Shoelaces

everyday invention · how things work · practical design

String with stiff tips. Shoelaces are made of cord or string, and both ends have hard plastic or metal pieces called aglets that keep them from fraying and make them easier to thread through holes.

Thread through eyelets. Laces pass through a series of holes called eyelets on both sides of the shoe, creating a crisscross pattern that you can tighten or loosen.

Hold your foot in place. When you pull the laces tight and tie them in a bow, they squeeze the shoe around your foot so it stays put and doesn't slip off while you walk or run.

Easy on and off. Loosening the laces makes the shoe open up wide enough for your foot to slide in or out comfortably without damaging the shoe.

The classic bow knot. The most common way to tie shoelaces is with a simple bow, though people can experiment with different lacing patterns for style or comfort.