HOW TO LACE YOUR SNEAKERS!

Another source of frustration for freaks is a shoelace knot that refuses to sit straight. Instead of the loops sitting across the shoe (from left to right), they twist to sit along the shoe (from ankle to toe). This is an almost certain sign that the wearer is tying a slip knot, so the solution will not only make the bow sit straight, it will also help keep the shoelaces securely tied. The real fun of shoelaces is in the lacing method. Although 2 trillion methods are mathematically possible, there are really only a few dozen methods that people use, either for looks or for functionality.
Each has its own advantages and its own disadvantages, such as the ease of tightening or loosening, binding strength, comfort, appearance, wear and tear, speed, even to adjust for shoelaces that are too long or too short.

Next time you step out with some hot sneakers, why not add a touch of individuality by lacing them differently? There's the clean looking ‘Straight Fashion Lacing’, or the more decorative ‘Lattice’, or the popular ‘Checkerboard’, or even the distinctive ‘Ladder Lacing’. Better yet, try one of them using some fat or colourful laces and you'll soon see how many people notice.Speaking of laces that are too long, this is a real problem nowadays. Am I the only one with narrow feet, or the only one who doesn't like my lace ends dragging in the dirt? I've taken to shortening all of my laces to length, sometimes by as much as half a metre! As a result, I've tried all sorts of ways of creating new aglets (the tips on the ends of the laces). My favourite material is heatshrink tubing, which results in aglets very similar to the original manufactured ones.

Now I don't expect anyone to become as fussy with their laces as I am, like shortening them precisely, or ensuring that they cross over in the same direction, making sure they’re not twisted or otherwise ‘untidy’, or tying a perfect symmetrical knot. What I do hope is that this section will leave you with a few practical and creative options for your shoelaces that will allow you to put the ‘finishing touch’ to your sneakers.

:: IAN ‘PROFESSOR SHOELACE’ FIEGGEN