I’m self-taught when it comes to shoe lace tying. I vaguely recall refusing help from my parents as a child, convinced I could figure it out on my own. And I did. Sort of.

The knot I learned is the granny knot. It would plague my laced shoes well into my 30s, usually accented by the goiter of shoe lace knots, the dreadful double knot.

Then, in January 2010, I discovered this article on Lifehacker.com. I’m now completely off granny knots (and double knotting) and have fully embraced the reef knot.

My commitment to the reef knot was validated recently when I came across episode 2, season 1 of Put This On (putthison.com). In this episode titled Shoes, they explain proper shoe lace tying technique beginning at the 8:18 mark, but check out the entire 10 minute episode and learn plenty about quality men’s footwear.

p.s. Really, Trent? The goiter of shoe lace knots?