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Laces - Shoelaces

Laces (or shoelaces, shoestrings) as they are referred to within the shoe industry, are woven strings that when looped into eyelets provide closure to the area of the shoe that is open to allow the foot to settle in. Laces are most typically found on casual shoes such as boots and sneakers and were not extremely popular until the 20th century. Before the 20th century, many shoes were slip-on or used buckles, straps and buttons to secure the foot inside the shoe for walking and other locomotive activities. The aglets or plastic sheaths found wrapped around the end of a shoelace ensure easy lacing. Shoelaces come in a variety of colors and can be bought with images or designs embedded on them. Shoelaces can be replaced due to normal wear and tear or to add a new look to an old pair of shoes.
The shoelace itself is secured to the shoe by tying a bow-shaped knot and then untying it to loosen the shoe. Some types of footwear, such as athletic or casual shoes, are dependant on the use of shoelaces because they tighten the width of the upper making the shoe fit snugly around the foot. If an athletic shoe did not use laces, the same effect could not be achieved as easily. The widespread use of shoelaces shows that they are time efficient as the laces can be tied and untied in a matter of seconds.
Shoelaces are made in a variety of shapes such as:

  • Round- this type lace is tightly woven making it less susceptible to snagging.
  • Flat and Wide- this type of lace is easier to tie and typically stays tied longer than round laces.
  • Square- this type of lace is made of leather and is found on boat shoes and some modern style moccasins.

Shoelaces can also be made from a variety of materials such as:

  • Leather
  • Elastic
  • Cotton
  • Jute
  • Hemp
  • Synthetic fibers

Leather laces are obviously very durable but can become easily untied. Leather laces are not typically used for high activity shoes for this reason. Elastic laces allow the shoe to be slipped on and off without undergoing the tying process, making them an excellent choice for children and the elderly. Shoes made for the elderly and children use Velcro for fastening so elastic laces are definitely an alternative. Laces made out of synthetic fibers last longer than any of the other ones mentioned above but will come undone easier due to their slippery texture.