Surgeon's Shoelace Knot
Also known as the “Tibetan Trekking Knot” or “Sherpa Knot”, this is the most common secure shoelace knot. Make a Standard Shoelace Knot, but before pulling tight, run the loop around and through the middle for a second time.
Step 1:
Begin with a regular Left-over-Right Starting Knot.
Step 2:
Make the right (blue) end into a “loop” by simply doubling it back onto itself.
Step 3:
Take the left (yellow) end and pass it around to the right, going behind the right loop.
Step 4:
Continue the left (yellow) end around the right loop to end up in front.
Step 5:
Start to push the left (yellow) lace into the “hole” that has just been made.
Up to this point, the knot is exactly the same as the Standard Shoelace Knot.
Step 6:
Pull the left (yellow) lace through the “hole” to form a “loop” on the right-hand side. Unlike the “Standard Shoelace Knot”, don't pull it tight just yet!
Step 7:
Wrap the right (yellow) loop around the left (blue) loop for the second time so that it once again ends up in front.
Step 8:
Feed the right (yellow) loop back through the “hole” for the second time. This is the “secret recipe” that makes this knot secure.
Step 9:
Now, simply pull the loops to tighten the knot. The whole twisted mess of the previous drawing will rearrange itself into exactly the same finished knot as my Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot.
Finished Knot
The finished Surgeon's Shoelace Knot should look almost identical to my Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot – a tight, closed knot with a double wrap around the middle, as compared to the single wrap of simpler shoelace knots.
NOTE: Because of the non-symmetrical way of tying this knot, the result may look somewhat different. This depends on how readily the laces “rearrange” themselves during tightening.
Technical Details
Knotting Terminology
Note that what is traditionally known in knotting terminology as a “Surgeon's Knot” is actually based on a Double Starting Knot rather than a double-wrapped finishing bow. Both benefit from the increased friction of the double-wrap, but that friction applies to different parts of the knot:
- In the traditional “Surgeon's Knot”, the extra friction applies to the first stage (the starting knot), which helps keep the sides of a surgical wound from opening up – particularly while the second stage is being tied.
- In this shoelace variation, the extra friction applies to the second stage (the finishing bow), which is exposed to daily forces and thus needs the most assistance.
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.
Visitor Feedback
Over the many other years of life, I had also independently figured out the Surgeon's Knot, to keep my regular shoes tied. I was very pleased to see that you have it as a specifically named knot, for just that purpose. I've also taught that to members of my daughters' sports teams, as it keeps their laces tight during games and all you have to do to untie is pull on both lace ends simultaneously. I think that's pretty much the secret of that knot; it doesn't come undone by pulling just one end, it takes pulling both ends, simultaneously, in opposite directions, to untie it. Quiet genius!!
– Chuk G., NC, USA, May-2020
I discovered the surgeon's knot back in 2005. Will give the “Ian Knot” a try.
I also like the double starter knot. I've found that helps keep the whole thing more secure.
– Mark N., Mar-2020
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Related Links
Flip Book
Animated Flip Book for the Surgeon's Shoelace Knot.
Ian's Secure Knot
Identical knot using a different technique (more symmetrical).
Turquoise Turtle Knot
Identical knot using another different technique.
Standard Knot
Simplified, less secure variation of this knot.
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