A shoelace is a length of string or rope designed for binding cloth or a shoe to a foot, and modern shoelaces typically are a woven textile with hardened or covered tips called aglets. Shoelaces come in a variety of shapes, colors and widths but can be easily divided into two groups: flat and round. Round shoelaces are three-dimensional, tubular weaves. Some round shoelaces are woven around a firm core, which limits their elasticity but increases their durability and strength. While still capable of compression, round shoelaces tend to be stiffer, so they retain their shape longer and are easy to untie when knotted.
The choice between round and flat laces is largely determined by historical preference and style. Dress shoes, all-terrain sneakers and work boots are often sold with round laces. Round laces tend to be stiffer, permitting a tight, supportive lace, and they fit easily in J-hooks, the eyelet-like catches at the top of a boot. When replacing the laces of a pair of boots, the same style of lace of lace should be used. This will prevent any difficulty passing through eyelets or J-hooks.
There are many ways for round shoelaces to be laced. A minimalistic style with a low-profile such as that seen on army boots will provide a comfortable fit for most activities. The aglets should be inserted up through the first eyelets, forming a straight line across the base of the tongue on the interior of the shoe. The shoelace should be centered by holding both aglets in the same hand and pulling the shoe to the center of the length. The left aglet should then be threaded down into the next hole on the left.
This can be repeated with the right aglet and right eyelet, which forms a straight bar on either side of the tongue. The ends of the shoelace should then be crossed, and each end should be up through the next set of aglets on the opposite side — for example, the left end will cross to the right and emerge from the eyelet on the right side. The shoelace should be pulled down through the next set of eyelets, forming a second row of straight lines parallel to the tongue. The laces should then be crossed and the process repeated until the top of the shoe is reached.