An aglet is the small plastic or metal tip on the end of a shoelace. It holds the lace fibers together so they don't fray, and it gives you a stiff, narrow end that's easy to push through an eyelet. When an aglet breaks or falls off, the fibers spread out and the lace gets harder and harder to thread.
Below we cover what aglets are made of, how they're attached, where else you'll find them, how to replace a broken one, and where the word comes from.
What Is an Aglet and What Part of a Shoelace Is It?
The aglet is the cap or sheath that covers the last half inch or so of a shoelace. It isn't the lace end itself; it's the piece attached to it. So if you've ever wondered what the plastic tip on a shoelace is called, or the metal tip, or the lace-end cap, the answer to all of them is aglet.
You'll sometimes see it spelled aiglet. That's an older spelling that comes from the French word aiguillette.
What Does an Aglet Do?
An aglet has three jobs:
It stops fraying. Laces are woven or braided fibers, and an open end starts coming apart with every tie and pull. The aglet keeps those fibers bundled.
It stiffens the tip. A short rigid section gives you something to grip and push, while the rest of the lace stays flexible enough to tie.
It makes lacing easier. A smooth, narrow tip slides through eyelets without strands catching on the edges, which matters most when you're relacing a whole shoe.
Are Aglets Necessary for Shoelaces?
Not strictly. A lace without aglets will still tie your shoe. But the bare ends fray quickly, turn soft and wide, and become a pain to thread. Tape or thread can hold things together for a while, but a properly attached aglet lasts much longer.
What Are Aglets Made Of?
Most aglets are plastic or metal. The material changes how stiff the tip is, how long it lasts, and how it looks.
Plastic. The standard on everyday laces. It's light, can be molded or wrapped around the lace, and comes in any color or size.
Heat-shrink polymer. A plastic sleeve that tightens around the lace when heated, squeezing the fibers into a slim tip. This is also the easiest kind to apply at home.
Acetate. Cellulose acetate is another plastic option that forms a smooth, firm sheath. It belongs to the same polymer family as the plastic tips above.
Brass. A copper and zinc alloy that gives a rigid tip and a gold-toned metallic finish. Brass aglets are usually crimped on and are popular for decorative laces.
Copper. Reddish metal tips that develop a patina over time as air and moisture react with the surface.
How Are Aglets Attached to Shoelaces?
The method depends on the material. Whatever the method, the aglet has to stay put through a lot of pulling, bending, and threading.
Molding: plastic is formed directly around the lace end during manufacturing, which gives a smooth, uniform tip.
Wrapping: a thin strip of material is wound tightly around the lace end to bind the fibers.
Crimping: a preformed metal tip, usually brass or copper, is pressed closed around the lace. Done right, it grips without crushing the lace.
Gluing: adhesive bonds the tip to the fibers. How well it holds depends on the glue and on both materials.
Heat shrinking: a heat-shrink sleeve contracts around the lace, so shaping and attaching happen in the same step.
What Shape and Design Do Aglets Have?
Most aglets are slim tubes, sized to the lace so they add almost no width. The tip is usually rounded or slightly pointed to lead the lace into an eyelet. They can be clear (so the lace shows through), colored to match or contrast with the lace, or bare metal, with a matte, glossy, or polished finish. The finish is mostly about looks; it doesn't change what the aglet does.
What Makes an Aglet Durable?
A long-lasting aglet comes down to three things. The material has to resist cracking, so plastic tips can't be brittle and metal tips have to hold their shape. It has to be attached securely, or it will slide off the lace. And it has to stand up to rubbing against fingers and eyelets. Once the surface wears through, the fibers underneath start to fray.
Can Aglets Be Decorative or Customized?
Yes. Aglets come in custom colors and finishes, and brands often print, engrave, or emboss logos and initials on them. Brass and copper tips with engraved or shaped details are a common way to dress up a pair of laces, and swapping aglets is an easy way to finish off a custom pair of sneakers. None of this changes how the tip protects the lace.
Are Aglets Used on Things Other Than Shoelaces?
Yes. You'll find the same kind of tip on hoodie and pants drawstrings, bag cords, and other garment laces, where it does the same job: keeps the end from fraying and gives you something to grab. Historically, aglets were also used on ribbons and clothing laces, often as decoration. The word is most closely tied to shoelaces, though, and not every cord-end fitting is technically an aglet; some have their own names.
What Happens When an Aglet Breaks or Comes Off?
The lace end starts to fray right away. Every tie and pull loosens more fibers, the tip goes soft and wide, and threading it through an eyelet gets frustrating because the strands bend and snag. Left alone, the damage creeps up the lace and shortens the usable end. Replacing the aglet stops it.
Can a Broken or Missing Aglet Be Replaced?
Yes. Fit a new plastic, heat-shrink, or metal tip over the exposed end. Match it to the lace's diameter so it fits tightly and doesn't pull off.
What Can Be Used as a Replacement for an Aglet?
Heat-shrink tubing and metal lace tips are the durable options. Tape or tightly wrapped thread work as a quick fix. Whatever you use, the result should be firm, narrow, and secure enough to pass through an eyelet.
How Can You Make a Homemade Aglet?
Trim the frayed end and twist the fibers into a tight point. Slide a short piece of heat-shrink tubing over it and heat it carefully until it shrinks around the lace. If you don't have tubing, wrapping the end tightly in tape works as a temporary repair. Check that the finished tip still fits through your eyelets.
What Is the History of the Aglet?
Aglets date back at least to the 15th century, when metal tips finished the ends of laces on clothing and shoes. The name comes from the Old French aiguillette, from aiguille, meaning "needle," after the fitting's narrow, pointed shape. Early aglets were metalwork, and many were decorative as well as functional.
Plastic tips became common on everyday shoelaces as manufacturing improved, while metal aglets stuck around for decorative and specialty laces. You'll often read that Harvey Kennedy invented the modern aglet in 1790, but reliable historical records don't back that up. The aglet developed gradually from clothing fasteners into the lace tip we know now.
How Were Aglets Historically Used on Clothing and Ribbons?
Aglets were fitted to the laces, cords, and ribbons that fastened clothing, and they doubled as ornaments. Some surviving examples are made of precious metals, including gold.
What Is the Difference Between an Aglet and an Eyelet?
The aglet is the tip on the end of the lace. The eyelet is the hole in the shoe the lace goes through. One belongs to the lace, the other to the shoe.
| Feature | Aglet | Eyelet |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Protective shoelace tip | Opening for a shoelace |
| Location | End of the shoelace | Shoe upper |
| Main function | Contains fibers and forms a firm lace tip | Guides and holds the lace |
| Common materials | Plastic or metal | Fabric, metal, or reinforced material |
| Relationship | Passes through the eyelet | Receives the aglet and shoelace |
| Grommet relation | Not a grommet | May be reinforced with a grommet |
Where Can You Buy Replacement Aglets?
Shoe-care suppliers, footwear accessory shops, craft and sewing stores, and online shoelace retailers all carry them, in plastic, heat-shrink, brass, copper, and other metals. Before buying aglets, check your lace diameter, the aglet length and material, how it attaches, and the size of your eyelets so the new tips fit tightly and still slide through.
