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Excess Shoelace Length
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Many shoes nowadays come with shoelaces that are excessively long. Here's some theories about this phenomenon, as
well as some practical solutions as to what to do about it.
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Why The Excess Length?
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The most likely reason for the excessive shoelace length nowadays is that manufacturers select from a smaller
range of "stock lengths" rather than tailoring the length to each new shoe style.
For example, suppose a new sneaker design requires an ideal shoelace length of 47 inches. The manufacturers
could supply either:
- Tailored length 47 inch laces (which are costly to produce);
- Stock length 45 inch laces (which may be slightly short);
- Stock length 54 inch laces (the next size longer).
It's also possible that manufacturers choose just one stock shoelace length to suit any new shoe model, even though
each model comes in several fitting sizes. If the length was calculated to suit the largest fitting size for that
model (eg. size 16), then everyone, regardless of their fitting size, would receive laces suited to that
largest shoe size.
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What To Do About It
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Shoelaces that are way too long can be a real nuisance. They require a lot of additional effort each time the
laces are tied in order to take up all of the excess length so that the ends don't drag on the ground or get
underfoot. Here's several possible solutions:
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Shorten the Ends
My own preferred method whenever I buy new shoes is to shorten the ends, then replace the tips (which are called
Aglets). You'll find several methods of replacing aglets in my
Aglet Repair section. |
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Cut & Join with a Reef Knot
The excess length can instead be cut from the middle of the shoelace, then the two halves tied together with a
joining knot such as a
Reef Knot. Using two different colored laces creates a bi-colored lace suitable for
Half & Half Lacing. |
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Use a Different Lacing Method
One easy (and free!) alternative is to use a different lacing method that consumes more shoelace. For example,
Ladder Lacing effectively "shortens" lace ends by about 25%. |
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Use a Bulkier Shoelace Knot
Another alternative is to use a bulkier shoelace knot that consumes more shoelace, such as the
Double Knot or the
Double Ian Knot. Note that this is less effective at shortening, plus it makes the knots more difficult to untie. |
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Buy New Shoelaces
Replacing the shoelaces with the correct length is the best alternative. While you're at it, choose a different
material, color or pattern to better suit your individual preference. |
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Related Links
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Accurate Lengths
Determining accurate shoelace lengths from shoe measurements.
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Length Calculator
Web-based calculator to accurately compute shoelace lengths.
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Sponsored Links
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This page last updated: 30-Dec-2011. Copyright © 2010-2011 by
Ian W. Fieggen. All rights reserved.
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