Tired of tying your shoelaces every single day? We were too. That’s what pushed us to find out how to lace shoes without tying. And once we did, we never looked back.
There are actually several easy ways to turn regular shoes into slip-ons. Just a few smart swaps like elastic laces, hidden knots, or lace anchors can change everything. And yes, it works for adults, kids, and even older folks who need things to be simple.
Here’s how to lace shoes without tying:
Method |
Best For |
What It Does |
Elastic No-Tie Laces |
Everyday sneakers, gym shoes |
Turns any shoe into a comfy slip-on |
Hidden Knot Method |
Running shoes, low-profile sneakers |
Hides the knot under the tongue |
Bar Lacing |
Nike shoes, casual low-tops |
Creates a clean, minimal slip-on style |
Ladder Lacing |
Air Max, boots |
Gives a tight, secure hold |
Lace Anchors / Locking Clips |
Air Force 1, kid shoes |
Locks laces in place with no tying |
Bungee Cord Laces |
New Balance, running shoes |
Stretchy, flexible, and easy to adjust |
Zipper Laces |
Kids' shoes |
Zip-up style that’s easy and secure |
Toggles / Cord Locks |
Jordans, casual sneakers |
Quick tension control without tying |
Velcro Lace Covers |
Kids' or special needs shoes |
Covers and secures traditional laces |
Zipper Lacing Unit |
Stylish sneakers, slip-on conversions |
Replaces laces with an actual zipper |
Let’s now look at step-by-step details for all types of shoes, including Nike, New Balance, and more!
How to lace shoes without tying? (The Best Method)
To lace shoes without tying, use elastic no-tie laces that stretch. They hold the shoe snugly in place without knots.
We started using elastic no-tie laces when mornings felt too rushed and we were tired of bending down every time. These laces turn any shoe into a comfy slip-on. We’ve used them on our daily sneakers, gym shoes, and even school shoes. They’re super easy to install and last a long time.
Follow these steps to lace shoes without tying at home:
-
Remove your old shoelaces completely.
-
Insert the elastic laces through the eyelets just like regular laces.
-
Adjust the tightness to match your comfort.
-
Lock the laces using the clip or toggle that comes with the package.
-
Cut off any extra lace if needed, and cap the ends to keep them neat.
How to lace running shoes without tying?
To lace running shoes without tying, use the hidden knot method. It secures the laces under the tongue for a clean, knot-free look.
We discovered this when we were training for a 5K and got tired of tripping over loose laces. The hidden knot method keeps the shoe snug while looking clean on top.
Steps for the Hidden Knot Method:
-
Lace your shoes normally through the eyelets.
-
Stop one or two holes before the top to give room for the knot.
-
Tie a small, tight knot using the ends of the laces.
-
Tuck the knot neatly under the shoe’s tongue.
-
Slide your foot in and adjust the lacing if it feels too tight or loose.
If you ever switch back to tied laces, this step-by-step on how to tie running shoes can help prevent foot pain and improve performance.
How to lace Nike shoes without tying?
To lace Nike shoes without tying, you can use bar lacing. It creates a clean slip-on style while holding the foot firmly. It’s now our go-to method for low-top sneakers. This also works great if you care about the look as much as the convenience.
-
Start by inserting the lace straight across the bottom eyelets from the inside.
-
Pull both ends up and skip one eyelet on each side.
-
Feed the lace straight across and into the opposite eyelet.
-
Continue this pattern all the way to the top.
-
Once at the top, tuck or tie a hidden knot under the tongue if needed.
How to lace Air Max shoes without tying?
You can lace your Air Max shoes without tying by using the ladder lacing method. It holds the foot firmly and doesn’t need a knot. The laces stay tight, and the look is clean. And once it’s set up, the shoes work just like slip-ons.
Do this to lace Air Max shoes without tying:
-
Start at the bottom. Go straight across and into both eyelets from the outside.
-
Take each lace straight up into the next hole on the same side.
-
Cross the laces and feed each one under the vertical lace on the opposite side.
-
Repeat until you reach the top.
-
Tuck the ends under the tongue or tie a small hidden knot inside.
How to lace Air Force 1 shoes without tying?
We use lace anchors or locking clips to lace our Air Force 1s without tying. These hold the laces tight, so we never need a knot.
We switched to this after getting tired of loose laces. Once we added clips, our AF1s became easy to slip on. The laces stay in place all day. And the top of the shoe looks clean without anything sticking out.
Here are the steps:
-
Lace the shoes normally. Keep it even.
-
Adjust the tightness to fit your foot.
-
Attach the anchor or clip on the inside near the tongue.
-
Cut the extra lace if there’s too much.
-
Tuck in the ends or clip them to keep everything tidy.
How to lace Jordans without tying them?
To lace your Jordans without tying them, the best way is using toggles or cord locks. They hold the laces in place and let us slip the shoes on and off easily. Toggles keep everything neat and secure. We also like that you can adjust the tightness anytime. It works well for both casual wear and everyday walking.
How to use toggles or cord locks:
-
Lace your Jordans normally through the eyelets.
-
Thread both lace ends through the toggle or cord lock.
-
Slide the toggle to adjust the tightness on your foot.
