Want to learn how to tie your shoes? Whether you're after shoelace tying speed, simplicity, security or style, here's twenty-five different shoelace knots to choose from – including several that I've created.
NOTE: Don't be put off by this daunting collection – most people only need to learn one “Regular” knot and perhaps one “Secure” knot. Other choices can also help when teaching children, particularly if the child is frustrated by the “regular” shoelace knot technique.
25 Different Ways To Tie Shoes
SECTION 1 – Regular Shoelace Knots
Also known as the “Bunny Rabbit” or the “Loop, Swoop and Pull” knot, this is probably the most common method for tying shoes. Make a loop with one end, wrap the other end around and pull a loop through the “hole” in the middle.
Also known as the “Bunny Ears” shoelace knot (due to its two loops) or as the “Bowknot”. Make a loop with both ends, then simply tie a knot with them. It's often tied incorrectly, resulting in an un-balanced Granny Knot.
SECTION 2 – Secure Shoelace Knots
Also known as the “Double Slip Knot”, this is a secure shoelace knot with a simple, symmetrical method of tying. Cross two loops and pass them both through the “hole” in the middle. Recommended!
Also known as the “Tibetan Trekking Knot” or “Sherpa Knot”, this is the most common secure shoelace knot. Make a Standard Shoelace Knot, but before pulling tight, run the loop around and through the middle for a second time.
Also known as the “Double Shoestring Knot”, this is a secure knot popularized by Olga Berluti. Begin as per the Standard Shoelace Knot and finish by feeding the opposite loop through the middle before tightening.
Also known as the “Shoe Clerk's Knot”, this is a crude method of making a knot “permanent” or for consuming excess lace to keep the ends from dragging. Tie a Standard Shoelace Knot, then tie a half knot with the finished loops.
By hanging onto the loops and repeating the Ian Knot technique, the result is the more secure Double Ian Shoelace Knot. This is also handy for consuming excess lace to keep the ends from dragging.
This is a more secure variation of my Ian Knot. Make a double-loop with both ends and simultaneously pull them through each other. The result is super-secure, though nowhere near as fast as the regular Ian Knot.
This knot is made in two distinct stages. Make and secure one loop, then make and secure the other loop. The result is slightly more secure because it's less likely for both stages to come undone.
SECTION 3 – Starting Knots
Most of the shoelace knots shown on this website begin with the same “Left-over-Right Starting Knot”. Here's how to tie this basic knot, known as a “Half Knot”.
The Double Starting Knot holds tighter, which is great when tying slippery shoelaces or when learning new knots – especially for kids. Begin as for a regular Starting Knot, then wrap around for a second time.
Ian's fast way to tie the foundation of most shoelace knots, using a mirrored “Ian Knot” technique with the ends then pulled all the way through. Recommended!
SECTION 4 – Special Purpose Shoelace Knots
Commonly used on moccasins and slippers, this knot is decorative only and does not hold tight. Two loops are crossed at the middle, then secured with a simple half knot.
Ian's faster technique for tying the decorative shoelace bow commonly used on moccasins and slippers. A “loop” and a “noose” are simultaneously formed and pushed through each other.
Often used on boat shoes (deck shoes) or moccasins with leather laces, the “Heaving Line Knot” creates decorative coils instead of knots. Each end is simply coiled around itself until all remaining lace is consumed.
A decorative knot that makes the perfect finishing touch for a Halloween outfit or for other “creepy” occasions. Tie your shoelaces with these miniature “Hangman's Nooses”.
Here's a simple knot for tying shoes with one hand. Lace the shoe with the bottom end permanently tied off, then secure the top end with a simple loop knot.
The Reef Knot is basically a Standard Shoelace Knot minus the loops. This is useful when the ends are not long enough to tie a regular bow, such as when a shoelace has broken. Also known as a “Square Knot”.
Created in conjunction with PUMA in Sep-2017 in support of marriage equality in Australia. Consists of my Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot (with its central “Equality” symbol “=”) symbolically tied at the side of the shoe.
SECTION 5 – Other Knots
This knot is a curiosity that often results from tying the Ian Knot incorrectly. Twisting the loops in the wrong direction results in a knot with the ends crossed within the knot. It seems more secure – but can easily fall apart.