The science behind 'yer gonna die' from untied shoes

A new study by mechanical engineers at UC Berkeley finally shows why your shoelaces may keep coming untied. It's a question that everyone asks, often after stopping to retie their shoes, yet one that nobody had investigated until now. The answer, the study suggests, is that a double whammy of stomping and whipping forces acts like an invisible hand, loosening the knot and then tugging on the free ends of your laces until the whole thing unravels.                                

The study is more than an example of science answering a seemingly obvious question. A better understanding of knot mechanics is needed for sharper insight into how knotted structures fail under a variety of forces.

Read more here - Shoe-string theory: Science shows why shoelaces come untied

Somehow we got a person to the moon without this vital information.

also: what kind of monster ties his shoes with the twisted "false knot" version? 

i am always amazed when a basketball player (or other athlete/whatever) has to stop and tie his shoes in the middle of play.  usually while the other team is taking advantage of the situation and scoring...

on  a similar note, i really hate it when approach shoes (or any shoe for that matter) comes with some sort of slippery ass shoelace that has a hard time staying tied even when double knotted.  drives me absolutely crazy.

No double knots needed.

http://www.runnersworld.com/gear-tip/gear-tip-how-to-tie-your-shoes

I always assumed it was micro-fractures in the laces. 

so now here's another question - why don't they make velcro approach shoes???  that would be pretty sweet.

It helps to put one more twist so that the first throw is a double overhand knot. Not only doesn't it come apart, but it doesn't have to be cinched down to remain tied.

My approach and hiking shoes all use the Salomon quick lace system. It's better than velcro.

Wait, are untied shoelaces seriously a problem that adults have? I haven't had my shoes come untied since I turned nine. I figured it was something everyone grows out of when they learned how to tie the laces well.

i have never really liked the solomon system.  you end up with that big loop of string that you have to shove under the tongue thing.  i am not a fan of their shoes in general either.  i would like a lasportiva TX4 with velcro.  same with the evolve cruzer psyche with velcro.  those would be pretty sweet.

i do agree about the double overhand thing - i use that with my boots in a couple places so that i can keep the foot area tight and the shin area a bit more loose.

I saw a TED talk on this, it changed my life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAFcV7zuUDA

I heard that Ted talk while driveing.. never did figuer out how to do it right....

Wait do people really still wear shoes that require laces being tied? I have been wearing sandals longer than I remember.