Manufacturer · Fashion Accessories
Shoelace cord locks replace the knot: both ends of the lace pass through a spring stopper that slides up to tighten the shoe and is released by pressing the button. They are used on running shoes, hiking and trail shoes, children's shoes and with elastic "slip-on" laces. The choice of cord lock depends on the shape and thickness of the lace.
How shoelace cord locks work
The mechanism is the same as with cord stoppers for clothing – a body, a plunger and a spring. The difference is the load: the shoelace is pulled hard with every step, so the cord lock must hold securely without slipping. The two ends of the lace pass through a two-hole stopper or together through one larger hole. Once the shoe is tightened, the cord lock is pushed down to the last pair of eyelets and holds the lace. The free ends are tucked under the laces or into a small pocket on the tongue.
When a cord lock is better than a knot
- Sport and running – the lace does not come undone during training or a race.
- Triathlon and quick changes – the shoe is put on and tightened in seconds.
- Hiking and trail – adjustment with gloves on and without bending down for long.
- Children's shoes – children put shoes on and take them off by themselves.
- People with limited mobility – no tying is needed.
- Work shoes – less risk of hanging laces getting caught.
Types of laces and a suitable cord lock
| Lace | Feature | Suitable cord lock |
|---|---|---|
| Round lace | The easiest to adjust | Standard two-hole spring stopper |
| Flat lace | Folds up in a round hole | Stopper with an oval or larger hole |
| Elastic lace | Thins when stretched | Stopper with a hole at the lower limit, strong spring |
| Kevlar or thin technical lace | Very thin and slippery | Special stopper with a small hole or a reel |
For elastic laces that allow the shoe to be put on without untying, the cord lock is fitted once, adjusted to the foot and then rarely touched. For ordinary laces the cord lock is used every time the shoe is put on, so the spring must be durable.
How to fit shoelace cord locks
- Remove the old laces or loosen them as much as possible.
- Thread the new lace through the eyelets from the bottom up, as usual, to the last pair.
- Press the button of the cord lock and pass both ends of the lace through the holes – each through its own on a two-hole model.
- Put the shoe on, tighten the lace and slide the cord lock down towards the tongue.
- Release the button and check that the cord lock holds when walking.
- Cut off the excess length, leaving a few centimetres in reserve, and finish the ends with aglets or a knot.
If the lace is too thick for the hole, do not force it – you will rough up the braid and the cord lock will jam.
Tucking away the ends
The free ends after the cord lock are the main weakness of the system – if they hang, they can catch. There are several solutions: shortening the lace and finishing the end with an aglet, tucking the ends under the crossed laces, a small elastic pocket on the tongue of the shoe, or a cap on the cord lock into which the end fits. In shoe production the pocket for the ends is often part of the design.
Cord locks for shoes in production
Manufacturers of sports and children's shoes use cord locks as part of the product, not as an accessory the customer adds later. In this case a few rules apply:
- the cord lock and the lace are selected together and tested with repeated pressing and pulling that simulates real use;
- the body is rounded, with no edges that could wear the tongue or the upper;
- the colour matches the laces or the accents of the style;
- on branded models the cord lock can carry a logo;
- the lace ends are finished with aglets that do not pass through the cord lock, so that it does not get lost.
You will find more accessories for the footwear industry in the footwear and leather accessories category.
A system with elastic laces and a cord lock
The combination of an elastic lace and a cord lock is popular on children's shoes, leisure shoes and shoes for older people. The lace is adjusted once to the foot, the cord lock is fixed, and from then on the shoe is put on and taken off like a loafer. For the system to work, the elastic must have suitable stretch: too soft and it does not hold the heel, too firm and it presses on the top of the foot. It is best for the cord lock to be small and flat so that it does not press through the tongue. In production such sets are often supplied ready-made – lace, cord lock and aglets in one colour.
Care and wear
Shoelace cord locks are cleaned together with the shoe. Sand and mud can get into the mechanism and the button may start to jam – then rinse the cord lock with water while pressing the button several times. With trainers that are machine-washed, remove the laces together with the cord lock and wash them in a mesh bag. If the spring weakens, the cord lock is replaced – it is an inexpensive part compared with the shoe.
Common mistakes
- A clothing stopper with a large hole fitted on a thin lace – it does not hold when walking.
- A hard, angular body that presses on the tongue and the top of the foot.
- Long free ends without aglets that fray and catch.
- An elastic lace tightened too much – the cord lock holds, but the shoe pinches.
You will find spring stoppers in various sizes and colours in the cord stoppers section.
Cord locks for shoes from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer and wholesale supplier of accessories for clothing and footwear based in Sofia. We can select cord locks, laces and aglets as a set, in the same colour and with a custom logo. Send us the type of shoe and the lace specification via our contact page. Minimum quantities depend on the article.
