Shoelaces come in flat and round varieties, with round laces being stiffer and more durable. They are often used in dress shoes, sneakers, and work boots. There are many ways to tie round shoelaces, with a minimalist style being popular for most activities.
A shoelace is a length of string or rope designed to attach fabric or a shoe to a foot, and modern shoelaces are usually a weave with stiffened or covered tips called aglets. Shoelaces come in a variety of shapes, colors, and widths, but they can easily be divided into two groups: flat and round. Round laces are three-dimensional tubular weaves. Some round laces are woven around a firm core, limiting their elasticity but increasing their durability and strength. Although still capable of compressing, round laces tend to be stiffer, so they retain their shape longer and are easy to untie when tied.
The choice between round and flat shoelaces is largely determined by historical preference and style. Dress shoes, all-terrain sneakers, and work boots are often sold with round laces. Round laces tend to be stiffer, allowing for a tight and supportive lace, and they fit easily into J-hooks, the eyelets at the top of a boot. When replacing the laces on a pair of boots, the same style of lace should be used. This will prevent any difficulty getting through grommets or J-hooks.
There are many ways to tie round shoelaces. A minimalist style with a low profile like that seen in military boots will provide a comfortable fit for most activities. The aglets should be inserted through the first eyelets, forming a straight line across the base of the tongue on the inside of the shoe. The shoelace should be centered by holding both aglets in the same hand and pulling the shoe toward the center of the length. The left aglet should be threaded into the next hole to the left.
This can be repeated with the right aglet and the right eyelet, which forms a straight bar on each side of the tongue. The ends of the lacing should cross, with each end pointing up through the next set of aglets on the opposite side; for example, the left end will cross over to the right and emerge from the grommet on the right side. The shoelace should be pulled down through the next set of eyelets, making a second row of straight lines parallel to the tongue. The laces should then be crossed and the process repeated until you reach the top of the shoe.
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