Introduction: Re-use Bike Inner Tubes for Shoelaces (and Bonus Lacing Idea)

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Being one of those who bikes as much as possible, i have plenty of inner tubes laying around my garage.  I have also always been a fan of not having to tie my shoes.  I eventually put 2 and 2 together and decided to go with INNER TUBE LACES!

Step 1: Gather Materials

For this Instructable, you will need:
inner tube
scissors
unlaced shoes

the reason i have two pairs of scissors, is because the big ones are very dull but the small ones work the best.  you dont' need two pairs, of scissors, it's just what worked for me.

Step 2: Cut the Tube

This part is kind of where you need to do a little eyeballing and guessing.  i cut my strip about a half inch wide, and this width works quite well, as we will be cutting the strip in half again in the next step.  Luckly inner tubes have lines on them, so if you cut near a line, you can follow that and your double wide lace will stay roughly the same width.

Step 3: Cut the Strip in Half

the title pretty much covers the whole idea of this step...but try to keep them about the same width.

Step 4: Now You Have INNER TUBE SPAGHETTI!!!

LOOK AT THE SPAGHETTI!


you also have two laces now...just to let ya know.

Step 5: Angle Each End

Now that you have your two laces, cut the end at steep angles so that they are easier to get through the holes in your shoes.  Now you are officially done with the lace making!

Step 6: Now for the Bonus Cycle Lacing

I will be doing this on the example with yellow laces so that it is easier to see on the black shoes.

First, lace it through the bottom two holes in the shoe so that it is running under the holes.

Step 7: Continue With the Lacing

For this step, you have to count how many pairs of holes you have.  If you have an even number, do this step on the inside, but if you have an odd number, do this on the outside.  Depending on your number of holes, take the corrisponding lace and put it through the hole directly above it, and then pull it through the corrisponding hole on the other side.

Step 8: The Next Step for Lacing

Now, using your other lace, you have to skip the hole your current lace is coming out and go to the one above it.  Now that you're through that hole, do exactly what you did for the first lace.

Step 9: Continue Up the Shoe

just continue what you're doing all the way up the shoe.  this is actually normal bar lacing, only it's inside-out

Step 10: Eventually, Your Laces Should End Up on the Same Side.

If your laces end up on the inside, then you miss counted your pairs of holes and you need to start lacing on the other side.  then just tie them off and you're done!

Step 11: AND THEY'RE STRETCHY!

Not only are these a great way to re-use something, these laces are streachy which makes your shoes easy to put on and take off!

This is the link to the site where i learned to lace shoes like this.  He has alot of other cool ways too!   http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/lacingmethods.htm

I hope you guys put this to good use and enjoy!