What Are Teddy Laces? How to Wear and Care for Them

They look as if your sneaker has pulled on a jumper. Teddy laces are soft, fluffy laces that you see more and more often on chunky runners and retro sneakers. They are also called fluffy laces. The look is striking, but they are still laces that you lace and tie like any other pair. So what are teddy laces, which versions are there, which shoes do they fit and how do you keep them looking good? This blog has the answers.

In short

• Teddy laces have a soft, fluffy texture that adds volume to your sneaker.
• There are two versions: oval in 8 mm and wide in 15 mm.
• The oval teddy laces fit most sneakers. The wide ones need large eyelets.
• Lace them loosely, so the texture does not get flattened.
• They are laces for dry weather. Wash them by hand and never put them in the tumble dryer.

What are teddy laces?

Teddy laces are laces with a fluffy surface, like the fabric of a teddy coat. They are made of cotton with polyester and have a soft, fuzzy outer layer. That makes them look thicker than they are and fills out the lacing of your shoe. The effect is a warm, soft look that is especially popular in autumn and winter.

They come from the sneaker world. You mostly see them on chunky runners and retro running sneakers, where the chunky sole and the many layers in the upper call for a lace with volume.

Which teddy laces are there?

Version	Shape and width	Lengths	Suits
Oval teddy laces	Oval base, 8 mm	120 cm	Most sneakers with regular eyelets
Wide teddy laces	Flat, 15 mm	120 and 140 cm	Chunky sneakers with large eyelets

The oval teddy laces come in twelve colors, from sail, grey and black to pink, lilac and pastel green. The wide teddy laces come in white, sail, grey, black and pink. You will find them all together under teddy laces.

Do teddy laces fit my shoe?

The 8 mm oval teddy laces fit virtually any sneaker that currently has 8 mm flat laces or oval laces. Because of the fluffy outer layer, they run through the eyelet a little less smoothly than a smooth lace. So take your time lacing and pull on the aglet, not on the texture.

The 15 mm wide teddy laces need large eyelets. Test it with the aglet: if it goes through the smallest eyelet without forcing, the lace fits. Fabric loops and large eyelets without a metal ring work best. If you are unsure about the size, check the shoelace width guide.

Teddy laces are not meant for dress shoes, sports shoes or hiking boots. This is a lace for the look.

How do you lace and tie teddy laces?

• Lace loosely: if you pull them tight, you flatten the texture and the effect disappears. Let the lace lie across the tongue with a little room.
• Keep wide teddy laces flat: stop the band from twisting in the eyelet. How to do that is explained in how to lace wide laces.
• Tie as normal: the fluffy texture gives plenty of grip in the knot. A single bow stays tied.
• Or tuck them away: if you only want to show the lacing, tuck the ends into the shoe. See how to hide shoelaces.

The oval teddy laces are 120 cm. That suits low-top sneakers with 6 or 7 eyelets per side. For the wide version, choose 140 cm if in doubt, because a wide lace uses a little more length. The length per number of eyelets is in the shoelaces length guide.

Which color teddy laces should you choose?

Because the texture already stands out, a muted color works best. Sail and grey go with almost any sneaker in cream, beige and grey tones. Black gives a dark sneaker extra depth. If you do want an eye-catcher, choose a pastel color that is echoed in a detail of your shoe. The general rules are in what color laces go with your shoes.

How do you keep teddy laces looking good?

The fluffy outer layer holds on to dirt and moisture more readily than a smooth lace. With a little care they stay looking good for a long time.

• Wear them in dry weather: rain and mud leave the texture flat and dirty. In bad weather, switch to your regular laces.
• Brush them up: go over them now and then with a soft, dry brush. That removes dust and lifts the texture again.
• Wash by hand: use lukewarm water with a little mild soap. Squeeze them out gently and do not wring.
• Let them air dry: lay them flat. The tumble dryer and the radiator are too hot for the fibres.

Read more about washing and drying in how to wash shoelaces.

Frequently asked questions

Are teddy laces the same as fluffy laces?

Yes. They are two names for the same soft, fluffy lace.

Do teddy laces come undone easily?

No. On the contrary, the rough texture gives plenty of grip in the knot.

Do teddy laces lose their fluff?

In normal use the texture stays intact. Where the lace rubs through the eyelet, it becomes a little flatter over time.

Are there thicker alternatives without fluff?

Yes. Fat oval laces, rope laces and wide laces add volume too. The comparison is in thick laces for sneakers.

Browse all colors of teddy laces.