[No-tie shoelaces] Freelock sneakers that won't come undone every day. How to choose and adjust them based on actual experience.

Every time I squat down at the entrance to tie my shoes again, I pray to myself, "I hope they don't come undone today." The laces get loose on each side as I walk, and on rainy days the ends get wet and heavy. I like sneakers, but the laces themselves are the only little thorns I've ever had.
Freelock sneakers have helped ease that feeling. They are a no-tie shoelace system. I'll share my own experience of feeling a little more free with each step I take every day. First, let me explain what has changed so pleasantly.

table of contents

What has changed? The true nature of comfort revealed through actual experience

Switching to Freelock sneakers (no-tie shoelaces) has made my mornings quieter. I no longer have to bend down to tie my shoes; I just put them on and "turn/click" them on. It's easier to evenly tighten both sides, and my feet feel more stable on the ground.
The long laces don't drag on the ground and reduce blackening on rainy days. They won't come undone when climbing stairs or running, so you can concentrate on your movements. The tightness doesn't change depending on the weather or season, so if you feel swollen during the day, just loosen them one click.
The lack of knots creates a neat and tidy look, and care is easy—just wipe the locking part after you get home. Eliminating these little hassles makes your day feel lighter.

What is Freelock? (A simple explanation of how it works)

Simply put, Freelock sneakers are "no-tie shoelaces." Instead of tying laces, they are secured with a lock, providing a flat surface for support across the entire instep. The appeal is that they won't come undone even when walking, and the fit you decided on that morning stays the same.

Key points of the system

• No knots = no stopping because it can't be untied
• The force is distributed over a surface, making it difficult for one point to penetrate.
• It is less likely to get worn out due to seasonal variations such as cotton strings stretching in the rain or leather strings becoming stiff in the winter.

There are three methods (differences in operation, feel, and maintenance)

• Dial type : Operation = Turn to tighten, pull to loosen / Feel = Uniform pressure that can be easily fine-tuned in clicks / Maintenance = Wipe off sand and mud, parts can be replaced
• Toggle (cord lock) type : Operation = pinch to lock / Feel = light and simple, fastens quickly / Maintenance = simply check the lock and secure the end of the cord
• Stretch lace + lock : Operation = Stretch and put your foot in → Lock / Feel = The fit naturally adjusts due to the stretch / Maintenance = Press wash the lace with a mild detergent → Dry in the shade, wipe with water for the lock

Terminology Notes

• "Surface hold" = The force is distributed over the entire instep, preventing localized pressure.
• "Lock" = Small part that secures the laces (depending on the type, such as dial or toggle)

Experience: Changing to no-tie shoelaces and disappearing "a common occurrence"

This is completely true. If you have at least one common problem, you're likely to be compatible.

• Problems that you can solve without realizing it while walking .<br>No more stopping on the stairs at the station. No more worrying about shoelaces at work.
• The problem of the left and right shoes being tighter than the others is solved by adjusting the dial or toggle to achieve the same tightness, which makes landing more stable. My feet feel a little less tired after I get home.
• The problem of the string being too long and dragging on the ground is gone.<br>The end of the string doesn't touch the ground, so the stress of getting completely black with mud and rainwater is greatly reduced. One less thing to worry about during the rainy season.
• Even double knots can come undone during exercise. <br>You won't have to worry about it coming undone while running or training, and you can concentrate on your movements.
• The problem of cotton strings stretching and leather strings hardening in the rain <br>The tightness doesn't vary much depending on the weather or season, so it's easy to recreate the same fit every time, which is a nice thing.

How to get started and how to make the perfect adjustments (updating your existing shoes)

The procedure is simple:

Steps (start here)

1. Remove the laces → Quickly clean the holes <br> Use a cotton swab and alcohol to wipe away any dust or sand inside the eyelets. Also check the fabric loops for fraying.
2. Threading new laces <br>For outer laces, "blind thread (straight)" is the most stable, and for inner laces, "overlap" is the most stable. For knitwear, regular cross lace is also OK.
3. Decide on the fit and then cut . Stand and put your weight on both feet to achieve the desired fit. Cut just before locking, leaving 5-10mm of slack .
   Edge treatment: Lightly heat poly/nylon → cap, prevent fraying for cotton → cap.
4. Test walking → Fine adjustments <br> 10 to 15 minutes indoors + a few stairs. If there is no discomfort, try walking outdoors.

Cautions and Tips (to avoid failure)

• Wear it slightly tight in the morning and loosen it one click in the afternoon : effective in preventing swelling.
• Tighten it a little on days with lots of slopes and stairs : This will prevent slipping forward and reduce strain on your nails.
• If your instep is high : Leave the top row on the ankle side open /loosen only the center of the instep for comfort.
• Don't cut it too short : It will feel tight the next day. Start with a longer length and then re-cut once you've gotten used to it.
• Make the left and right lengths the same : This prevents unevenness in the tightness and improves the appearance.
• Wipe off any sand or mud on the same day to prevent wear on the locks. Wipe off the dial area as soon as possible.

Notes for each method

• Dial type : Lightly pull the lace once to pre-stretch it , then tighten it with the dial to prevent unevenness.
• Toggle (cord lock) type : Tie the end or attach the included clamp to prevent it from coming loose.
• Elastic lace + lock : Before cutting , bend and stretch a few times to check the return to its original shape. Be careful not to cut too short.

To care for it, gently wash the lace with a mild detergent and then dry it in the shade. Wiping the locking parts with water is sufficient. Sand and mud will accelerate wear on the moving parts, so a quick wipe after returning home will help it last longer.

Which one to choose? Tips for choosing the right one for each purpose and outfit ideas

Guidelines for selection

• Dial type : For those who like fine adjustments and want to align the left and right sides.
• Toggle (cord lock) type : Lightweight and simple, with an emphasis on speed of attachment and removal.
• Stretch lace + lock : For quick slip-ons at the entrance, prioritizing everyday comfort.
• Upper material : Firm materials provide a tight fit, while knit materials provide a comfortable, surface-wrapped feel.
• Maintenance : Check whether the laces or parts can be replaced individually. This will determine whether the bike will last a long time.

Coordination tips

• It looks minimalist when combined with the same color locks, and easily blends into everyday wear.
• Adding accent colors to lace and parts gives a casually sporty look.
• Because the volume of the knot is reduced, the line from the instep to the toes looks neater , so even wide pants don't make your feet feel too heavy.

Summary: Reducing small irritations can change the landscape a little.

They come undone on busy days, the laces become loose due to uneven tightening, and the ends of the laces get blackened in the rain...
Those little thorns quietly disappeared after I switched to Freelock sneakers.
No-tie shoelaces give you the peace of mind that they won't come undone and a nearly "same fit every time," so you can take your mind off your feet whether you're climbing stairs or running. If you feel swollen in the afternoon, just loosen them one click .
I realized that this one little step made my day go by more easily.

First, try leaving the pair you already own untie. If it suits you, we recommend choosing free-lock shoes for your next pair. Bringing back the memory of squatting down at the entrance will brighten your mood for going outside.

▶Click here for a list of Freelock sneakers