Flats or Ropes?

A pair of crisp white flat laces are classic. If you get a fresh pair, they make your sneakers look clean, regardless of how far out-the-box they are.

By classic, think about this: the first Converse All-Star, or Chuck Taylors as we call these days was made in 1917. Guess what type of laces they used on the original Converse? Flat shoelaces.

(Source: Refinedguy.com)

Flat laces look good, for sure, but they’re also made for functionality. For Chuck Taylors, flat laces can be tied tight, guaranteeing that they wouldn’t come loose. This was important for basketball players in the 1950’s and 60’s, because Chuck Taylors were the primary shoes used.

(Souce: Compendiumblog.com)

Check this out, you’ve got a pair of Chuck lows (or Oxfords) and a pair of Chuck Highs on the hardwood. Imagine crossovers back when dudes only wore Converse. There must have been actual broken ankles all day.

While there’s always a time and a place for the OG flat laces, think about making the switch to some premium rope laces. Rope laces or “round laces” as they were originally called are probably the cleanest looking laces out on the market right now.

Rope laces first came out for boots. Colorful rope laces became a thing in the 1970’s when backpacking and hiking took off. People were rocking bright red rope laces with Danner Boots as a fashion statement. Check the laces on these hiker bros down here—

(Source: Supertopo.com)

This look is coming back though. Red ropes on hiking boots in 2015? Huge in Japan.

(Source: Lafeyete.weblogs.jp)

If you’re big into ASICS, or more specifically the Gel Lyte III’s, you’ve probably seen a pair out in the wild that have been laced up with ropes. Something about the rope laces just look better on here.

Now this isn’t the 1950’s, so you don’t have to worry about tying your laces as tight as possible. Even if you’re a ball player, you’re probably not wearing a pair of ASICS on the court. Even though you don’t have to worry about you laces staying tied, our premium rope laces are the best out on the market.