A better way to tie gym shorts (or any drawstring) [video]
A YouTube tutorial on using a slipped Lapp knot to tie gym shorts prompts wide interest in more secure, adjustable ways to fasten drawstrings and shoelaces, especially on slippery modern materials. Commenters compare the method to simpler options (double knots, cord locks, or buying better-fitting clothes) and note trade-offs between ease of adjustment, reliability, and the risk of knots jamming. The thread broadens into knot craft more generally, with people recommending a small “core set” of versatile knots—like the bowline, alpine butterfly, trucker’s hitch, and Ian’s secure shoelace knot—and reflecting on when optimizing everyday micro-tasks is worthwhile versus just adding complexity.
Core reaction to the drawstring knot video
- Many find the knot (a slipped Lapp knot) genuinely useful: it cinches tightly, resists slipping on slick drawstrings, and can be loosened or tightened without untying.
- Several users report adopting it long-term with good results; others say it eventually jams or becomes hard to untie, or that they end up with very uneven string lengths.
- Some commenters struggle with flat or thick cords, calling the knot “finicky” and noting mixed success depending on cord material.
- A subset finds the technique overcomplicated and prefers simpler variations: double wraps in the initial overhand, “bunny ears” done with reversed direction, or just tying the same bow more firmly.
Identification, alternatives, and simplicity vs. optimization
- The knot is identified as a (slipped) Lapp knot / Lapp bend; some initially misidentify it as a sheet bend.
- Some argue you can get most of the benefit with a tight double square/reef knot before the bow, or by using cord locks instead of knots.
- There’s a recurring theme of “life is too short to overthink drawstrings” versus “five minutes of learning can pay off over decades.”
- A minority says if you must regularly tie drawstrings, your clothes are the wrong size; others counter that professions like nursing or heavy use cases make better knots worthwhile.
Shoelace knots and related techniques
- The discussion frequently drifts to shoelace knots: faster or more secure “instant” bow methods, and variants that add an extra wrap for security while staying easy to release.
- A specific “secure” shoelace knot is widely praised as superior to ordinary or “double” bows, especially for slippery, round laces.
- Multiple comments highlight that many people unknowingly tie a granny knot instead of a proper square knot, causing laces to come undone easily.
Broader knot culture and learning
- The thread expands into which 4–5 knots are most worth learning, covering bends, hitches, loops, and friction/adjustable knots, with long lists of candidates.
- Some see knots as a practical, almost daily skill; others treat them as a hobby or fidget activity and enjoy refining small efficiencies.