Elastic (No Tie) Shoelaces

by ERCBIENG

179K9933

Intro: Elastic (No Tie) Shoelaces

 Tired of bending down to tie your shoe every  10 minutes?  Replace your old fashion shoe laces with an elastic band to create comfortable slip-ons.  This is very easy to do and only costs around $2.

This conversion is best for everyday shoes. 

How it works:
Elastic banding will replace your normal shoelaces.  This elastic banding will constantly be pulling the two parts of the shoe together making it like you just tied you shoe.  (but not to tight) 

STEP 1: Supplies

 For this instructable you will need:

1 pair of shoes
3 Yards of 1/4 inch elastic band ($0.75 walmart craft section)
Scissors 
Needle and thread
Super glue ($1.00 walmart) (optional) 

STEP 2: Unlace and Measure

Unlace 1 of your shoes leaving the other  shoe for a pattern.  

With the shoelace from one of the shoes, cut a strip of 1/4 elastic band 
roughly the same size.  

Put the elastic banding through the bottoms holes. Make sure that both sides of the elastic lace are lengthen evenly.

STEP 3: Lace-Up

 Following the pattern of your other shoe to lace the elastic band. You may wish to change your pattern or keep the same one.  


(Helpful hint)
Its easier if you take the end of the elastic cord and fold in in half.

STEP 4: Tying It All Together

 After you have finished lacing you shoe take the ends and make a simple cross.  

Determine how tight you like your shoes by putting them on and marking how tight the cross is relative to how tight your shoe is.

This mark is where you will sew it all together.

With your needle, simply make several loops in and out of the cross to secure it firmly.  

Tie the thread together and cut off the extra string surrounding the knot


STEP 5: Finishing

Tie a simple knot over your thread work to lock in your perfect shoe fit.

Cut off excess slack in elastic banding.

(Optional) Super glue the knot 

Repeat previous steps to complete other shoe.

STEP 6: Relax

 Thats it!  Very simple.

You can now roam freely without having to tie your shoe ever again.
These shoes are now very easy to put on.  AND no one can tell that you have elastic banding for shoelaces.

Have fun!

32 Comments

ADLeaton 3 years ago

I want to do the opposite, how can I change the
shoe so I can replace the elastic bands with shoe laces?

Nanawinstead 4 years ago

Do u know how to color the elastic, or where to buy it?

danamark 7 years ago

http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/straightbarlacing.htm

denatex 8 years ago

You guys gotta try BOOMLACES. Great for easy on and off for your shoes and It actually helped me with my Planter fasciitis!

ishmaelangelo 9 years ago

If you've got extra elastic lying around then great, but it would be much simpler to get a pair of Laceez, which have a patent pending system to lock the aglet into the eyelet. I got mine at https://mylaceez.com

kudzu63 9 years ago

I know some people would rather have a DIY project, but you can buy these for around $3. They come in a bunch of colors and also have a neat little keeper that keeps them as tight as you want them. I found mine at Sports Authority.

esdxcox 11 years ago

Cool DIY...I got tired of having to deal with shoelaces on me and my boys' Chucks and Vans too! So I came up with Synch Bands (pronounced "cinch"). Adjustable elastic shoelaces that turn your shoes into slip-ons, all with no bows or tying :) http://synchbands.com Check 'em out and hopefully you dig them too!

Paula7928 11 years ago

What a great idea! I usually buy elastic no tie curly shoelaces online from this site http://www.shoelaces.ecrater.com/p/3982912/curly-laces-shoelaces-white-no but it is so cool to make them yourself.

merriweather 12 years ago

Also cool are "no tie shoelaces" you can google it; they are curly elastic bands which you thread through your shoe while it is on your foot & then simply pull the ends to tighten.. They are terrific for younger children, but i like thelm too!

gkila16 13 years ago

i couldnt find the elastic band is there any other name it could be found under by?

merriweather 12 years ago

didnt realize this was 2010; did u find the band? You should be able to ask for it in any fabric type of store or arts & crafts - JoAnn's Fabric, Walmart, Maybe even Michaels. Elastic bands might be near the ribbon section..not sure i've never really had to purchase it before.

ERCBIENG 13 years ago

where did you look for it?

SwimmingRox 13 years ago

simple... but creative! maybe you could also tie the elastic bands in a bow like regular shoes and then sew the bow shut with white thread.

Amalie08 14 years ago

 I love this idea!!!! Definitely going to use this for my keds and vans! You are awesome :)

atomiclizard 14 years ago

 I love this Instructable! It inspired me to tie my Chuck Taylor's with braided elastic, and I'll never go back to laces again. I am lazy, so I decided to just double-tie the elastic laces instead of using thread and glue. They look just like normal shoes but slip right on and off. Thanks for the idea!

notmyfault 14 years ago

Oh, Man...I wish I had seen this before I took my trip...After removing and retying my shoes for airport security 3 times in one day...No fun when you have kids and baggage...I will definitely do this before the next trip....Thanks a lot...5*s....NMF

solo.card 14 years ago

I like this idea a lot.

There are a pair of shoes that came with laces too short to tie properly, and look really poor anyway, so I think I'll do this to them!

Got a few ideas of a slight change I might add, but if anything super fantastic comes out, I'll post it later.
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