Welcome to Ian's Shoelace Site!

Lacing Shoes

Are all of your shoes, sneakers and boots still laced up the way they were when you bought them? This section presents some of the many fascinating ways of lacing, either for different functions or just for appearances.

Tying Shoelaces

Most people learn how to tie their shoelaces around the age of five. Why then would anyone older than that visit a web site about tying shoelaces? Whether you're a parent, teacher, occupational therapist, academic, knot enthusiast, or just after some self-help, there's something for you.

The "Granny Knot"

Do your shoelace bows sit vertically instead of across the shoe? Do your shoelaces always come undone? If so, you're probably tying an un-balanced "Granny Knot", and one simple change to your technique will result in a balanced knot that sits straight and stays secure.

Shoelace Lengths

The rhetorical question: "How long is a piece of string?" is a serious question when it comes to shoelaces. Too long and the ends can drag or get stepped on. Too short and it can be difficult to tie a knot. This section should help you work out the ideal shoelace length.

Tips of Shoelaces = Aglets

Many people search for shoelace "tips" or "ends" because they want to know the name of the plastic or metal bits at the ends of shoelaces. They're called "Aglets", and you can find out more about them here, including how to repair or replace them.

Shoelace Tips, Hints & Ideas

This section contains all sorts of tips, hints and ideas about shoelaces. There's tips for teaching children, tips for sportspeople, tips for the elderly and disabled, plus general tips for everyone.

Shoelace Marketplace

Looking to buy shoelaces or related items? Ian's Shoelace Site doesn't yet have a web store, but in the marketplace you'll find selected merchants of shoelaces, accessories, gadgets, books (including my own book), as well as my iPhone app, "Ian's Laces".

Charity and Awareness Shoelaces

Ever noticed a group of people wearing the same color shoelaces? They're most likely part of a charity fundraiser or awareness campaign. Find out what the different colors represent, or better still, show your support by buying some shoelaces.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

You'll find the answers to Frequently Asked Questions here, mainly for the benefit of people typing those questions into search engines. It's also worth looking here before you send me a question for which I've already posted an answer.

Shoelace News Stories

Shoelaces are common, useful items. Here's some links to recent news stories, where you'll discover some of the good and bad, happy and sad events either caused by or involving shoelaces.

Shoelace & Knotting Links

Here's some links to other shoelace and knot related web sites. Providing links is good "Netiquette", enabling the Internet to effectively become its own index.

Updated Shoelace News

14-Dec-2015 - Added news story of an assult suspect using what was at hand (or, more accurately, at feet) to try to escape.

Updated Shoelace News

02-Dec-2015 - Added news story of a police officer's act of kindness to a boy with an untied shoelace.

Added Power Laces video

21-Oct-2015 - In the absence of "Power Laces" (as seen in a movie on this "future" date), I show that existing low-tech shoelaces can at least be tied quickly with my "Ian Knot" or with magnetic "Zubits".

Updated Charity and Awareness Shoelaces

02-Sep-2015 - Added "Lace Up For Bones" campaign, which uses orange shoelaces to raise funds for and bring awareness to the issue of osteoporosis.

Updated Shoelace News

05-Jul-2015 - Added news story of an expensive legal dispute that started when a police officer purchased a 99p pair of shoelaces while on duty.