Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.
Never worry about a lace getting stuck in your spokes again.
Stretch shoelaces don’t just simplify your cycling footwear, they increase your safety by eliminating the chances of a shoelace coming untied and getting caught in a pedal or other bike components. Additionally, while traditional laces can create constricting pressure points, stretch laces have even tension across the shoe, meaning more comfort over long periods of time.
Stretch laces are meant to be fastened quickly and easily without tying or long tails. This means they won’t come undone when you’re pedaling, and make for a faster transition in and out of shoes. Elastic-style laces stretch when you put your foot into the shoe—which helps save the heel counter—and then snap back securely into place once your foot is securely in the footbed. The laces stay at the perfect tension, and depending on what style you choose, can be tensioned at each eyelet and adjusted based on comfort or potential foot swelling. Here are our top picks for stretch shoelaces for your next bike ride.
Stretch shoelaces are made either from rubber or a fabric-elastic combination. A rubber shoelace will stretch and return to its set tension more consistently than a fabric lace, but won’t be as durable. So while you might have to adjust fabric laces more frequently, you have more options for tension and a longer lifespan.
There are a few different closure (fastening) styles for stretch laces. Some come with a small “buckle” that can be loosened or tightened in one pull, while others are made to stay at one tension, stretching to slide your foot in or out and then bouncing back to the correct tension. There are pros and cons to both, as some people will appreciate the option of loosening or tightening with the slider, while others prefer the low-maintenance option of set-and-forget tension.
Not all stretch shoelaces are created equal, so we looked at a few different styles to get the best variety and widest range of options for hassle-free lacing. We looked at elastic, polyester, and rubber laces with different degrees of stretch, as well as various tensioning options for customized fits. The laces listed here range from individual rubber laces to stretch laces that look just like traditional styles.
These fun-looking laces have a patented “elastic bump,” which ensures secure tension in each row as you lace them up, creating a more even tensioning across the shoe as opposed to a single knot.
These laces are super comfortable, thanks to the even tension, allowing your feet to swell and return to normal without you having to make adjustments to your laces. These are also long-lasting, and should do just fine for the entire lifespan of your shoes.
These stretch shoelaces look like traditional laces, with the same patterning and a bow-style closure, but the stretch factor means once they’re installed, you’ll rarely have to adjust or retie them.
The Stretchlaces are available in flat or round styles, and come in a wide variety of colors and sizes for a custom fit. These are secure and stay put, and the variety of length options means you can order longer lengths for heel lock lacing or other lacing techniques.
These bungee-style laces have a secure locking system, and the 48-inch length can stretch up to 72 inches, thanks to the elastic weave. These laces have an element of compression for more security, but this means you’ll have to make sure the lacing system and tension are even to avoid pressure points, and they might take some adjusting.
The plastic cap keeps these laces from coming undone, and the slider smoothly locks into place for a single-tug action to tie the shoes.
This set of laces are made with a “zero-memory” elastic rubber, which helps them stay in place throughout the day. They come with proprietary lace anchors, which help secure their position and tension while maintaining even pressure across the tops and sides of your feet. We love the simplicity of the design and the wide variety of color options, and for all the laces on this list, these require perhaps the least adjustment throughout their lifespan.
These unique laces are made from a flexible rubber called thermoplastic elastomer, and come in a set of 14 (seven per shoe). They cross horizontally through the eyelets, and each one can be set at the right tension for each particular part of your foot. There are several ways to install these for a standard, tight, or looser fit.
The benefit to having an individual lace for each set of eyelets is custom tension across different parts of your foot, but these tend to wear out faster than other models, especially at their contact points with the shoe.
These laces are similar to other locking systems, but we love that they’re made entirely with recycled materials. The lace cord is made from Coolmax EcoMade recycled elastic, and the plastic buckles are made from recycled material, as well.
These buckles hold the laces securely in place, and are one of the “fast lace” systems that require you to simply tighten the cord, thus eliminating any dangling parts. These help your shoes conform better to your feet, but like other similar systems, you might need to readjust for pressure points.
These laces were made specifically for cyclists. They are wide and flat for secure positioning, and are made of an ultra-durable microfiber that can take seasons of use and abuse. These are essentially an upgrade to your standard laces on cycling shoes, with a more secure tie and longer-lasting build.
They come in a few length options with just a few inches of difference, and are available in bright, fun colors, though some of the hues are hard to find at retail locations.
These super secure laces have a rubberized grip patterning to make sure they never slide, and the slider buckle is ergonomically designed and easy to maneuver, even with frozen or wet fingers. These laces are tightly woven and don’t fray, and the ends clip off neatly if you want to make the laces shorter to avoid dangling ends.
Like the other laces in this style, you might have to adjust the threading to keep the pressure even and avoid pressure points, but once you've figured out what's most comfortable for your foot, you should be good to go.