Skip to main content

How to tie your shoes and make any pair in your closet slip-on shoes

YouTube videos with genius ways to tie your shoes so you never have to tie them again

It turns out that learning to tie your shoes in Kindergarten may not have been the win you and your parents thought it was. Men’s slip-on shoes are all the rage these days. Call them ugly all you want — they’re easy to slip on when you’re in a rush and cozy to boot.

Maybe you’re a resident sneakerhead, or perhaps you simply don’t feel like splurging on a pair of designer men’s slip-on shoes. You might simply not be able to get passed the “ugly shoe” label of Birkenstocks (or the more budget-friendly dupes). Still, the ease of slip-on shoes is a massive perk.

Related Videos

It’s possible to turn your sneakers into slip-ons, so you never have to tie them again. Two YouTube videos explained three genius methods to tie your shoes for the last time.

NEVER TIE YOUR SHOES AGAIN - 2 Slip On Hacks!

Lace Anchor

The first two methods come from the same video by Wearably Weird. The YouTube creator first explained how to use a lace anchor to tie your shoes, turning them into slip-ons.

At the end of the video, the user explains something we’ll tell you upfront: Try this method with your foot in the shoe to customize the fit and lace slack.

  1. Take out your anchor, and thread the lace through the top hole.
  2. Pull it down. It should sit underneath the top eyelet.
  3. Take the lace, and smooth it to get rid of any creases.
  4. Thread the lace into the bottom hole, and pull it through.
  5. Feel the resistance — it makes it difficult for the lace to move, which is the goal. It is similar to a bow but doesn’t require being tied.
  6. Repeat on the opposite side.

Free Technique

The second method, which the user calls the “free technique,” doesn’t require any special equipment.

  1. Unlace your shoes.
  2. Thread the lace into the two eyelets, or lace holes, at the top of the shoe. You want the laces threaded downward. The video gives a good visual at the 2:21 mark.
  3. Peel back the sneaker at the eyelet. Thread the lace into the second eyelet to create a small loop.
  4. Continue with the same side of the lace, but go to the second eyelet on the opposite side of the sneaker to create a straight lace.
  5. Take the other side of the lace and repeat the third and fourth steps.
  6. Keep going, alternating sides to create straight laces up and down the shoe.
  7. Once you’ve threaded the laces through the final set of eyelets, they should both come out on the same side.
  8. Tie the knot, so it is down and close to the eyelet. Pull to ensure good resistance. This step ensures the laces stay tight enough to keep your foot in the shoe. However, the laces are also loose enough to allow your sneakers to become slip-on shoes.
  9. Tuck the laces under the tongue of the sneaker.
Convert your shoes to slip-ons in 4 easy steps | Life Hack

Knotted Method

The final method comes from creator Hari of Relativity.

  1. Take your lace from the bottom eyelet, or the one closest to your body.
  2. Make some simple knots. The creator recommended four, and you can watch him do it around the :50 mark.
  3. Thread the lace back in the loop and make two more knots. The lace should no longer move.
  4. If your shoe has an extra hole. Thread the lace through the inside and pull it out. Make a knot or two if you have extra lace.
  5. Follow the same instructions on the opposite side.
  6. Slip the shoes on.

Yes, it’s possible to convert sneakers into slip-ons, alleviating one extra step from your morning routine. YouTube videos can help video learners get the job done with ease.

Editors' Recommendations

Treat Your Feet: These are the 7 Types of Shoes Every Man Should Own
Every man should own these 7 types of shoes to always be in style
the best shoelaces for boots shoe laces

Nothing finishes off a great outfit like the right pair of shoes. As a matter of fact, the right pair of shoes can elevate an ensemble from mediocre to the talk of the party. There are literally dozens of options for men to choose from when it comes to picking the right shoe for your closet. But what are the types of shoes every man should own?

When building your shoe wardrobe, there are some staples every man should add to his collection to ensure that you have the right shoe for any occasion. To help you navigate the over-saturated waters in every shoe store, here are the seven types of shoes that every man should own.
Black Dress Shoes

Read more
What Are the Best Shoes for Your Suit? The Only Style Guide You Need
A Guide to Completing Your Suit Outfits
Lacing shoes

The right dress shoes can make a suit. Just as easily, the wrong dress shoes can break one. Nothing can ruin a perfectly tailored suit and sharply chosen dress shirt and tie like the wrong shoes. Imagine the feeling of buying a brand new Ferrari and then giving it the exact tires you just had with your Honda Civic; this is the effect of having the wrong shoes on with your suit.

No fear, though. This article introduces the different colors of shoes you can have in your closet that are the best shoes for your suits. Remember that all menswear rules are meant to be broken, which means you may see others breaking away from what we are telling you here. This is basic; once you are comfortable, you can and should push the boundaries and have fun with it.

Read more
Who Needs Laces? A Guide to Slip-On Shoes for Men
Here's Why You Should Wear Men's Slip-Ons
A pair of navy Loafers with chinos

Let’s get something out of the way: We will not be discussing Crocs here. This is a guide to the stylish men’s slip-on shoes that have gained popularity over the past few years. As menswear skewed toward comfort after the Great Quarantine, slip-ons provided a relaxed alternative to laced shoes. While ease of use has been the primary appeal luring men away from laces, aesthetics have been the other driving factor. Wearing slip-on shoes passively declares that you can’t be bothered with laces. You’re in a position to disregard constraining footwear customs and who doesn’t enjoy shirking the rules?

To be more specific, the slip-on shoes we are discussing here are made of leather, some sort of knit fabric, or velvet. The primary uniting attribute is that they all have a separate sole and upper that has been sewn together. This feature alone categorizes them as proper shoes, separate from sneakers or any kind of injection molded footwear (i.e. Crocs, Clogs, Yeezy Runners). They are all based on classic designs that go back anywhere from 100 to 400 years, predating all modern laced footwear. This heritage provides a nobility that can offset any boorish perceptions. Your sneaker-soled oxfords are nice, but Winston Churchill wore velvet slippers.

Read more