OT? - Keeping shoe laces done up

Sep 11, 2004 34 Replies

When shoe laces are new, they stay done up - probably because they are slightly rough.



After a while, they start coming undone at inconvenient times - maybe because they have become smoother.



Does anyone have a magic solution (other than buying new laces!) for restoring them to 'as new' condition?


I bought a new pair recently and have constant trouble keeping them tied unless I double knot them and then have the problem of undoing them...They are the flat ,sort of woven, kind...I had round ones before and never had this problem so you might like to try them ... Stuart

Well, the ones I'm currently having trouble with are round! They came with a pair of stout walking shoes which I bought earlier this year - and were fine for a time but have now started undoing themselves!

Try lightly rubbing them with sand paper

Coat them in PVA before you do them up. I'm sure you'll never have a problem with them coming undone again.

Just been watching ' Trade Secrets ' on BBC2. Todays was cobblers secrets and they said if your shoe laces keep comming undone, take some black shoe polish on a cloth and rub the laces with it. I assume brown shoe polish for brown laces.

Dave

You're probably right - but I don't want to wear the shoes in bed!

I was rather hoping the someone may have found a proven solution - rather than simply speculating!

Synthetic shoe laces untie because the fibres are smooth-surfaced. Old shoe laces were a mix of linen (for strength), cotton (for bulk) and a little of wool fibres. As wool is an animal product, there are small scales on the surface of each fibre that make them rough and stop sliding.

I had this trouble for years, I have cured it permanently, I now wear slip on shoes.

Bryan

So where can I get *old* laces?

Make your own.

Mary

Use a reef knot.

Left lace over right and under then form two bows and this time it is right bow over left bow and under.

Thats it, sorted.

Yes. We make several cords and the instructions for them, they can be used for all sorts of applications. Mail me.

Mary

================= Try a different kind of lace - elastic laces. The idea isn't as daft as it sounds at first. They're sold by disability suppliers for people who can't reach their feet properly after an operation (hip / knee replacement etc.). They tie up very well and then the shoe becomes a 'slip-on' needing a shoehorn to get the shoe on.

Cic.

It does work, been doing mine for years. A smear of polish on a cloth rubbed into the laces every 6-8 weeks keeps them tied. If you are concerned about getting black polish on your hands use clear/natural polish.

LOL!

What you want is waxed laces:

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Oh, I can do those!

Mary

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> cheers,

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