You just dropped several hundred dollars on a pair of Bred Reimagineds or Military Blues. You open the box, the smell of fresh factory glue hits you, and then you see them—the laces are a mess. They’re tight, factory-knotted, and make the shoe look like a brick. Honestly, the way you lace your J's is just as important as the colorway itself. If you get it wrong, the tongue bunched up or the wings look distorted. Getting that perfect "loose but not sloppy" look is basically an art form.
The Air Jordan 4 is a chunky silhouette. It was designed by Tinker Hatfield in 1989 with performance in mind, which is why those plastic "wings" exist—to give athletes more lockdown options. But in 2026, we aren't exactly hitting the hardwood in these. We’re wearing them to the mall or out to dinner. You want comfort. You want that effortless aesthetic.
The Loose Lace Method: Why Everyone Does It
Most sneakerheads swear by the loose lace. It’s the standard. If you see someone like Travis Scott or a high-end collector wearing 4s, they aren’t tied in a tight bow. The goal is to have the laces hang naturally without the shoe falling off your foot.
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Start by unlacing the entire shoe. This is annoying, I know. But you can't fix a bad lace job by just pulling on the strings. Start at the bottom eyelets and make sure the lace is flat. Twisted laces are the ultimate amateur move. When you reach the mid-section where the plastic mesh starts, don't pull tight. Keep it relaxed.
When you get to the "wings"—those triangular plastic pieces—this is where people usually mess up. Most people feed the lace from the inside out through the bottom hole of the wing. Then, cross over to the next eyelet on the tongue. By the time you reach the top, you should have about 3 or 4 inches of lace left on each side. Don't tie them. Just let them dangle. It sounds risky, but the Jordan 4 has enough padding in the heel and tongue to stay on your foot if you sized it correctly.
Dealing With the Wing Eyelets
The wings have multiple holes for a reason. In the late 80s, this was "customized lockdown." Today, it's just a style choice. If you have a narrower foot, use the inner holes. If you want that wide, aggressive stance that the Jordan 4 is famous for, use the outer holes. This pulls the wings slightly away from the shoe and gives it that iconic "flared" look.
How to Lace Jordan 4 for Maximum Comfort
Let's be real: Jordan 4s aren't the most comfortable shoes in the world. They’re heavy. The "pinky toe killer" reputation is real, especially on older retros. If you lace them too tight, you’re just asking for blisters.
To help with comfort, try the "over-under" technique. Instead of always crossing the laces over the top of the eyelets, feed them from underneath. This reduces the pressure on the top of your foot. Also, skip the very last eyelet at the top. If you lace them all the way to the summit, the tongue will be pressed against your shin. It’s uncomfortable and looks a bit too "ready for a 1990s playoff game."
Leave the top two holes empty. This allows the tongue to sit forward. It’s a more relaxed vibe. Plus, it lets that "Flight" script on the tongue really pop. If you're wearing pants, the hem can sit right behind the tongue, which is the "correct" way to style them according to most enthusiasts on forums like Niketalk or various sneaker subreddits.
The Knotless Look
Some people hate dangling laces. They think it looks unfinished or they’re afraid of tripping. I get it. If you want a clean look without a visible bow, you can do the "hide-the-knot" trick.
- Lace the shoes normally until you reach the second-to-last eyelet.
- Instead of crossing over, feed the lace through the top eyelet on the same side, going from outside to inside.
- This creates a loop.
- Tie the laces in a small knot behind the tongue.
It stays secure. No dangling strings. The silhouette stays sharp. It’s basically the "business casual" version of lacing a Jordan.
Common Mistakes That Kill the Aesthetic
Stop lacing them so tight that the leather panels overlap. It hurts to look at. The Jordan 4 is meant to be a wide shoe. When you crank the laces down, you ruin the lines of Hatfield’s design. The plastic cage on the side starts to warp and eventually, it can even crack over time if the tension is weird.
Another thing? The "Deadstock Knot." You know, the little factory loop they come with in the box? Some people try to keep that. Don't. It looks like you just bought them and don't know how to wear them. Take the extra five minutes to relace them.
Flat Laces vs. Rope Laces
Stick to the flats. Some people try to put rope laces in 4s to make them look like Yeezys or something. It doesn't work. The eyelets and the wings are designed specifically for flat cotton laces. If you use rope laces, they tend to slide around and won't stay in place unless you tie a double knot, which again, ruins the look.
If you want to swap laces, look for high-quality replacements from brands like Fully Laced or Slickies. Make sure the width is correct. A standard Jordan 4 lace is usually 63 or 72 inches depending on how much "dangle" you want. If you're going for the untied look, 63 inches is usually plenty.
The "Hanging" Wing Look
You might have seen pictures of the Union LA x Jordan 4 collaborations. Those came with the tongues folded down, but they also popularized a different way of handling the wings. Instead of lacing through the wings to pull them tight to the shoe, some people leave the wings completely unlaced.
They just lace the eyelets on the actual leather of the shoe and let the plastic wings flop around. Personally, I think this only works on certain colorways, like the Off-White "Sail" or the Union pairs. On a classic "Fire Red," it can look a bit messy. But hey, style is subjective.
Keeping the Tongue Straight
The biggest struggle with Jordan 4s is the shifting tongue. You walk half a block and suddenly the tongue is sliding off to the left. To fix this, make sure you are using the lace loop in the center of the tongue.
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When you cross your laces at the midpoint, feed one of them through that vertical slit on the tongue. This anchors it. If you skip this, you’ll be reaching down to adjust your shoes every ten minutes. It’s a small detail, but it makes a massive difference in how the shoes feel after a few hours of wear.
How to Lace Jordan 4 for Different Pant Styles
How you lace depends on what you're wearing.
If you're wearing skinny jeans (though they’re a bit out of style in 2026), you need to lace them tighter to avoid the "Mickey Mouse" shoe effect where your feet look massive.
If you're wearing baggy cargos or "stacked" denim, go for the loose, untied look. Let the laces hang. The bulkier the pant, the more you can get away with a wide, loose lace job. The hem of the pants should ideally sit right at the top of the heel tab. Speaking of the heel tab—never tuck your laces behind it. It’s uncomfortable and it pushes the tab into your Achilles.
Maintaining the Lace Quality
White laces on Jordan 4s get dirty fast, especially where they rub against the plastic wings or the metal-style eyelets on some versions. If they get grey marks, don't just throw them in the wash. That can fray the tips (the aglets).
Remove them, soak them in warm water with a bit of Jason Markk or even just dish soap, and let them air dry. When you put them back in, use a bit of rubbing alcohol on the plastic eyelets first. This removes any factory residue that might be staining the laces.
Final Thoughts on Personal Preference
There isn't one "correct" way, but there are definitely "wrong" ways. If the shoe looks suffocated, you've gone too tight. If you're stepping on your laces every three steps, they're too loose.
Find that middle ground. The Jordan 4 is a masterpiece of sneaker design. The grid mesh, the visible air unit, and those wings all work together. Your lacing should complement those features, not distract from them.
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Next Steps for Your Fresh Pair:
- Unlace completely. Start from scratch to ensure there are no twists in the ribbon.
- Choose your wing hole. Use the outer holes for a wider look or the inner ones for a sleeker profile.
- Check the length. Ensure both sides are even before you get to the top.
- Anchor the tongue. Use the center loop to prevent the tongue from sliding.
- Decide on the finish. Go for the "loose hang" or the "hidden knot" based on your pants style.
- Walk around the house. Test the tension to make sure your heel isn't slipping out.
Lacing your sneakers is the final step in making them yours. It takes a shoe that thousands of other people own and gives it your specific flavor. Take your time with it.