How many times have you had to stop mid stride to bend down and retie your shoelaces? The inconvenience of having to find somewhere with a suitable obstacle to place your foot, to prevent you having to bend down too far. And it always seems to happen when you’re in a hurry or have your hands full.
If only there was a way to prevent it happening. Surely you just need to take more care tying them. A rushed job is a bad job. Quality control every knot, and a day free of shoelace hassle is instantaneously yours.
If only that were true. According to scientists, a recent study concluded that no matter what you do, there is no silver bullet. The BBC’s website demonstrates various methods of tying shoelaces. Who knew there were so many, and none of them the perfect solution. There’s the:
- Reef knot
- Granny knot
- Berluti knot
- Surgeon knot
- Quick knot
So it’s time to get those grey cells working and come up with a foolproof knot that always stays tied. Just ensure it is as easy to untie as it is to tie, so double knots don’t count.
My own (unscientific) research has unearthed another solution. Based on a lifetime of buying footwear, I’ve concluded it’s down to the quality of the laces. I’m amazed at how often I buy a £60+ pair of shoes, with thin synthetic laces that look like they’d disintegrate the first time they’re exposed to daylight. In the same way as you can buy an electric kettle with less than a meter of electric cord, it just doesn’t make sense.
