Finding the best laces is all about understanding the footwear you are placing them in, the job you expect from them in the way of performance, and if there are fashion attributes associated with any of these. For example, round and sturdy ones might be better for hightops; whereas, sneakers might be best suited with flat ones. Some people prefer a loose fit in their footwear. In this case, laces that loosen over time might not be that big of a deal. For runners, however, jogging out of a pair of shoes is not an ideal setting.

Not all laces remain tied, and some may even worsen over time. Although waxed ones are easier to tie and remain tied in the beginning, they tend to not hold the knot very well over time. This is due to them becoming greasy at the point of where the knot is made. By following the proper care techniques and instructions from the manufacturer, these types of frustrations can be avoided and minimized, and this applies to all types.

Too long
Laces that are too long can drag along the surface where you are walking. It is only a step away when the bottom of your footwear grabs hold of laces that are too long. When this happens, the knot will be released; thus, the act of walking becomes the knot’s arch enemy. To prevent this, make certain there is no excess length. In addition to them becoming untied, excess length can cause tripping. This preventive measure will help to minimize the untying, as well as accidental tripping, which can cause serious physical harm.

Too short
With ones that are too short, the knot you are trying to achieve may become impossible to make. You should avoid removing them from the top-tier eyelets to gain the length needed to create your knot. The number of eyelets in your footwear is there for a reason other than visual aesthetics. More than likely, the eyelets have been placed there to ensure proper footwear safety. This means all eyelets should be laced through.

Proper implementation of knots
The standard bow tie knot comes in two varieties (granny and square knot). The correct version of this knot is the square knot; albeit, the two look very similar. This is why we have taken the liberty to explain this in more detail within the Frequently Asked Questions section.

There are two different groups of laces accessories: stylish ones (bling to adorn them for appearance-only purposes) and practical ones (covers to help protect them and lace locks for no-tie systems).

Covers
They are small objects that are placed over the laces to prevent them from untying. They are heavily implemented in sports such as wrestling, soccer, and football. There are also work-related versions of these covers that do more than prevent untying. They are also there to help resist against heat and/or accidental falling of debris upon the footwear. Some spandex/rubber-types can be used as a means to create a water-resistant environment. This kind of covers can be a powerful ally in both preventing your laces from becoming accidentally untied and helping to minimize any undesired wear and tear.

Stylish Bling
Charms are a popular addition to laces. With charms, you can sport your favorite team or declare your affection for your first love. The best charms lay flat underneath and do not cause any discomfort. They, also, do not compromise the integrity of the footwear being tied.

Lace Locks
Lace locks are an alternative to tying, altogether. They, generally, work by placing the foot inside of the footwear prior to installation. The lace lock system is then put into the footwear. Once complete, most lace lock systems do not require any more adjustments to be made.

Aglets are the hard crimped pieces at each end of the laces. Plastic aglets tend to sometimes peel apart or slip off. Metal aglets, on the other hand, are a lot more studier; not to mention, they are pleasing to the eye.

Aglet repair
There are aglet kits available to help repair an otherwise good pair of laces. Installation is, usually, straightforward and is accompanied by instructions.

Cording
Some laces are equipped with an inner-cord structure. This is, usually, surrounded by either a weave or braid pattern. These are usually stronger and can endure more stress than those with no inner-cord.

No-Tie vs. Tie
There are kits which can help eliminate tying altogether (a.k.a. No-Tie Shoelace Systems). These systems can be a great idea for children, or even for those who don’t want to tie their laces anymore. They are widely popular in a fashion sense, as well.

Contrasting colors will provide excitement and can be considered loud. Blending colors will tone down the attention given to your footwear. Some do not have many coloring options, and those that do may not have all colors available in all sizes.

A splash of color on your laces can add an extra flair to your favorite pair of shoes. It's even common now to see vibrant and bright laces on formal footwear; like oxfords or derbies. Color can make a statement and reveal your unique style and personality.

That being said, always make sure that you are considering the setting in which you are sporting your new laces. Standing out in the crowd can be a great thing; but, it can also get you unwanted attention, as well!

There are some with a one-size fit all design to them. Others may have a lot of choices to help the consumer gain a closer approximation to their needs. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to measure your old laces from end-to-end before making a purchase.

Pre-Measure Method
Remove your old laces completely and measure their length from end-to-end. If they were too long, subtract that amount accordingly. If, however, they were too short, add the missing amount accordingly. This is the length you will need when ordering your new laces.

Eyelet Method
Maybe you do not have laces in your shoes at all. Do not worry. There is still a way to find out the length you will need. You can gain a close approximation to the length of laces you need to order by counting the eyelets. Other factors to consider include the distance between the eyelets and the size of the footwear. Please be mindful this method is only an approximation.

Strength
Strength is achieved from the structuring as well as the material makeup. Kevlar-based laces will be much stronger than cotton ones. Also, cotton ones with parachute cording in the middle (wrapped with either weave or braid pattern outer layer) will be stronger than cotton ones without inner-cording.

Types
There are various types: nylon, cotton, leather, polyester, kevlar, hemp, mixes of the former, and synthetic mixes. Nylon will not be stretchy, but cotton will. Nylon has a sticky factor; as such, nylon is likely to remain tied. Flat leather, not so much.

Weave or Braid
Each pattern can result in a different shape. A braided pair is likely to result in a round shape (rope-like). Weaving is used to retaining the flatter shape.