Elastic no-tie laces: what it is, how to choose, and 2 that work

How to choose an elastic no-tie laces (no tie shoelaces, elastic shoelaces)

Every type turns a lace-up shoe into a slip-on. The real difference is how they fasten, and each fastening trades holding power against ease of setup. Setup is a one-time job that needs two hands, so it's fine to hand it to someone else.

• Toggle lock. A round elastic cord runs through the eyelets, and both ends pass through a spring toggle at the top. You squeeze the toggle to slide it, so you can tighten or loosen the shoe any time, but that squeeze takes a pinch. The toggle and the trimmed cord ends sit on top of the shoe.
• Silicone bands. Each pair of eyelets gets its own short band with a knob at each end to anchor it. There's nothing to adjust later and nothing left on top, so they look tidy. Fitting a dozen small bands takes nimble fingers, which makes this the type to have someone install for you.
• Flat elastic laces with end clips. These look the most like ordinary laces. Small clips lock the ends in place, and once set they stay put; changing the tension means undoing the clips.
• How firm the stretch is. Firmer elastic keeps the shoe on better when you walk fast; softer elastic lets your foot in more easily. Listings rarely give a number for this, so reviews that mention walking or getting the foot in are your best guide.
• Length and count. Count the eyelet pairs on the shoes you'll use; most sneakers have five to seven. Band sets are sold by count and elastic laces by length. Boots and high-tops need longer laces, and too long is fine because you trim them.

Who should skip them. If you rely on your shoes being laced tight around the ankle, as with hiking boots on rough ground or shoes a specialist fitted to hold your foot a certain way, elastic may not keep that fit; ask whoever fitted them. The laces also only solve tying. If reaching your feet is the real problem, you'll still need a way to get your heel into the shoe, usually a long-handled shoehorn.

What the numbers mean

How it fastens

A toggle lock can be tightened again later; silicone bands and clip-end laces are set once and then left alone.

Adjustable after setup

If you want the shoe looser some days and firmer on others, being able to adjust without rethreading saves a job you may need help with.

Lace length

Elastic laces are cut to fit, so a lace that's too long is fine, while one that's too short won't reach the top eyelets of boots or high-tops.

2 elastic no-tie laces that work

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RJ-Sport elastic no-tie laces with lock

Elastic no-tie laces

$7.99 price as of Sep 27, 2026 at 4:47 pm ET

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Why it works

Elastic laces with a lock turn sneakers into slip-ons: one reviewer slides a foot in without bending down, which is the point when your feet are out of reach.

Who it won't suit

Threading them and setting the lock takes two hands and some fiddling, so someone else may need to fit them; they are made for sneakers, not dress shoes.

What reviewers report

Reviewers say shoes go on without bending down to tie anything, and one of them is seventy-five, with arthritis in both hands and a brace on each wrist. — Our summary of customer reviews on Amazon · read the reviews (opens new tab)

One-Hand Lock No Tie Shoe Laces

Elastic no-tie laces

$14.90 price as of Sep 27, 2026 at 4:47 pm ET

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Why it works

The lace tightens through a lock you can work with one hand, and once it is set the shoe goes on and off without touching the lace again.

Who it won't suit

Fitting them means pulling the lace through and cutting it to length, and one reviewer with arthritic hands could not manage that step and returned them.

What reviewers report

One reviewer who has use of only one hand after a stroke reports getting shoes on with these. Another with arthritic hands could not fit them at all and sent them back. — Our summary of customer reviews on Amazon · read the reviews (opens new tab)

Guides where we recommend elastic no-tie laces

• Tying shoes when you can't bend or reach

Questions people ask about elastic no-tie laces

Are no-tie laces tight enough for walking and running?

For most people, yes. Toggle-style elastic laces are widely used by runners and triathletes, who need shoes they can get into quickly and that stay put. If you need the ankle locked down tight, ordinary laces still do that better.

Can you put no-tie laces in any shoe?

Any shoe with eyelets will take them, but they work best on shoes with a tongue and a firm heel that holds its shape. A very soft shoe whose heel folds over is hard to slip into, however the laces are done.

How do you install elastic no-tie laces?

Thread them loosely through all the eyelets, put the shoe on, and tighten row by row until it feels snug but not tight. Set the toggle or clips, take the shoe off and on a few times to check, and only then trim the extra, leaving a little spare. It takes two hands, so it's a good job to hand off.

Do you still need a shoehorn with no-tie laces?

If bending or reaching is the problem, often yes. The laces mean you never tie a bow, but you still have to guide your heel into the shoe, and a long-handled shoehorn lets you do that sitting upright or standing. If you can reach your feet but can't tie, the laces alone are usually enough.

Do elastic laces stretch out over time?

They lose some stretch with wear and washing, and the shoe starts to feel looser. With a toggle you can take up the slack; bands and clipped laces get replaced once they stop holding. They're inexpensive, so keeping a spare set on hand is easy.