Cheap vs. Expensive Shoelaces: Which Are Best for You?

We'll examine which price point for shoelaces provides the best value: gentl.mn/cheap-vs-expensive-shoelaces
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00:00 Introduction: Defining Cheap vs. Expensive
Is there actually a difference between cheap and expensive dress shoe laces? Our short answer is yes, but what distinguishes cheap and expensive shoelaces? And what makes the most sense for your need, budget, and style?
Multipacks of replacement shoelaces on Amazon feature pairs of laces that cost less than $1 each, and that’s typical of the cheap laces. We define “expensive” as anything over $7, which, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t a huge amount of money.
01:00 Materials
02:43 Construction
05:13 Correct Length
06:32 Suitability to Footwear Type
07:21 Color Variety
08:10 Casual or Formal Elements
09:07 Accessibility
09:40 Testing
Laces tend to serve two functions: to replace your current laces or to change up the look of your shoes. In both cases, cheap laces largely lose out. If replacing laces, you want a durable, well-made product that will last as long or longer than the originals.
Conversely, expensive laces will stand up to the wear and tear of daily use thanks to their quality materials and construction and can breathe new life into an old pair of shoes with their elegant appearance and a rainbow of color options.
11:57 Outfit Rundown
#shoelaces #expensive #notsponsored

[@OffOfTheCuff]

I know you guys want to be neutral but you need to start using brand names as examples because you've clearly sampled many brands and without that info this is all just theoretical-- unless we are going to just try every brand to see whether they meet these standards (few brands or retailers can tell customers whether a product has these details)

[@lobsteroverrun]

it isn't neutral. they plug their own brand.

[@OffOfTheCuff]

@@lobsteroverrun Well then this content is not very useful because as good as their products are, whoever makes them invariably sells them through other channels at cheaper prices

[@mickosullivan2962]

I really enjoyed your video , it was chock full of great information about a very overlooked aspect of dressing well . Keep up the great work !

[@TheRefinedGentleman]

Not sure if anyone here uses Saphir shoe care products, but I've found their shoelaces to be of a superb quality with a good variety of colours and thicknesses for different applications. My issues with the so-called "cheap shoelaces," is the fact that the aglets (plastic tips on the ends) disintegrate rather quickly when there's still plenty of life left in the laces, which then start to fray at the ends. This happened to me all the time as a kid with the laces on my tennis shoes. I also find the cheaper dress laces rather chunky on average, as they make them thicker to give added strength due to the poor construction. In conclusion, the more expensive laces last longer, look more elegant and come in a larger variety of styles compared to the cheaper ones.

[@r.mercado9737]

Outstanding commentary! Semper Fi

[@user-su2pg4lq3x]

Good insight into buying quality shoelaces and where to buy. I would usually buy replacement shoelaces from where I purchased the shoes (online)if they sold them if they did not buy from another reputable company and try to match as best as possible.

[@pete3198]

I found this interesting. I used to buy mostly Allen Edmonds shoes and never had an issue with their laces, but over the past year or two I've been moving towards Carmina shoes for a couple of reasons: a) I find their lasts and overall styling to be a little sleeker and more elegant b) I live in Australia, and the Carmina shoes are actually around the same price (if not cheaper) c) I have large instep which makes finding shoes that fit well difficult, and Carmina's MTO option allows me to design any shoe style I want in a last that I know will fit Since I started buying Carmina shoes I've had regular issues with the supplied laces snapping. I've had some pairs snap the first time I tried to tie up the shoe, I've had some pairs snap when tying then up after a couple of weeks of use, and ive even had a couple of pairs snap on me while I was out wearing the shoes. I expect you have all owned your share of Carmina shoes - have you ever experienced this issue?

[@gentlemansgazette]

Jack here - no snapped laces on my pair of Carminas, but my pair is several years old at this point, so it may be a newer supplier they're using for the laces?

[@pete3198]

@@gentlemansgazette Thanks Jack, I appreciate the response! I did just realise that all three pairs that I had issues with were were dress boots, and all ordered within about 18 months of each other, so it's possible that they just had a bad batch of boot laces. I recently purchased some Adelaide Oxfords in navy museum, and I have worn them 3-4 times without any issues. Either way, I just orderd a whole bunch of laces from your store so I expect I'll have better luck with those!

[@gentlemansgazette]

@@pete3198 My pleasure! I hope you enjoy your new Fort Belvedere laces 😄

[@SquillyBR]

Request: I would like to ask if you guys could make a video on a “working class” spin on classic menswear? Like the cultural “opposition” to old money. Cheers!

[@walterfoyt5985]

You should consider a video on why European men dress so much better the American men. I’m not saying that most American men have bad style, it’s really that most American men have no discernible style at all.

[@teekue]

Not in Germany they don't. 😂

[@Linusgump]

It’s interesting that you say that. Even in jeans and a t shirt the European clothing styles are a little more fancy and nicer looking.

[@gentlemansgazette]

We've explored why Italian style looks so good - which other European countries do you think are stylish? www.gentlemansgazette.com/italian-men-stylish/?

[@observateurdecemonde]

I have been looking for a long time to create my own laces from long-sized cord. The difficulty then lies in installing the aglets yourself. Do you know a way to do this?

[@rokmk2777]

Hello! I would love to see a video about some solutions for elegantly carrying your everyday items. A stylish alternative for a bumbag. During summer, when I only have to pockets on my trousers, it is very difficuilt to carry my phone, wallet, keys, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Either my pockets are bulky or I have an unstylish bag. Please help!

[@gentlemansgazette]

Jack here - I personally carry a leather tote as a bumbag doesn't fit my style. An attache case is a wonderfully elegant solution, but I admit it isn't always the easiest to retrieve things on the move, hence the tote wins for me: www.gentlemansgazette.com/timeless-or-trend-tote-bags/?

