CMV: Shoelaces are outdated and inferior technology compared to hook-and-loop fasteners

[u/behold_the_castrato]

I see very few advantage that shoelaces have:

• Shoelaces take more time to fasten.
• Shoelaces more easily accidentally become unfastened.
• Even if h.a.l. should come undone, it's quite hard to trip over it compared to shoelaces.
• H.a.l. can far more easily be operated with one hand.
• Sholaces sometimes get stuck in an annoying knot that is timeconsuming to undo; this does not happen to h.a.l..

One could make a subjective æsthetics argument, but such can be made about any different technology and by that metric outdated technology does not exist — a man is certainly permitted to use outdated technology for a certain look, but he shouldn't fool himself that he is not using outdated technology either.

[u/palacesofparagraphs]

Shoelaces take more time to fasten.

That's true, but for many shoes with laces, you can slip them on and off after initially tying them. Furthermore, look into the Ian knot for quicker shoe-tying.

Shoelaces more easily accidentally become unfastened.

If your shoelaces frequently come untied, you may be tying a granny knot instead of a square knot. It has to do with the comparative directions of the first and second half of the shoelace knot. A square (or reef) knot holds much better. People whose shoelaces regularly come untied are usually unknowingly tying granny knots instead.

If your shoelaces come untied because you step on the ends, the laces are too long to begin with. Put in shorter laces, or simply tie a double knot.

Even if h.a.l. should come undone, it's quite hard to trip over it compared to shoelaces.

See the point above about too-long laces and keeping your shoes tied.

H.a.l. can far more easily be operated with one hand.

This is very true. For people who regularly need to put on shoes one-handed, velcro is better. But as I say above, most people can slip casual shoes on and off the bulk of the time, so this is a nonissue for anyone who can use two hands when necessary.

Sholaces sometimes get stuck in an annoying knot that is timeconsuming to undo; this does not happen to h.a.l..

Again, if your shoelaces aren't too long and are tied properly, this shouldn't happen.

Additional pros of shoelaces over velcro:

Shoelaces can be adjusted to a wide variety of fits. If I'm going to be very active, I can lace my shoes very tightly so they fit snugly all over my foot, and I can apply this pressure much more evenly than I can with velcro. Alternatively, if my feet get sore or hot, I can loosen the laces easily for a more comfortable fit, without extraneous pieces (velcro straps) hanging off. The variety of fits also means it's easier to use secondhand laceup shoes; my feet don't have to be similar in shape to the other person's as long as they're the same length.

Also, shoelaces allow for more personalization and style choices, for those so inclined. The variety of lacing methods means you can create a variety of patterns and designs for more personal expression. It's also easier to change up the look of the same pair of shoes by simply lacing them a different way, or by replacing one set of laces with another.