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Mathematics Unravels Optimum Way To Lace Shoes

Posted by timothy on from the is-with-velcro dept.

Seft writes "The knotty problem of choosing the optimum way of lacing up shoes has been solved by a new mathematical proof. There are many millions of different possibilities but, reassuringly, the proof shows that centuries of human trial and error has already selected out the strongest lacing patterns. However, the pattern using the least amount of lace possible, the decorative "bowtie" lacing, is usually only seen in shoe shop displays"

8 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. Screw shortest.. by sporty · · Score: 4, Funny

    Screw shortest.. i want a way to use my laces that are too long for the shoes i have without buying new ones. Cutting them will only give me frayed eneds.

    -s

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    -
    ping -f 255.255.255.255 # if only

    1. Re:Screw shortest.. by pcmills · · Score: 3, Funny

      Pre flame rule....

      1. Take off shoes!

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      Ask Slashdot - google for stupid people.
  2. Re:I wear shoes without laces. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    This post brought to you by the Run-DMC Memorial Society.

  3. This proof is completely BIASED... by tswinzig · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...towards people with feet!

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    "And like that ... he's gone."
  4. Re:What about single side lacing? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    In Soviet army, boots lace YOU!!

  5. Re:Math != reality by atomicdragon · · Score: 3, Funny

    I found that some of this stuff applies real well to reality. After a term of hard work in a topology class, the most important and practical thing I have learned is that it is impossible to tie shoe laces in four dimensions. Thanks to the work of generations of mathematicians, we know not to use shoe laces if another dimension were ever discovered. If it were not for mathematicians, how else would you be prepared for hiking in the fourth dimension?

  6. A new mathematical proof... by duras · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not for the faint of heart... it uses string theory.

  7. Re:What about single side lacing? by CreateWindowEx · · Score: 2, Funny
    >Now. How about a way of lacing shoes where you only have one crossing of the lace between each pair of holes, but you can still tie in a bow, like 99% of human shoe users do?
    So who are these non-human shoe users, and what do they do with their laces? Or do they have to use a different lacing algorithm because they have three columns of holes instead of two like us humans?