Reflective vs Glow in the Dark Laces: What Is the Difference?

Laces you can see in the dark come in two types that are often confused. Reflective laces bounce light back. Glow in the dark laces give off light themselves. That sounds like a detail, but it determines when you see them and what you use them for. This blog compares reflective vs glow in the dark laces: the difference between them, how they work and which to choose for running, cycling or a festival.

In short

• Reflective laces only light up when light falls on them, such as from headlights.
• Glow in the dark laces charge in the light and then glow by themselves in the dark.
• For visibility in traffic, choose reflective.
• For effect at a party, at a festival or on kids’ shoes, choose glow in the dark.
• Neither replaces lights or reflective clothing. They are an addition.

Reflective vs glow in the dark laces: the difference

	Reflective laces	Glow in the dark laces
How does it work?	Woven-in reflective threads bounce light back	The lace absorbs light and slowly releases it in the dark
When do you see them?	When a light source shines on them	In the dark, after charging in the light
For how long?	As long as light falls on them	Strongest right after charging, then the glow fades
Shape and width	Round, 5 mm	Flat, 9 mm
Lengths	100, 120 and 140 cm	120 cm
Best for	Running, walking, cycling, work	Festivals, parties, kids’ shoes

How do reflective laces work?

A reflective lace has threads woven into it that bounce light back in the direction it came from. When a headlight shines on your shoe, the light travels back to the car and the driver sees the lace light up brightly. In daylight and without a light source you see little of it: the lace looks like a normal lace with a fine shimmer.

Your feet are exactly where that pays off. They move the most when you walk or cycle and moving light catches the eye sooner than a stationary surface. The reflective round laces are 5 mm thick and come in eighteen colors, from black and white to neon green and orange. They fit sports shoes, hiking boots, work shoes and sneakers with round laces.

How do glow in the dark laces work?

A glow in the dark lace contains a substance that stores light. Leave the lace in daylight or under a lamp and it charges. In the dark it slowly releases that light again as a soft glow. So no light source is needed to see it.

The glow is strongest in the first minutes after charging and then gradually weakens. The more light the lace has had, the better the effect. A few minutes under a bright lamp or in the sun works faster than an hour in a dim hallway. The glow in the dark laces are flat, 9 mm wide and 120 cm long. By day they are light pastel shades, such as white, ivory white, baby blue and baby pink.

Which do you choose for what?

• Running in the dark: reflective. You want to be seen by traffic with headlights. There is more about laces for runners in the best laces for running shoes.
• Cycling to school or work: reflective. Your feet go round on the pedals and stand out all the more for it.
• Working by the roadside or in the dark: reflective. Also read the best laces for work shoes.
• Walking at dusk: reflective. See the best laces for hiking boots.
• Festival, party or fancy dress: glow in the dark. There the effect is the whole point and there is no headlight nearby.
• Kids’ shoes: glow in the dark is mainly fun. For the bike ride to school in winter, reflective is the safer choice.

Is that enough to be safe in traffic?

No. Reflective laces are an addition to lights on your bike or reflective clothing, not a replacement for them. The surface of a lace is small. Think of it as an extra point that moves and so draws attention. Glow in the dark laces are not a safety product. The glow is too weak to stand out at a distance in traffic.

How do you care for them?

Wash both types by hand in lukewarm water with a little soap and let them air dry. The washing machine and the tumble dryer are hard on the reflective threads. Glow in the dark laces do not need charging separately: they charge by themselves when you wear them during the day. Read more about washing in how to wash shoelaces.

Frequently asked questions

Do reflective laces give off light themselves?

No. They only bounce back light that falls on them. Without a light source you will not see them light up in the dark.

How long do glow in the dark laces glow?

That depends on how long and how brightly they were charged. The glow is strongest right after charging and then slowly fades.

Can you tell by day that a lace is reflective?

Hardly. Up close you see a slight shimmer in the lace. The effect only shows when light shines on it in the dark.

Are there flat reflective laces?

At Veter.nl the reflective laces are round, 5 mm thick. If your shoe has flat laces, check whether a round lace fits through the eyelets. Usually that is not a problem.

Browse the reflective round laces or the glow in the dark laces.