[@rokmk2777]

@@gentlemansgazette Thanks, bit they're not really my cup of tea. They are too big for my needs and I've personally never seen someone wearing it where I live.

[@gentlemansgazette]

@@rokmk2777 In which case, a small leather folio or pouch might fit the bill. They look similar to a laptop sleeve, and with minimal detail in a high quality leather they can look rather elegant. Several very stylish people I know in London use them for their EDC.

[@SonnySanVista]

Are there more videos about reviewing your products? If not I would like to see more.

[@gentlemansgazette]

You can find many on the channel, Ethan!

[@martindouglass3248]

I had this discussion at a holiday get together. Someone asked me about how my dress shoe laces always stayed tight and looked great when i wore them. When I told them most of my laces were $9 a pair they all laughed at me. When I asked them how many times they bent over to re-tie their shoes when they wear them, the room went quiet. I’m sure several eBay sellers had a good January because of that conversation lol Great video as always- thanks for the continued quality content.

[@AmmarAbotouk]

what brand is yours ?

[@gentlewolf]

flat or round: that is the question

[@mph7282]

I am a fan of flat laces on oxfords where they are bar laced. I prefer round laces on shoes with cross lacing. That just looks right to me.

[@gentlewolf]

@@mph7282 smart!

[@chiquita683]

Flat earth

[@gentlemansgazette]

Indeed it is! Which do you prefer?

[@Manuel421]

Any affordable brands you'd recommend for a pair of Derbys or Wingtip Oxfords? Otherwise hopefully the thrift store will have some treasures next time I go as sadly $500 is really steep for me even though I do understand that at that price quality will be among the best. With that said I imagine that you gents probably aren't fans of Beckett Simonon or Johnston and Murphy based on previous ranking videos which is completely fine. I totally respect that:) Keep up the good work.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Our recommendations in this list may surprise you! 😉 www.gentlemansgazette.com/best-mens-dress-shoes/?

[@Manuel421]

@@gentlemansgazette Will definitely check them out. Thank you so much.

[@nicolecrystal6765]

Hi. I love your videos-may I ask is that a Russian accent ? :) I wrote that before I saw video- where's the host ???

[@esteemedenergy]

One of those videos that you never knew you needed to watch.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Glad to hear it fit the bill! 😄

[@williamkazak469]

Where do you recommend getting laces?

[@gentlemansgazette]

There are a number of vendors out there, and you'll be able to come across a pair of top-notch laces using the information in the video - of course, we make high-quality shoelaces, too! www.gentlemansgazette.com/cheap-vs-expensive-shoelaces/?

[@frankmartinez4856]

Always try to find good laces 😳for my dress shoes(two tones) store only sell cheap type laces 😬

[@gabrielvillegas6071]

I would like to see other colours of satin shoelaces sold by fort belvedere, brown would be a good option.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Interesting idea!

[@hassanabbasi2263]

Please make a video on stylish men in history and start with Jinnah. That man knew how to dress.

[@brandonbandstra226]

I need laces for a clients new boots. this DOES MATTER

[@drip369]

How...knotty

[@gentlemansgazette]

😂

[@dirkniblickable]

Been watching you guys for ages now and I’m sad that you moved away from “Welcome back to the Gentlemen’s Gazette!” and the old intro music.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Our theme is still in the videos! 😉 The data simply shows that we reach a wider audience with a shorter introduction

[@grantrennie]

Would anybody be interested in buying high quality shoe laces if I were to start selling them as a new business? I've been offered by a luxury manufacturer so am interested to see if there is any interest before I take the leap ..

[@chumbucketjones9761]

I spent top dollar on my shoe laces. Now I'm a real man.

[@PocketsandOutlaw]

Sorry but I'm not sold on this one. Shoelaces are shoelaces. Maybe a middle-ground is best but they're literally 2 strings to hold your shoes together. They're going to break down at the same rate.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Hopefully the video showcases that even cheap shoelaces are more than just two strings? There's a surprising amount of thought that goes into making a pair of shoelaces

[@World_360.3]

😂😂

[@flamberge8791]

As usual, the devil is in the details.

[@user-jl2dw5br8b]

What am i watching!? 🍉😂

[@gentlemansgazette]

Well, there was nothing to do with watermelons in the video, so it seems we're both experiencing issues here! 😅

[@chiquita683]

I buy elastic laces so I dont have to tie my shoes. Big brain energy

[@andrewx8888]

I just have Velcro. Never needs to be replaced.

[@OC-CPA]

Same. They're so much more convenient. But I only use them for sneakers, not dress shoes or dressy (including chukkha) boots.

[@DenisZaharenko]

It really seems like you are running out of good ideas. I'm sorry but someone had to say it

[@leerhode1021]

You said it, now do you want a sugar cookie? 🍪🥠 Smh…

[@DenisZaharenko]

@@leerhode1021 My most humble apologies. I was not aware of the fact that you would take my comment as an offense against the Gentlemen's Gazette, as it is mere criticism which is a valuable asset in my eyes. That being said, I would in fact like a sugar cookie.

[@DenisZaharenko]

@@fuckoff187 It's propably because you are a troll. I am merely speaking out what me and many others in the classic menswear community have noticed.

[@leerhode1021]

@@DenisZaharenko My most humble apologies as well, I did perceive your comment as some unmerited snark, and something that really did not need to be said. I found the topic very interesting, because I did not know as much information regarding expensive shoelaces vs cheaper laces. This content creator did a good job imparting this knowledge. Hey, skip on down to your local bakery for that sugar cookie, there is one with your name on it.

[@DenisZaharenko]

@@leerhode1021 Quite the opposite my friend. I only mean the best for this channel