Lace-amatic makes light work of tying and tightening shoe laces

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margin-right: 9px;">HEALTH AND WELLBEING</a> </div>  <h1 id="ar_title">Lace-amatic makes light work of tying and tightening shoe laces</h1> <div class="summary_details_left"> <p>By <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/author/jude-garvey/" rel="author">Jude Garvey</a></p> <p><em>March 10, 2010</em></p> </div> <div class="summary_details_right"> <div class="has_comments"><a href="lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces#comments">2 Comments</a></div> <div class="has_pictures"><a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/picture/112071/">2 Pictures</a></div> </div> </div> <div id="article_share_rail"> <div class="as_button"><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/" data-send="false" data-layout="box_count" data-show-faces="false"></div><script type="text/javascript">_ga.trackFacebook();</script></div> <div class="as_button"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500/http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-via="gizmag">Tweet</a></div> <div class="as_button"><div class="g-plusone" data-size="tall" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/"></div></div> <div class="as_button"><iframe style="overflow: hidden; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; " src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500if_/http://badge.stumbleupon.com/badge/embed/5/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gizmag.com%2Flace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces%2F14462%2F" width="50" height="60" id="iframe-stmblpn-widget-1"></iframe></div> <div class="as_button"><div class="pin-it-button" data-url="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500oe_/http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/" data-image="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/lace-amatic.jpg" data-description="Lace-amatic allows you to tighten and loosen tied shoelaces and get in and out of laced shoes quickly and easily."></div></div> <div class="as_button"><script type="IN/Share" data-counter="top"></script></div> <div class="as_button" id="reddit_button_rail"><script type="text/javascript">reddit_newwindow='1'</script></div>  </div> <div id="hero_box"> <a id="hero_link" href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/picture/112071/"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500im_/http://images.gizmag.com/hero/lace-amatic.jpg" title="Lace-amatic helps with tying and tightening laces and makes slipping on and off laced-up s..." alt="Lace-amatic helps with tying and tightening laces and makes slipping on and off laced-up s..."/> </a> <div class="pic_caption"> <p>Lace-amatic helps with tying and tightening laces and makes slipping on and off laced-up shoes a little easier</p> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/picture/112071/" id="gallery_link">Image Gallery</a> (2 images) </div> <div class="clear_both"></div> </div> <div class="article_body"> <div id="top_unit"></div> <p>When you first see the Lace-amatic shoelace-tying device you could be forgiven for wondering who would need, use or even want this product – after all, isn’t that why we have Velcro shoes? But for people who struggle with dexterity, flexibility or strength or for those who just want to get their shoes on and off quickly, the Lace-amatic makes a lot of sense. It allows you to tighten and loosen tied shoelaces and lets you get knotted shoes on and off in an instant…it’s simple, ergonomically sound and could make a job that many people find difficult, just that little bit easier.</p> <p>The Lace-amatic allows you to slip in and out of laced-up shoes without having to struggle with tight laces and knots. You can even use a foot to undo and loosen your sneakers when you are ready to take them off – making them ideal for triathletes or athletes who need a speedy transition during a sporting event. The lace tension and knotting is pre-selected so every time you wear the shoes they will be a perfect fit. The device does not need a lot of strength or dexterity to operate and the shoes can be tightened and secured with a finger, thumb or the heel of a hand.</p> <p>The device is ideal for people with arthritis, the elderly, single hand and arm amputees or people recovering from post-operative hip or knee surgery. It is made from strong, clear polycarbonate plastic and is weather-resistant, durable, flexible and non-marking. Best of all, you’ll only need to attach it to your shoes once and as it weighs 11 grams (0.38oz), you shouldn’t notice any additional weight.</p> <p>To activate the Lace-amatic, you slide the top seven laces into the lever, the base element is snapped in and the laces can then be loosened or tightened with the lever. Check the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500/http://www.lace-amatic.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Lace-amatic website</a> for details on where to buy the device. Expect to pay US$9.99 for two sets.</p> <p>Via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500/http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/9401/lace-amatic.html" target="_blank">Design Boom</a>.</p>  <span class="title share_bar">Share</span> <div id="article_share_bar" class="dotsontop share_bar"> <div class="as_button fb_as_button"><div class="fb-like" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/" data-send="false" data-layout="box_count" data-show-faces="false"></div><script type="text/javascript">_ga.trackFacebook();</script></div> <div class="as_button"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500/http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-via="gizmag">Tweet</a></div> <div class="as_button"><div class="g-plusone" data-size="tall" data-href="http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/"></div></div> <div class="as_button stumble_as_button"><iframe style="overflow: hidden; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; " src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500if_/http://badge.stumbleupon.com/badge/embed/5/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gizmag.com%2Flace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces%2F14462%2F" width="50" height="60" id="iframe-stmblpn-widget-2"></iframe></div> <div class="as_button"><div class="pin-it-button" data-url="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500oe_/http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/" data-image="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/lace-amatic.jpg" data-description="Lace-amatic allows you to tighten and loosen tied shoelaces and get in and out of laced shoes quickly and easily."