2 minute read
Ttweggo no-tie shoelaces – innovative and unique, replacing the humble shoelace
by Media Xpose
Ttweggo no-tie shoelaces –
We are living in an age where man has walked on the moon. Technology has progressed at a phenomenal rate, making every aspect of our daily lives more comfortable. Sneaker manufacturers have huge R&D facilities where the focus is on improving their products, but the component that is the least consumer friendly is being ignored. The shoelace!
Fides Trading found this unacceptable, and for many years have worked to find something innovative and unique that could replace the humble shoelace. During the design process of various other consumer products, they designed a latching system in urethane that could tighten and release with a flick of the wrist. They realised that this could possibly be used as a system to replace shoelaces and fitted these strips from eyelet to opposing eyelet, on the sneakers. The results were encouraging.
With this as a basis for the concept, Fides Trading worked on developing a system that could easily be adapted to fit into existing sneakers. It took many years of extensive development, using the latest R&D and with a team of specialist designers and with much trial and error; finally a product was made that met all the requirements. Consumer friendly, easy to fit to existing sneakers, comfortable, and visually appealing, and using urethane due to its excellent wear, elasticity and tear resistant properties.
Ttweggo Laces were created by a team of industrial designers with a singular passion – to create a simple, usable device to replace conventional shoelaces.
Once the basis of the design had been established, work commenced to develop the Ttweggo system, comprising single flexible strips that connect opposing eyelets. Mushroom shaped studs were fitted to the holes in the eyelets to which the flexible strips could be attached.
After a few years of many prototypes, evaluation and rigorous testing, the design was finalised – a world-first system using studs fitted to eyelets and colourful strips of urethane laces clicked onto the studs.
Conventional sneakers are turned into slip-ons. When the sneakers are washed the Ttweggo strips can be clipped off and washed separately. As a fashion item, the possibilities are endless! Colours can be mixed and matched and the Ttweggo laces changed without taking off your sneakers
The no-tie lacing system is a Proudly South African product whose design took seven years to perfect. Launched in October 2021, all R&D was done in South Africa by local industrial designers. The manufacturing, boxes for packaging and finally packing of the boxes is done by companies based in South Africa, creating more employment and taking South Africa forward in the field of innovation.
Ttweggo is all set to become a global brand! ■
