppers, so keep a smooth faux leather pair for the wet forecast.

• Flat. Dressy, light and easy to pack for an event.
• Platform. Height and presence without a heel to balance on.
• Cushioned. Long walks and longer days on hard floors.

Set Them Up Before the First Wear

Lace a new pair with the socks you will wear most, stand up, then tighten from the toe toward the ankle one crossing at a time. Tie them, walk across the room and adjust once. After that, loosen just enough to slide your foot in and out, and the fit stays where you set it. For extra height every lifted sole sits on the platform sneakers page, and the shine lives on metallic sneakers.