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Eyelet

The term eyelet describes the built-in rings typically made of metal or rubber found above the tongue of a shoe alongside the opening. The eyelets are inserted into the upper of a shoe by a machine. They are meant to provide a durable hole in which shoelaces are to be strung through before they are tied. There are typically six to eight eyelets on either side of a shoe's opening. Once the laces have been threaded through the eyelets, they can effectively alter the width of the shoe without tearing the hole. The eyelet reinforces the holes made in the fabric to prevent tearing over time from all the pulling that occurs from daily lacing.

Eyelets normally match the color of the shoe's upper although that is not required. Eyelets can add a bit of color to the shoe or can coordinate with other colors found on the upper. The usage of laces is seen as being casual except when found on men's leather dress shoes. For this reason, eyelets are usually found on athletic shoes, casual shoes, work boots and other shoes specifically designed for certain sports. Using eyelets ensures that the laces can be tied properly to maximize their purpose.