-
Tie a small stopper knot at each lace end so the toggle doesn’t slide off.
-
Tuck or trim the extra lace if you want a cleaner look.
This method keeps your Jordans snug without ever needing to tie a knot. We’ve used it for months, and it works every time.
If you like no-tie methods, you might also enjoy trying out these 4 easy ways to lace Nike LTD sneakers—they’re stylish and super practical.
How to lace New Balance shoes without tying?
You can use bungee cord laces to lace your New Balance shoes without tying. These stretch and hold, so the shoe stays snug with no knot. Plus, they’re soft, flexible, and easy to adjust. We also like that we can slip our shoes on in seconds.
Here’s how to lace New Balance shoes without tying:
-
Take out your old laces.
-
Thread the bungee laces through the eyelets like normal.
-
Slide on the toggle that comes with the laces.
-
Adjust the tightness with the toggle.
-
Trim the extra and attach the stoppers.
How to lace shoes without tying for kids?
Use zipper laces to lace your kid’s shoes without tying. These zip across the shoe and don’t need a knot.
We found these after our kid kept losing shoes during recess. Zipper laces are easy for kids to use on their own. They zip up in seconds and stay closed.
How to use zipper laces:
-
Take off the original laces.
-
Hook the zipper laces into the eyelets.
-
Adjust the fit before closing the zipper.
-
Zip across the top to secure the shoe.
-
Check that the fit is comfortable and stays in place.
Pros and Cons of Lacing Shoes Without Tying
We’ve been using no-tie lacing for a while now. We started because we wanted to save time in the morning. But over time, we found there were other benefits too. Still, it’s not perfect. There are a few things that don’t work for everyone.
Here’s what we’ve noticed from actually using different no-tie methods.
Pros |
Cons |
Saves time every day |
Can feel too tight |
Cleaner look |
Not good for high-impact sports |
Safer for kids and elderly |
Elastic may wear out |
Less pressure on the top of the foot |
Takes a little time to learn |
Helpful for people with mobility issues |
Pros of Lacing Shoes Without Tying
We like lacing shoes without tying for a few solid reasons.
Saves time every day
We don’t have to stop and tie laces anymore. That sounds simple, but when we’re in a rush, especially with kids or going to the gym, it matters. No-tie shoes go on and off fast. It’s one less thing to think about when mornings are already hectic. Even at work or school, we never have to stop to fix loose laces.
Cleaner look
We’ve tried bar lacing and elastic laces. They make shoes look cleaner. No big knot on top. No floppy laces. Just neat and simple. When we wear sneakers that are already minimal in design, this style matches well. We’ve even had people ask how we laced them that way. It’s subtle, but it looks better.
Safer for kids and elderly
We’ve seen kids trip over their untied laces way too often. It’s also hard for older family members to bend down or tie a proper knot. No-tie setups fix both problems. Once the laces are in place, they stay there. There’s nothing to tie and nothing to come undone. We use them in school shoes and walking shoes at home.
Less pressure on the top of the foot
We noticed that regular laces sometimes squeeze the foot in weird spots. With elastic laces or ladder lacing, the pressure spreads more evenly. It feels more comfortable, especially after walking or standing for a long time. We first noticed this when we swapped regular laces in our running shoes. The difference was clear.
Helpful for people with mobility issues
We’ve shared no-tie methods with friends and family who have trouble bending or using their hands. It really helps. One of our relatives has arthritis, and using toggles and elastic laces made putting on shoes so much easier. They didn’t need help anymore. It’s a simple change, but it gave back some independence.
Cons of Lacing Shoes Without Tying
Even though we use no-tie lacing often, it’s not perfect for everything. There are a few things that didn’t work for us.
Can feel too tight
Some methods, especially elastic ones, can be too snug. If we don’t set the tension just right, the shoes press down on the top of the foot. We had to adjust them a few times to find the right fit. And once, we trimmed the laces too early and had to buy a new pair. So now, we always test the fit first and wait before cutting.
Not good for high-impact sports
We tried no-tie laces for sports like basketball and trail running. They didn’t hold up. The shoes felt loose, and we didn’t feel secure when making quick moves. For daily walking or gym workouts, they’re fine. But when it comes to intense movement, we had to switch back to traditional laces to keep our feet stable.
Elastic may wear out
Over time, elastic laces lose stretch. One pair we used daily started to sag after a few months. The shoes didn’t feel tight anymore, and the toggle started slipping. We had to replace the laces earlier than we expected. Now we check the laces every month or so. If they look worn or stop holding, we switch them out.
Takes a little time to learn
The first time we used lace anchors and toggles, we messed it up. The laces didn’t feel right, or we cut them too short. It’s not hard, but it’s different. We had to look up a quick tutorial the first time. After that, it got easier. But there’s a small learning curve, especially if you’re used to regular laces.
Conclusion
Here, we discussed the best methods to lace shoes without tying. We’ve used these methods in real life—from school mornings to workouts—and they’ve made a huge difference.
-
You save a few minutes every day.
-
Your shoes stay snug and look clean.
-
It’s safer for kids and older adults.
-
Works for all kinds of shoes and lifestyles.
-
Most of all, it just makes life easier.
Try one of the no-tie methods and you’ll never want to go back.