The Details Matter: How I Built KNOTTY, and Why Shoelaces Became My Obsession

Sneaker culture has always obsessed over the big things.

The shoe.
The silhouette.
The colourway.

But the longer I stayed around sneakers, the more I realised something — the real magic lives in the details.

I’m Raghav Bhargava, founder of KNOTTY, and this brand started from a very personal frustration. I loved sneakers, but I hated how limited self-expression became once everyone owned the same pairs. Two people could wear the same Jordans, the same colourway, styled the same way — and no one questioned it.

That never sat right with me.

Why KNOTTY Exists

KNOTTY wasn’t built to replace sneakers.
It was built to complete them.

Shoelaces are the most underrated sneaker accessory of all time. They’re the first thing you touch, the first thing you see, and somehow the last thing brands cared about for years. I wanted to change that — by treating laces not as afterthoughts, but as design objects.

Everything we make is meant to change the stance of your shoe, not scream for attention.

My Favourite KNOTTY Laces (The Ones I Actually Wear)

People often ask me what my personal favourites are — not what sells the most, but what I genuinely lace up my own sneakers with.

Here’s the honest answer.

1. Wired Rope Laces — Structure Over Chaos

Wired rope laces were one of the first products where I felt, “Yeah, this is different.”
They hold shape. They don’t collapse. They give sneakers a cleaner, sharper look.

If I had to pick one pair:
👉 Cream Wired Rope Shoelaces
https://getknotty.in/products/wired-rope-cream-shoelaces

They work insanely well on Air Force 1s, Jordan 1s, even chunky New Balance silhouettes. Once you wear wired laces, regular laces feel… unfinished.

2. Reflective Laces — Function Meets Design

Reflective laces are misunderstood. People think they’re just for flash — they’re not.

They’re about movement, night wear, and subtle impact. During the day, they look clean. At night, they come alive.

My go-to:
👉 Black Rose Reflective Shoelaces
https://getknotty.in/products/black-rose-reflective-shoelaces

They’re understated, premium, and surprisingly versatile. Perfect example of how design doesn’t need to be loud to be noticed.

3. Gradient Laces — The KNOTTY Signature

If KNOTTY had a visual identity, it would be gradients.

Gradients allow colour without overpowering the sneaker. They add depth. They tell a story across the shoe instead of sitting flat.

Two favourites I rotate between:
👉 Ocean Surf Gradient Shoelaces (Blue–Green)
https://getknotty.in/products/ocean-surf-gradient-shoelaces-ocean-blue-green-premium-flat-sneaker-laces-by-knotty

👉 Firestarter Ombre Gradient Shoelaces (Black–Orange)
https://getknotty.in/products/firestarter-ombre-fade-shoelaces-black-orange-premium-flat-sneaker-laces-by-knotty

They completely change how a simple sneaker feels — without trying too hard.

My All-Time Favourite Sneakers (Collector Level)

My taste in sneakers leans heavily toward cultural relevance, not just hype.

If you know, you know.

• Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Red October” — Not just a sneaker, a moment in sneaker history.

• Air Jordan 1 Chicago (1985) — The blueprint. Everything traces back here.

• Nike SB Dunk Paris — Art, rarity, and storytelling combined into one shoe.

These are shoes collectors admire not because of resale prices alone, but because of what they represent. That same mindset influences how I think about KNOTTY — products that age well, feel intentional, and stay relevant.

Building KNOTTY From India

One thing I’m extremely proud of is that KNOTTY is built and manufactured in India.

From sourcing to production, we’ve focused on quality over shortcuts. The goal has never been to be the cheapest option — it’s to be the one people trust when they want to upgrade their sneakers properly.

What’s Next

I want KNOTTY to be the default thought.

You buy a new pair of sneakers — your next instinct should be,
“Alright, how am I going to KNOTTY these?”

Whether it’s laces, chains, charms, or future drops, the idea remains the same: give people the tools to express themselves.

Because in a world where everyone owns the same sneakers,
how you wear them is what actually matters.