How to Buy Shoelaces: The Complete Guide

Buying shoelaces should be easy. Most of the time it isn't — and almost always for the same reasons. The length is off, the width looks wrong, or the lace just doesn't suit the shoe.

After decades of helping people find the right fit for everything from dress oxfords to heavy work boots, the same issues come up over and over. This guide walks through what actually matters when you're buying replacement shoelaces, so you can skip the guesswork and get it right the first time.

Start With the Type of Shoelaces Based On Your Shoe

The first thing to decide is what kind of shoe you have. Dress shoes, casual shoes, athletic shoes, hiking shoes, boots and skate-style shoes all tend to work best with different kinds of laces.

  • Dress shoes — Thin, refined laces, often waxed.
  • Casual shoes — Flat, round or other everyday lace styles.
  • Athletic shoes — Flat or oval laces that stay comfortable during movement.
  • Boots and work boots — Thicker, stronger, more durable laces.
  • Skate and fashion shoes — Wide flat laces are often part of the look.

If you want to browse by shoe type, shape or material, start with our Shop Shoelaces by Style, Shape & Material page.

Start With Shoelace Length — and Measure Before You Order

Length is where most people go wrong. Charts are useful as a starting point, but eyelet spacing, shoe style and how you like your laces to tie all affect what length actually works for you.

The most reliable method is to pull out your current laces and measure them from tip to tip. That gives you a real-world baseline.

  • Want a cleaner, tighter look? Shorten by an inch or two.
  • Prefer a fuller bow or plan to double-knot? Go a little longer.
  • No original lace to measure? Use the number of eyelet pairs as a starting point.

If you're starting from scratch, use our Shoelace Length Guide to estimate the right size.

Once you know your size, shop shoelaces by length to see your available options.

Shoelace Width Makes A Difference 

Most people spend time thinking about length and don't give width much thought — then wonder why the finished look feels slightly off. Width affects both the appearance of the lace and how easily it passes through the shoe's eyelets.

  • Thin laces suit dressier shoes and smaller eyelets.
  • Medium-width laces work for many everyday and athletic shoes.
  • Wide laces are common in skate shoes, sneakers and statement styles.

If the length is right but something still doesn't look right, width is often the reason.

Use our Shoelace Width Guide to compare common widths, then shop shoelaces by width once you know what you need.

Pick Your Shoelace Shape: Flat, Round, Oval or Tubular

Shape is another detail that changes how a lace looks and feels in the shoe.

  • Flat laces — Common in sneakers, casual shoes and athletic footwear.
  • Round laces — Common in boots, casual shoes and some dress footwear.
  • Oval laces — Popular in athletic footwear and a middle ground between flat and round.
  • Tubular laces — Soft, rounded construction used in athletic, casual and specialty footwear.

If you're replacing rather than changing the look, matching the shape of the original lace is usually the easiest place to start.

You can browse these options on our Shop Shoelaces by Style, Shape & Material page.

Material Affects Both Your Shoelace Look and Lifespan

The material determines how a lace looks, how it wears and how long it lasts.

  • Cotton — Soft texture and a traditional look.
  • Polyester — Durable and dependable for everyday use.
  • Waxed cotton — A polished appearance that holds its shape well.
  • Nylon — Durable and useful for boots and heavier wear.
  • Leather — Common for boots, moccasins and specialty footwear.
  • Elastic — Stretchable options that can make shoes easier to slip on and off.
  • Aramid fiber — Heavy-duty material for work boots and shoes that see hard use.

If you need something especially durable, browse our Aramid Fiber Boot Laces.

Waxed or Unwaxed?

Waxed shoelaces have a smoother, more polished finish, repel water and dirt, and are especially popular for dress shoes and more refined casual footwear.

Unwaxed laces usually have a softer, more casual appearance. Neither is automatically better — the right choice depends on the shoe and the look you want.

Don't Underestimate the Finished Look

Shoelaces are functional, but they're also visible. The right lace can make a worn-in pair of shoes feel put-together again. The wrong one makes even a nice shoe look slightly unfinished.

Some people want a lace that blends in — a close match to the original. Others want a small contrast, a cleaner waxed finish, or something that gives the shoe a more deliberate look. There's no single right answer, but it's worth thinking about before you buy. Even a minor change in color or texture can shift how the whole shoe reads.

Choosing the Right Shoelace Color

Your replacement shoelaces do not have to match the original pair exactly. You can match the shoe, complement it, or deliberately choose a contrasting color.

Neutral colors such as black, white, brown and gray are easy to work with. Brighter colors can completely change the personality of the shoe.

When shopping online, remember that colors can look slightly different depending on your screen and lighting.

Browse solid colors and specialty finishes on our Shop Shoelaces by Color page.

Want Something More Fun? Try Novelty Shoelaces

Novelty shoelaces are decorative or statement laces designed to add personality to your shoes. They can include patterns, prints, glitter, metallic finishes, glow-in-the-dark styles, multicolor designs and other distinctive finishes.

They're a fun choice for sneakers, kids' shoes, costumes, holidays, team colors, special events or anytime you want the laces to stand out.

Explore our Novelty Shoelaces.

When Standard Sizes Don't Cut It

Standard lengths handle most situations well. But some shoes sit between common sizes or have unusual eyelet spacing.

Custom lengths are useful when a standard size is consistently too long or too short.

You can explore Custom Length Shoelaces here.

Add Metal Tips for a More Finished Look

Many shoelaces can be upgraded with premium metal aglets in silver, black and brass. They can give a pair of laces a more finished and customized appearance. Or. you can shop our shoelaces that come with metal tips.

Shop Shoelaces with Metal Tips →

A Few Questions That Come Up Often

  • "I can't find the right length anywhere." — Measure the original lace first. If standard sizes still do not work, custom sizing may solve the problem.
  • "These keep breaking on my boots." — Look at the material and choose something designed for heavier wear.
  • "The laces fit, but they look wrong." — Usually width or shape. Sometimes both.
  • "I want something close to the original." — Match shape and width first, then narrow down material and color.
  • "I need the same lace for multiple pairs." — Once you know what works, buying in bulk can make sense.

In most cases, the answer comes back to the basics: length, width, shape, material and shoe type.

The Short Version

Measure your current laces, then choose a replacement that matches how the shoe is actually used.

Once length, width and shape are right, choose the material, color and finish you prefer.

Where to Start Shopping

If you're not sure where to begin, narrow it down one variable at a time:

Once you know what you're looking for, buying shoelaces becomes simple. Getting there is what this guide is for.