></div></div> <div class="as_button"><script type="IN/Share" data-counter="top"></script></div> <div class="as_button" id="reddit_button_bar"><script type="text/javascript">reddit_newwindow='1'</script></div>  </div>   <div id="fm-well-zone" data-cb-ad-id="Content Well 1"> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500js_/http://static.fmpub.net/zone/7980"></script> </div> <div id="bottom_unit" data-cb-ad-id="Content Well 2"></div>  <div style="margin-bottom: 20px"> <div class="OUTBRAIN" data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500oe_/http://www.gizmag.com/lace-amatic-tying-shoe-laces/14462/" data-widget-id="AR_1" data-ob-template="Gizmag"></div> <script type="text/javascript" async="async" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500js_/http://widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js"></script> </div> </div>   <div id="tags"> <span class="title">Tags</span> <div class="dotsontop"> <ul> <li>» <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/athlete/" rel="tag">Athlete</a></li> <li>» <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/tag/shoes/" rel="tag">Shoes</a></li> </ul> <div class="clear_both"></div> </div> </div> <div id="bing_unit"></div>  <span class="title" id="comments">2 Comments</span> <div class="dotsontop"> <div id="comment-17218" class="a_comment"> <p>Neat device, but pretty expensive. After I got tired of loosening laces, I started toggles on my athletic shoes. They only cost about 50 cents each. Being black, they're basically invisible against my black shoes. They're not quite as easy to use, with the preset tension that Lace-amatic offers, but for the price, I'm fine with them. </p> <span class="name">Gadgeteer</span><br> <span class="date"> 11th March, 2010 @ 02:59 pm PST</span> </div> <div id="comment-17575" class="a_comment"> <p>Lace-amatic seems a good deal if it gives instant tightening, knotting & undoing of my shoes. I mean no more squatting on the floor, hopping on one foot for balance, dropping everything to do my laces or even having to bend over to get out of them. </p> <p>Does this seem obvious to anyone else? </p> <span class="name">Facebook User</span><br> <span class="date"> 15th March, 2010 @ 10:01 pm PDT</span> </div> </div> <span class="title">Post a Comment</span> <div class="dotsontop" id="comment_form_div"> <div id="comment_form" data-article="14462"> <div id="comments_login"> <form action="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/index.php" name="login_form" id="login_form" onsubmit="return false;"> <p class="bold">Login with your gizmag account:</p> <p id="login_status"></p> <label for="email">Email</label><input type="text" name="email" id="email" value=""/> <label for="password">Password</label><input type="password" name="password" id="password" value=""/> <input type="submit" value="Log In" class="med"/> <div id="options"> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/register/">Register here</a><br> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/new_password/">Forgotten your password?</a> </div> <input type="hidden" id="expired_comment" value=""/> </form> </div> <div id="facebook_login"> <p>Or <span class="bold">Login with Facebook:</span></p><br/> <div class="fb-login-button" data-scope="email" data-max-rows="1" data-onlogin="loginFUser(14462);" data-autologoutlink="true"></div> </div> </div> <div class="clear_both"></div> </div>  <span class="title">Related Articles</span> <div id="related_articles" class="dotsontop"> <ul> <li> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/rosir-roo-designer-wellies/8142/" title="Rosie Roo gumboots"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500im_/http://images.gizmag.com/related/8142_9100714802.jpg" alt="Rosie Roo gumboots"/> </a> <a class="rel_title" href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/rosir-roo-designer-wellies/8142/">Designer Wellies: fashion meets function for the farm or play time</a> <p class="rel_date">3rd January, 2008</p> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/go/6631/" title="Dance your way to cleanliness – Electrolux Dustmate shoes"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500im_/http://images.gizmag.com/related/6631_18120685939.jpg" alt="Dance your way to cleanliness – Electrolux Dustmate shoes"/> </a> <a class="rel_title" href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/go/6631/">Dance your way to cleanliness – Electrolux Dustmate shoes</a> <p class="rel_date">18th December, 2006</p> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/sterishoe-uses-uv-light-to-eliminate-smelly-shoes/17814/" title="The SteriShoe Shoe Sanitizer uses UV light to kill microorganisms in shoes"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500im_/http://images.gizmag.com/related/stershoe-4.jpg" alt="The SteriShoe Shoe Sanitizer uses UV light to kill microorganisms in shoes"/> </a> <a class="rel_title" href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/sterishoe-uses-uv-light-to-eliminate-smelly-shoes/17814/">SteriShoe uses UV light to eliminate smelly shoes</a> <p class="rel_date">8th February, 2011</p> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/compostable-sneakers-biodegrade-in-soil/17954/" title="OATS Shoes is launching a line of fully compostable sneakers"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500im_/http://images.gizmag.com/related/oats.jpg" alt="OATS Shoes is launching a line of fully compostable sneakers"/> </a> <a class="rel_title" href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/compostable-sneakers-biodegrade-in-soil/17954/">Compostable sneakers make a dirty fashion statement</a> <p class="rel_date">22nd February, 2011</p> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/go/7841/" title="Platform 001's"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500im_/http://images.gizmag.com/related/7841_230807115536.jpg" alt="Platform 001's"/> </a> <a class="rel_title" href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/go/7841/">GPS platform shoes feature hidden safety compartments</a> <p class="rel_date">22nd August, 2007</p> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/re-step-motorized-training-shoes/18240/" title="The Re-Step system can help improve the wearer's mobility"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500im_/http://images.gizmag.com/related/re-step.jpg" alt="The Re-Step system can help improve the wearer's mobility"/> </a> <a class="rel_title" href="/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/re-step-motorized-training-shoes/18240/">Motorized rehabilitation shoes put elderly on shaky ground to improve balance</a> <p class="rel_date">27th March, 2011</p> </li> </ul> <div class="clear_both"></div> </div>  <div id="search_form_bottom"> <form action="https://web.archive.org/web/20140912113500/http://www.gizmag.com/search/" id="cse-search-box-bottom"> <span class="title">Looking for something? 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