Eyelets for bags, shoes and belts have to withstand friction, tension and daily wear while still looking good on leather, faux leather and heavy fabrics. The right choice comes down to three things: how big the hole needs to be, how thick the material is and what style you're after. In this article we look at each use separately and give concrete size and type recommendations.
Eyelets for shoes and sneakers
On footwear, eyelets protect lace holes from tearing and make lacing smoother.
- Size: for thin laces (up to 3 mm) use No.17 with a 3.6 mm hole; for standard sneaker laces, No.2 (4.7 mm hole) or No.3 (5 mm hole).
- Type: flat eyelets are more discreet and don't press on the foot from inside, while domed eyelets give a bolder, classic look on boots.
- Spacing: typically 12–18 mm between holes, depending on the design.
CAP RIVER Luxury Metal Rivets – 12.5 mm Gun Metal
Metal eyelets PE 0001 dome
Decorative rivets 2630 – 7 mm antique nickelEyelets for belts
A belt needs eyelets for the buckle prong to pass through. The hole should be slightly larger than the prong so the belt fastens easily.
- For classic 3–4 cm leather belts, No.3 and No.4 work well.
- For wide belts or double-prong belts, try the PE 0003 oval eyelets, such as No.1o (11 x 6 mm), which follow the shape of an elongated hole.
- Space them 2–2.5 cm apart, usually five per belt.
- Pick a colour that matches the buckle – gunmetal, gold, silver or black oxide.
Place the first eyelet at the point that matches the average waist measurement and the rest symmetrically on either side, so the belt can be tightened or loosened in equal steps. When making a belt to order, measure the wearer with the belt fastened and mark the middle hole before punching the others.
Eyelets for bags and backpacks
On bags, eyelets are both functional and decorative. They're used for drawstring closures, threading handles through, and attaching clips and rings.
| Use | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Drawcord (4–5 mm) | No.4 – 6 mm hole |
| Thick cord (6–7 mm) | No.5 – 7.9 mm hole |
| Rope handle threaded through | No.24–No.26 – 9.35–11.5 mm hole |
| Large decorative opening | No.28–No.31 or oval No.3o–No.4o |
If a metal ring from our accessories range will pass through the eyelet, check the thickness of its wire and choose an eyelet with a hole at least 1 mm larger.
Eyelets for leather and heavy materials
Leather and thick canvas need extra care, because the eyelet has to grip every layer:
- Measure the thickness. The barrel should stick out about 2–3 mm beyond the material at the back so it can roll over properly.
- Use a washer. Eyelets with washers spread the pressure and won't cut into leather.
- Punch precisely. The hole should match the outside of the barrel – in leather, an oversized hole means a loose eyelet.
- Reinforce thin leather. For soft leather under 1 mm, add a leather patch or strong interfacing on the inside.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard eyelet size for sneakers?
Most sneakers use eyelets with a hole of about 4.5–5 mm, which corresponds to No.2 or No.3. They let both flat and round laces pass freely.
Can I put eyelets on a faux leather belt?
Yes, but use eyelets with washers and punch carefully, as faux leather tears more easily than real leather. Reinforcing it from the inside greatly extends the life of the belt.
Eyelets or rivets for bag handles?
Rivets are used to fix a handle to the body of a bag. Use eyelets when the handle or rope needs to pass through a hole.
Choose from four colours and many sizes in our eyelets collection, and reinforce handles with our rivets.
