Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot

Also known as the "Double Slip Knot", this is a secure shoelace knot with a simple, symmetrical method of tying: Cross two loops and pass them both through the "hole" in the middle. This is a shoelace knot that won't come undone on its own! Great for serious sports or for securing slippery laces.

Years after creating this knot, I found out that my new knot was not new and that I had simply re-invented an existing knot. See my Technical Info page for more details.

Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot diagram 1

Step 1:

Tie a Left-over-Right Starting Knot as shown, then make both ends into "loops" by simply doubling them back onto themselves. People often refer to these as "Bunny Ears".

Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot diagram 2

Step 2:

Cross the two loops over each other so that the right (blue) loop ends up in front and the left (yellow) loop ends up behind. The yellow loop is now the right loop.

Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot diagram 3

Step 3:

Begin to wrap the right (yellow) loop around the left (blue) loop to end up in front.

Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot diagram 4

Step 4:

At the same time, begin to wrap the left (blue) loop around the back. You will end up with the ends of both loops on opposite sides of the "hole" in the middle.

Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot diagram 5

Step 5:

Feed both ends of the loops through the hole in the middle. The right (yellow) loop goes out the back and the left (blue) loop comes out the front.

Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot diagram 6

Step 6:

Now, simply pull the loops to tighten the knot. The whole twisted mess of the previous drawing will rearrange itself into a neat finished knot. Trust me, it works!

Finished Knot

Finished Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot picture

The finished knot should be a tight, closed knot with a symmetrical, double wrap around the middle, as compared to the single wrap of either my Ian Knot or any Standard Shoelace Knot.

NOTE: If your finished knot looks uneven or twisted, it may easily be "worked" into a neat result as follows: Pull on the loose ends slightly as though untying the laces; this will bring the outer wraps of the knot together. Then, pull on the loops once again to re-tighten the knot; this will neaten up the inner parts.

How Much More Secure?

My own testing shows that the Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot needs almost twice the tension to pull it undone than either the Ian Knot or any Standard Shoelace Knot. See my Technical Info page for more details.

This extra security is fast becoming indispensable as more and more shoes nowadays are sold with round, slippery laces. It's also great for people who are very active on their feet, such as when playing serious sports, mountain climbing or even dancing, as well as for yachties whose boat shoes are constantly getting wet. See my Testimonials page to read some of the varied benefits that others have discovered.

NOTE: For normal activities, the Ian Knot or other standard knots should be quite secure. I believe that many people seek more secure knots because they are, without realizing, tying their shoelaces with an un-balanced "Granny Knot". Please see my Granny Knot page that discusses this in detail.

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